FC vs. Woods

[Anonymous Poster]

I have just spoken to my local dealer, and he stated a FC salesman had been in a few months ago and dropped off a few RFM's and they were "not impressed". They claimed they were not of the quality that they expected and still had a few lying around. They claimed the Woods was a much better implement.
I thought they just released their RFM / rotary cutters?? Is this possible?? Could they have an earlier model?? Please let me know the difference between a FC 5' rotary and a Woods 5' rotary....please.

 

[BrettW]

more profit on a higher priced mower, plain and simple.

 

[woodyed]

Dazed,
Did you see for yourself these few FC's that he claimed that he had laying around? If so, what was your impression of the quality and workmanship? I'm assuming that you have already seen the Wood's rotary mowers, and can make a comparision.

 

[tdenny]

There are several testimonials and photos out here on the RFM made by First Choice. Do a search on First Choice and you'll find tons of info. As mentioned by BrettW they make more money on the Woods so they would normally push them.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I have seen many of the posts, and have heard people rave about them. I have seen pictures,(which look very nice), but have not had the "touch-n-feel" experience yet. I have contacted FC by email for a dealer nearby, but have yet to hear back. (Jim & Peiter - if your listening...).
More imprtantly however, is the point that these have "just been released"??? Is it possible for the dealer to have stock from the spring if these were just made available (as I understand it)???
Can I get more information on the FC product line quickly??? (I have been on the website). I need to make a purchase in the next 2-3 weeks and would like to make an informed decision.
You all have been so helpful with advice that I used for my tractor purchase. I have heard so many positive things here about FC - I JUST CAN"T GET MY HANDS ON ONE TO SEE!!!

 

[Golfgar4]

Based on what I understand, you won't get your hands on one, unless someone who has purchased one will contact you and let you look at it. FC is so new, that they are still in the process of setting up a dealer network. They are supposed to publishing a dealer list fairly soon, but probably not soon enough to help you. About the only place you could go to find their products is right to their location in N.C.

I know it's hard to make a decision without seeing the product. But based on the comments here on TBN, and the responses that Jim and Pieter have given to various questions and comments, if I were in your shoes, I'd buy First Choice in a heartbeat. Everything tells me that they are offering a quality product at a very reasonable rate. And being new, you know they will bend over backwards to make sure that each customer is completely satisfied. The only down side, and it is only temporary, is the process that is needed to order and receive the product.

My only real concern is that when I am ready to purchase implements for my tractor, FC hasn't gotten so big that they lose their "friendliness" and concern for quality at a reasonable price.

 

[JimMc]

Thus far, we have shipped thousands of RFM's over a period of some 3 years. Demand is great. Dazed, if you would be so kind as to email me again I will do my best locate a local outlet.

Pieter and I must apologize. In recent days we have been travelling, so please forgive us if we haven't communicated in a timely manner.

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

For what it's worth, I can't imagine a salesman "dropping off a few RFM's" unless he just happened to be driving a semi loaded with RFM's (rotary finish mowers). At minimum I'd think he'd have to have been pulling a gooseneck trailer of some sort. That story they told you seems questionable at best.

As to the question of when the equipment was available, I think I might be able to offer an explanation for you. I believe the RFM's have been in production for a while. I know the rotary mowers/brush hogs/bush hogs/slashers/choppers just went into production earlier this month. Maybe that will at least put an end to part of the confusion.

 

[Kodiak]

Mr. Dazed:

I bought my First choice GM30-72 rear dicharge rear finish mower in April. And it appears that I was one of the first members of TBN to purchase a First Choice product. At the time I was negotiating on a brand new TC29. My New Holland dealer is also a big Woods dealer. ( included with my tractor order was a new Woods 1012 loader and Woods 7500 backhoe) Woods does make some very good products. My dealer was trying to sell me a new Woods RFM72 with the deal. And yet the best price he would give on the Woods mower was $1,855, not to my liking. Plus here in the Pacific Northwest, where you mow a lot of wet grass, I was looking for a more open rear deck design. So I was more interested in a deck like the Landpride FDR2572. However they were running approximitely the same price as the Woods. Then I found a post here on TBN describing the deal that another member had made on a new First Choice RFM. So I called Pieter and he mase arrangements to ship one out disasembled to my driveway, sight unseen. Let me say here that at the time First Choice didn't have any dealers in Washington State. In fact it is over 900 miles to the nearest dealer. Anyway I received the mower in only 4 days, Put it together and have been completely satisfied with ever since. As I have said in previous post, it is an almost an exact clone Of a Landpride FDR2572 with a few improvements. And at a perhaps 2/3 the price of the either the Landpride or the Woods. I also use mine commercialy and most weeks it gets between 25 and 30 hours put on it. I grease it once a week and keep the underneath washed off after mowing in wet conditions. (you going to love that powder coat finish, much better than paint) The only problem I have had, was one flat tire, that was my fault for taking it somewhere it shouldn't have been. Other than that nothing, nada,zip, I couldn't have ask for anything more reliable. I took the chance and bought sight unseen, with no regrets.

Peiter and Jim I hope your monitoring this.

P.S. Mr. dazed if you take time to fill out more of your profile. Especially giving us some idea of what part of the country you are in, maybe another one of the TBN members can show you his First Choice RFM, or where to find one close bt.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I have updated my profile. My only concern is the relationship with my dealer not be compromised. I know they monitor this discussion forum and can put 2 & 2 together. May not pre-empt me from buying from them anyway, just tell them what I want....possibly a FC. I need to hear from Jim & Peiter, I have emailed Jim.