Dealer For $32.00 my dealer lost a sale

[MessickFarmEqu]

For some reason, boat dealers, motorcycle dealers, and tractor dealers are in morbid fear that customers will some day be able to gain access to their cost.

The cost of the machine is peanuts compared to freight, setup charges, delivery costs, sales allowances and incenvites, volume rebates, etc,etc. There are many machines that we sell that we have over $2000 in parts and labor just to get the thing setup and out the door. There is no way that a customer is going to be able to figure this stuff out on their own. I'd say that my fear would be that someone would know enough to think that they really knew what the true cost was, yet not know all the parts to the equasion and inactuality be completly wrong.

 

[cast_and_blast]

The John Deere dealer where I bought the 4110 would not throw in a fender handle like the literature shows. Also said he would give me a deal on the mid mounted mower they had in stock. Turns out it wouldn't fit and offered a new one at near list price. Found a new mower at another dealer and when I put it on it was missing 2 metric washers and fasteners. Didn't know what size so I asked for them to be shipped. Dealer and John Deere service stated they were not needed and not included. I guess I'm supposed to listen to the top shields rattle while I mow the lawn.
I replaced my big tractor with a New Holland TC 55 DA ordered five weeks ago. Would like to have had a green one but I like good dealer service and they did not meet my expectations.

Ok, let's break this down...

1. 4110 literature shows two fender handles, dealer wouldn't provide one for free. Not sure if this is optional equipment, but it's fairly low cost. Hard to know the whole story on this one (how low was the price on the whole thing already, what was the process like to arrive a the selling price, etc.) without being there.

2. Deal on MMM, turns out it won't fit. Presuming this is a JD MMM going on a JD 4110, what kind of dealer wouldn't know what fits and what does not? That is problem #1. Poster doesn't say what the follow-up offer on a new MMM is (model, original price, offered price) so it's tough to say if it was a good offer or not - it's just said to be "near list price".

3. The MMM purchased at a different dealer was missing fasteners that JD claims to be "optional" and will not provide free of charge. Hmmm...are they shown on the parts list? Are they shown on the MMM schematic? Are they referenced in the installation or assembly instructions? If so, the dealer should provide them.

As far as JD dealers attitudes and service go, I can relate. I live just outside the Twin Cities and was shopping this summer for my JD2305 package. There are many (like 20) dealers within a 40 minute drive and at least 5 within a 5-10 minute drive. My price quotes (from the 5 or 6 dealers I worked with)ranged from list price (~$15.8K) to my eventual purchase price ($13.7K). I called these dealerships and visited several of them - attitudes varied greatly! My hometown dealer was the one I really wanted to work with - they wouldn't even return phone calls. I stopped in during an "open house" and spoke with a salesman and the sales manager - I made it clear that I was buying in the next 2-3 weeks (this was back in July) and laid out exactly what I wanted in terms of equipment. They never even called me back (after giving them my business card and home phone number). They are big in the golf/turf portion of JD (although they still have plenty of tractors) and I was a small, small fish to them.

I should note, I had a similar experience with Kubota dealerships as I was also considering a 2350. Point is, don't limit this to JD or any other brand or even tractors - seems that folks have chimed in with plenty of stories from various purchases.

Find a dealership and service department that you like and try your best to work with them. If it doesn't work out, vote with your feet and go to your next option (next dealer, different brand, whatever works for you). These things cost a whole lot of money and, for most of us, we are not dependent on them to make a living. If you don't like the price, the dealer, the service and you cannot work it out - walk. There are plenty of good dealers and service establishments that will happily take care of you.

Good Luck!

Scott

 

[Maka]

Oranges and apples with the car comparisons. Not relevant in the whole cost thing at all. How many cars will the average guy buy in his life time, how many cars does a car dealer sell in a month? Hint, probably more cars in a month than tractors I sell in a year.

I want to give every customer a good deal but in our area we don't work on volumn. We have to make a fair profit to meet everyones needs including the customer down the road. We don't get big incentives back from factories.

As much as I would like to sell 800 tractors year I don't and won't, I can't because that market does not exist here. What do I do on the other end? We give fair and competitive pricing, excellent service (free pick up and return on any warranty need) loaners to customers making a living with their tractors, very good deals on implements, I pay well for good mechanics (hard to find), support local business and events, if a truck load of round bales goes on the highway I grab a tractor and clean it up for the ISP and on and on.

So, as stated earlier with some customers they are just not worth the trouble down the line. Again not saying the original poster is this but one post that said he comes in and states from the get go that if I make a profit he is not doing his job is a customer I will leave to another dealer to try and please. Due diligence is good but think about more than just the initial savings as it could cost more down the line than you realize.

The car comparison is not relevant.

Maka

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

This happened to me today. Its a GREAT example.

I sold a old used farmall to guy at our cost, I was very clear that we where not making a profit. He tried to beat me down on price about half a dozen times. I was very clear, cost is cost.. i am not selling you a tractor at a loss. After this we had two other offers on the tractor, both would have given us a profit - but I commited to this guy first. I drop the tractor off (40 miles away, for free). The guy has never had a machine, he cranked the batter dead because he had the kill switch on. Instead of charging the battery he goes out and buys a new battery. Now at this point he still has not paid for me this machine, I did not think it was a big deal because he is just 3-4 miles from a 2nd store we have. So yesterday the guy comes in to pay for the machine, he goes in with a check in hand for $40 LESS than the agreeded upon price, throws the check on the salesmens desk and walks out saying that this is what he is paying because he had to get a battery (that was just replaced 2-years ago to begin with).

Some people are simply jerks and they think they can push you around. This guy may have gotten his $40, but if he comes back for anything else in reguards to this machine I'm certianly not bending over backwards to help. Why do I want to provide service to someone like this when its very clear all he is intersted in is $$$ and not in having us provide equipment, service, and a well rounded experience with the product he bought.

 

[cast_and_blast]

Oranges and apples with the car comparisons. Not relevant in the whole cost thing at all. How many cars will the average guy buy in his life time, how many cars does a car dealer sell in a month? Hint, probably more cars in a month than tractors I sell in a year.

I want to give every customer a good deal but in our area we don't work on volumn. We have to make a fair profit to meet everyones needs including the customer down the road. We don't get big incentives back from factories.
So, as stated earlier with some customers they are just not worth the trouble down the line. Again not saying the original poster is this but one post that said he comes in and states from the get go that if I make a profit he is not doing his job is a customer I will leave to another dealer to try and please. Due diligence is good but think about more than just the initial savings as it could cost more down the line than you realize.

The car comparison is not relevant.

Maka

From a consumer standpoint, it is relevant. Whether I'm buying a house, a car, a tractor it's relevant to understand the market for such goods. Do I need to know the cost? No. Do I need to know the market value? Yes, it would be in my best interest as a consumer.

If a dealer is not pricing their goods at "market value" then they either need to add significant value (or consumer perceived value) in other areas (i.e. service, parts) or I doubt they'll sell much of their goods. Plain and simple economics that apply to buying a bagel or buying a house (or a tractor).

Scott

 

[Dargo]

Oranges and apples with the car comparisons. Not relevant in the whole cost thing at all.

Um, you obviously weren't paying attention in class. I clearly noted that people buy autos more often than they do tractors. Sorry you seem to take offense, but selling is selling. There is no difference; period when it comes to selling and taking care of your customers. I made a special notation that boats and motorcycles are seasonal and that tractor buyers do not trade as often as auto buyers. Hopefully you pay more attention to your customers.

 

[JimParker]

Oranges and apples with the car comparisons. Not relevant in the whole cost thing at all...

...We have to make a fair profit to meet everyones needs including the customer down the road. We don't get big incentives back from factories...

...We give fair and competitive pricing, excellent service (free pick up and return on any warranty need) loaners to customers making a living with their tractors, very good deals on implements, I pay well for good mechanics (hard to find), support local business and events, if a truck load of round bales goes on the highway I grab a tractor and clean it up for the ISP and on and on...

...Due diligence is good but think about more than just the initial savings as it could cost more down the line than you realize.

The car comparison is not relevant.

Maka, you sound like the kind of dealer I want to do business with. I'm not trying to get a "steal", but just to know what I'm getting for my money. If you need to make $500 per tractor, $2000 per tractor, or $5000 per tractor to stay in business, then that is "your" minimum selling point, right? I would just like to be able to walk in, say "What's the best deal you can make me on the JD3320 of my dreams?", get an honest answer, and make a decision.

The dealer nearest to me has been excellent in most aspects. There's one sales rep who has been there for a long, long time (at least 10+ years that I've been dealing with them). When I spoke to him, I told him what I needed, what models I was considering (3120), and asked his advice on several things. He gave me good advice (based on feedback from this forum) and suggested that I consider both the 3203 (for slightly less money) and the 3320 (for only about $300 more than equivalent 3120 config). He also gave me a "what they would sell it for" price for 3203, 3120, 3320, 3520, and 3720 (just for 'dreaming' purposes). He also gave me their price for MMM, RFM, BB, and other implements I was considering. All the prices he quoted me appear to be imminently fair (better than most I've seen posted on the forum), and I am reasonably comfortable with moving forward... except...

Last time I went by (to look specifically at the HD vs STD bucket for the FEL), a different saleman came out to talk to me (my guy was at their booth at the State Fair of Texas). This guy quoted me completely different prices (way higher), and almost accused me of lying when I said the other guy had quoted a lower price. He said (and I quote) "We couldn't stay in business selling stuff at those prices." Hmmm...

So which is it? Was I being "sandbagged" by my long-time sales guy, or is the new guy full of hot air? I'm assuming the latter until proven otherwise! But you can see how this makes the customer uncomfortable, right? To me, more knowledge is ALWAYS a good thing.

 

[Maka]

OK, good. There is a Kubota dealer in my area who charges list or better in some cases. Because he had a lock on the market he charged what the market would bear. Shall I now come in at list, still be less and know I can get much more? No, just because the market bears does not mean I can fleece people. By the way, that same dealer lost several local government bids to me, many many sales and has now sold his business as I understand.

Fair price is fair price. You don't have to take people because you can but you also don't have be abused by people.

Maka

 

[MrJimi]

Sounds like buying plywood in Florida after or just before a hurricane.
Jim

 

[Maka]

Thanks Jim. Since I am one of the owners I know what I can and can't do. Neil made a great analagy about how sometimes you just can't please some people. I am not unreasonable and if all go back and read I have posted that I do not accuse the original poster of these things and I only got in when a poster said he states going in that is the dealer makes a profit he did not do a good job.

It has gone from there. Dargo, one question for you. Do you work for free? If so come on down here. I have lots of implements that need to be put together, tractors PDI's, deliveries to be made, machines that need to be washed, inventory to be taken, service to be done etc. I was paying attention and I still content the same point I have tried to clearly make all along.

As a dealer I want happy customers, want to be known for giving the best service, want to be a man of my word, want to be a good employeer. I try but have to be able to make some money to do so. I think most here are reasonable and understand so I will let this go.

And Dargo you state "Hopefully you pay more attention to your customers."

I rarely toot my own horn but here is this one since you tend to lean to the lack of class side more often than not. You could try and make points without throwing insults. I have been the number 1 dealer two years in a row now for our brand. Not just in my area, but in the U.S. and Canada.

My customers send friends and family so I do take care of them quit well. Guys, I will let this one go since it is digressing quickly thanks to Dargo.

Maka