Don't Jump Into Decisions

[MossRoad]

Don\'t Jump Into Decisions

Over the last few years I've noticed quite a few people post a question requesting help with a "gut wrenching decision", such as which tractor to buy, what tranny, what tires, what brand... just about any subject, really, only to turn around and post one or two days later that they've made their decision and purchased X product. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

I don't know about the rest of you, but I took almost a year to research my tractor purchase. I can't imagine making a purchase of something that costs so much with only a couple days of thought. How about the rest of you? Do you generally take a lot of time, or just jump in the water and hope for the best? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Re: Don\'t Jump Into Decisions

Moss, I'll jump in on this and say my decisions DEPEND on what I'm buying.

From some of the threads I've started you can tell that I dig in, search, research and drive before doing anyting. Who makes the BEST garden tractor?

On the other hand, if I am buying something to play with, it not uncommon for me to see it and buy it, regardless of cost. I've bought some sports cars sight unseen.

I'm currently looking for something to restore, I won't say I'm buying it without research, but I'm not doing a lot of research either. I know I want a tracked vehicle. I know I want something fairly small. I know I don't want a real bulldozer. I love the 60's era Farmall crawler tractors but can't find one. I'm partial to Oliver-Cletracs because I'm a member of their collectors association. But I'm also looking at a nifty little John Deere crawler. And if I can find one in the US or Canada, I'd skip a tractor completely and buy a Snow Trac ST4 instead (I'm currently talking to 2 folks in Europe about theirs). So a JD? An Oliver? A Farmall? or a Swedish tracked ATV? I'll be happy with any of them, sight unseen with little research.
JD40 Crawler?

 

[Phils]

Re: Don\'t Jump Into Decisions

I guess I took only a month to decide on which "tractor" to get that suited my needs. There were two TBN members that guided my buying decision more than anything else.....

WAIT!!!! IT WAS YOU TWO!!

I don't know whether to thank you both for saving me the heartache of owning some mower bought from Lowes, or curse you because now EVERY good-weather day finds me on my PT performing some task that likely would've NEVER gotten done otherwise. My DW has adapted well, heading to town for shopping whenever it's going to be a "tractor work day" for me. She hasn't yet spent what the PT cost me, but she's working at it! I thought my lawyer would've contacted you both by now, as she found an obscure ruling.... OOPS... she said to not give it away until you're served.

Phil

 

[JDGREEN4ME]

Re: Don\'t Jump Into Decisions

I feel research is important to end up with what you really want. Sometimes I think people want someone else to tell them what they need. Economics play into this also in my opinion. If money is tight you really need to make sure you get what you need. Not that money is the answer but if you have more expendable income you can afford to be more spontaneous than someone who needs to be cautious. JMHO /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[JayC]

Re: Don\'t Jump Into Decisions

If I am going to buy something I research it then research it some more followed up with a healthy dose of research. I want to know the pros and cons and then some. I am horrible at making impulse decisions. I'll be there all day debating with myself if I should buy this or not. For me, research is the only way to go.

 

[bontai_Joe]

Re: Don\'t Jump Into Decisions

When I bought my first garden tractor in 1979, it was after pouring through catalogs, driving to many dealers, studying each feature, sitting on each and every machine. It took me 6 months. The internet makes information much easier to access, but I'd still probably spend 6-8 months deciding on something like a new CUT. I'd have to sit on them, study, etc, plus really evaluate the dealer for honesty, parts availability, service. I love my Deeres, but I'd would be compelled to check out the Cub, Kubotas, Massey Fergusons, Case, New Holland, Ford machines to be confident I truely got a machine that is comfortable for me to use and will do what I want. Money is too hard to come by to throw it at that expensive a mistake.

 

[Boondox]

Re: Don\'t Jump Into Decisions

I think some people wait to post their question till they've already made up their mind. Sort of seeking validation more than advice. Pete

 

[Poppa]

Re: Don\'t Jump Into Decisions

I 've never had a lot of problem deciding WHAT to buy. I can go through the available literature and word of mouth and decide pretty quickly the model or type of item I want. This goes for everything from shoes to houses.

What I always and I mean always struggle with is deciding if I want that item bad enough to part with the money for it. I just hate parting with the money and yes, that goes for all purchases from shoes to houses. In fact my wife swears it is easier to get me to buy a house than a new pair of shoes.


So, I end up spending a lot of time knowing exactly what I want but not knowing if I will ever get it. Frustrating but also keeps me out of the poor house.


Mike

 

[ByronBob]

Re: Don\'t Jump Into Decisions

I did it all wrong. I was building a house and didn't know what to get for the house to keep the lawn and driveway cleared. I fought with the idea of a truck and snowblower ect.. until someone mentioned a tractor.
Well I did some browsing and never even sat on a tractor before I made my purchase.

Nothing against JD but their prices on the web seemed high and the local Kubota dealer gave me a price which seemed good. My neighbor also had a B7800 which I asked him about and he loved it.

Didn't know of this site and I should have tested more tractors and dealt with more dealers ect..... but it's my mistake and I am living with it. I do love my bota but it's not the best (IMO) tractor for my needs but it'll do until the opportunity allows me to get something more to my needs.

I recognize the limits of the machine and do what I can with it. Most of the time it's not a problem. I'll be a bota fan for life now regardless. I still think like many have said here, it's the repoir with your dealer which goes a long way too.

 

[JazzDad]

Re: Don\'t Jump Into Decisions

Pete really hit it! I have posted a question after I pretty much made up my mind. But then I'll check with others get a "gee, what if I hadn't thought of something?" As long as a non-refundable down payment wasn't involved...

 

[BarryinMN]

Re: Don\'t Jump Into Decisions

I looked 2 years for a tractor mainly better defining size & lifting capability. I'm not into trading for incremental improvements so it was a one time puchase.

I bought a dozer in two weeks, granted it cost the same as a lawnmower, but the need was immediate. Only decision was an 8' pusher blade or 6 way landscape blade. I went with the landscape machine & the farmer I bought it from hooked on a backhoe & cleaned out the barn with boxes & skids of extra parts!

 

[JDgreen227]

Re: Don\'t Jump Into Decisions

"Just jump in the water and hope for the best...." /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Jeez, for the dollars you have to spend these days for any major purchase, and for the consequences you might live with for a rash decision...I think people who just take the plunge and hope are NUTS.

About a year ago I wanted to buy a basic desktop computer for my new home office, an $800 purchase but I researched the devil out of it, scanning consumer reviews, reading online opinion websites, talking to friends, and waiting for the best deal for my money. Took me two months, and was I happy with my choice...YES. Did I learn a lot during the process?
YES. Was it worth my time to carefully investigate and do research on an $800 purchase? YES YES YES.

Prior to buying my JD, I devoted about a year to checking out what was available and researching the various makes of tractors that met my needs and wants. This was before I learned about TBN, which was my loss. Still, I am very happy with my choice and will never regret my decision.

I have always felt if a person takes the time to investigate and think over a decision, be it major or minor, they are going to be a lot happier with their final outcome. I could tell you guys about my friend who married in haste without thinking things over first, or I could tell you about me, who took his time and married someone he is happy with after all these years.

Jump in...HECK NO.

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

Re: Don\'t Jump Into Decisions

<font color="blue"> I think people who just take the plunge and hope are NUTS. </font>

Hey! I represent that remark!! /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

Some of you may recall that I bought a bulldozer a while back. Here's how that happened.

I wasn't looking to buy a bulldozer. I had never even considered owning a bulldozer. I never shopped for a bulldozer. I knew nothing of values or 'options' on bulldozers. I didn't even know there was going to be a bulldozer for sale that day.

I was there. I saw it. I figured it was something I could and would use. A guy I knew had it for sale there. I asked and he told me it was a good one. I bid on it and bought it. He was kind enough to deliver it for me. I learned how to start and operate it watching him unload it. I never even sat on it until I owned it and it was at my place.

"NUTS?" I've been called worse by family. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

If you came and offered my twice what I paid for it today with the proviso that I could never own another one, I'd tell you to keep your money. This thing is GREAT!

 

[riptides]

Re: Don\'t Jump Into Decisions

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( to turn around and post one or two days later that they've made their decision and purchased X product. )</font>

Some minds and the decision process work faster than others.
Time is relative.

-Mike Z. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Re: Don\'t Jump Into Decisions

I think it is easy for a lot of people to make up their minds on the hydro vs gear debate and such, it is a simple thing like ease of use. Most homeowners will jump at a Hydro because it is so easy to use and more or less idiot proof. They do not have to worry about having it in the right gear and such or leaving the tractor in gear when you take your foot off the clutch to hop off for a second. So if that is their major decision, it is an easy one if you hop on the two machines. Now if they are trying to decide about options on a $50k machine then they will be there a lot longer unless they know what they need and want. Most buyers on this site start as lurkers so they might have been researching all this time and when they finally get the bug to buy they don't need much more time.

I am simple though, I know what I need and how much of it I need. I go to my dealer, tell him and he orders the machine for me. Basicly, I tell him, I have this much money, I need this machine with this, this, this and this and you need to keep it under this amount. Usually I can't get much for my $19.95 but every now and then Ertl has a new tractor for me to buy there /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[MossRoad]

Re: Don\'t Jump Into Decisions

Bob,
I think Phil is calling us on the carpet! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif As for your crawler decisions, you have at least some background knowledge and some experience with equipment. That's a lot more than some of the folks asking these types of questions.

Phil,
I plead the fifth.

Pete,
I'm thinking you've probably hit the nail on the head.

ByronBob,
You are an honest person. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Gary,
Gary, Gary, Gary... /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Riptides,
<font color="blue"> Some minds and the decision process work faster than others. </font>
I think there's a poke at my mental quickness in there somewhere. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Thanks for the responses, folks! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif