Feeling bad for my local dealer

[tydp]

Ouch!!!

And here I thought I owned a brand name tractor.

You just ruined my whole weekend.

Dougster

Sorry, I meant no offense. I took the statement "As someone that uses and owns a "brand" tractor, I am a little offended by this, but we don't want to get a brand war going here, nor do I think you at all mean to be offensive." from Dave himself (just changed off-brand to brand). I felt that if he could be offened so could I - it works both ways. Have a good weekend......

 

[DavesTractor]

This statement is exactly what one might expect from an "off-brand" dealer.

Hmmm, I suspect you are being a little bit humorous and having a little bit of fun with me. I'm ok with that. With over 300 off-brand tractors in stock, I'll just try harder.

In all seriousness, my earlier comment was not meant to be offensive. I was making a point that you should like, basically stating that the dealer network is very important and that Mahindra is not where the Big 3 are, at least not yet. It takes years and years, perhaps decades to get to that point. It is a worthy goal. We already have a great product.

As to whether Mahindra can be extra selective, I guess it depends on the region. If they are pushing into an area where they have very little presence, they will likely have to start small. If going into an area where Mahindra is already strong. they can be and should be more fussy.

 

[DavesTractor]

Sorry, I meant no offense. I took the statement "As someone that uses and owns a "brand" tractor, I am a little offended by this, but we don't want to get a brand war going here, nor do I think you at all mean to be offensive." from Dave himself (just changed off-brand to brand). I felt that if he could be offened so could I - it works both ways. Have a good weekend......

tydp, I get it now. I thought that quote sounded familiar...well done my friend!

 

[MajMac392]

A former local JD dealer spent a lot of time with me when I was looking for a tractor several years ago. I had been by his place for years but not in a buying mode. As I remember he met me one day he was normally closed to show me the JD 70 series. For one reason or another we didn't do business but he was very customer oriented. A logger told me, that a few years prior he had had a problem with a skidder that died and he needed a replacement right then. He called the dealer I went to and the dealer went to the worksite, brought him the skidder he needed, etc. This same, in my opinion, outstanding JD dealer, finally quit selling the JD brand when JD tried to impose some new rules on the stock he carried, sold, etc. He had actually two dealerships and JD got him mad enough to drop the line and go with another brand. The losers here were obviously the customer base the dealer have built up over the years but also JD corporate as well. Now he sells Challengers.

 

[wright1]

I too received a letter from my dealer here in southeast Pa. I had no complaints whatsoever about his service. He replaced a bad PTO seal on my 2810hst under warranty and did my 50 and 100 hour services the same week I called. I'm guessing the reason for low sales is his location, It's a little out of the way compared to the orange and green guys. I was almost ready to buy orange, but something held me back. I had never heard of Mahindra until I saw his ad in the paper and took a look. I liked what I saw, more tractor for the money. The dealer was a tractor mechanic all his life, easy to deal with, so it was an instant sale. My nearest Mahindra dealer is now 40 miles away. Had that been the case when I was buying a tractor, Mahindra would not have had a sale. If Mahindra thinks they have a chance in Southeast Pa., they are going about it the wrong way. No one I know is going to drive that far in our locally heavy traffic and pass a dozen dealers of different brands, to look at a tractor that most people around here have never even heard of. I would think they would have had another dealership established before they ditch the little guy. To me, any sale is better then no sale.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

If Mahindra thinks they have a chance in Southeast Pa., they are going about it the wrong way. No one I know is going to drive that far in our locally heavy traffic and pass a dozen dealers of different brands, to look at a tractor that most people around here have never even heard of. I would think they would have had another dealership established before they ditch the little guy. To me, any sale is better then no sale.

I can speak to this as a dealer in south east PA. The market around here is SO saturated with New Holland, Kubota and Deere dealers that it causes the margins from the "big 3" dealers to be increadibly tight. If people shop around here, you'll find several well established main line dealers who are able to sell established brands for less money than any startup could sell a minor brand. Its kinda like KIA trying to get break into a market where you can buy a BMW for less money. You'll find that the minor brands tend to do the best in area's where the volumes are lower, margins higher, and dealers smaller. Now if one of these established dealers picked up a Mahindra or Kioti they could probably do some good business. I think most of us shy away because of the perception from our farm customers.

 

[Dougster]

Sorry, I meant no offense. I took the statement "As someone that uses and owns a "brand" tractor, I am a little offended by this, but we don't want to get a brand war going here, nor do I think you at all mean to be offensive." from Dave himself (just changed off-brand to brand). I felt that if he could be offened so could I - it works both ways. Have a good weekend......

Didn't realize it was an inside joke kind of thang. I didn't even realize that Dave was a Mahindra dealer. No offense really taken. I love my Mahindra and nothing is going to easily shake me on that.

Dougster

 

[Willman]

I too received a letter from my dealer here in southeast Pa. I had no complaints whatsoever about his service. He replaced a bad PTO seal on my 2810hst under warranty and did my 50 and 100 hour services the same week I called. I'm guessing the reason for low sales is his location, It's a little out of the way compared to the orange and green guys. I was almost ready to buy orange, but something held me back. I had never heard of Mahindra until I saw his ad in the paper and took a look. I liked what I saw, more tractor for the money. The dealer was a tractor mechanic all his life, easy to deal with, so it was an instant sale. My nearest Mahindra dealer is now 40 miles away. Had that been the case when I was buying a tractor, Mahindra would not have had a sale. If Mahindra thinks they have a chance in Southeast Pa., they are going about it the wrong way. No one I know is going to drive that far in our locally heavy traffic and pass a dozen dealers of different brands, to look at a tractor that most people around here have never even heard of. I would think they would have had another dealership established before they ditch the little guy. To me, any sale is better then no sale.

He is a super nice guy and easy to deal with, also very experienced.
Always had an ad in the paper every week.
Even though his location was off the beaten path he usually seemed to have a decent selection of new Mahindras on the lot.
He was very enthusiastic about the Mahindra brand.

 

[turfaire]

Hate to hear that about that Mahindra Dealer, we had the same thing happen but on the manufacturing side of the house. We made the mid-mount decks for Mahindra, and when we called to tell them we had the rest of their order ready they said they changed their mind.

We are going to still take care of the Mahindra dealers and users though by providing decks and parts to the dealers, and direct to the user if their delaer does not want to order it. We always support the dealer though, and if a dealer is in your area we will only sell to them.

Jason B Bour
Bishop Enterprises Inc Bell Buckle, TN

 

[Woodbeef]

Could it be that there are too many dealers too close together?