Here we go!

bugstruck · Dec 3, 2004

Was on my way to pick up the financing check on a used 2003 TC 35DA with FEL and hoe. Had asked three (other)dealers for their best and final early this week on new models, the used unit still looked attractive after they responded. Called the same three earlier today to thank them for their time and efforts and give them the bad news. About 3:00 all **** broke loose. My cell phone didn't stop ringing until I was two blocks from picking up my finance check and finally!!! the Kubota dealer came to his senses and put a deal on the table I don't think I can refuse. So I apoligized to my banker for his efforts, called the used tractor dealer and did the same. Heres to offer:
L3130 HST
BH 90 hoe
LA 723 loader
filled R4 tires

25,000.00 before tax.

Looks like the Md. comptroller is going to get his piece of this deal too. After considering the sales tax on this unit, the warranty, and the fact that it didn't have 300 hours on it... the deal looks awful attractive. I'm going to Kubota land in the morning unless someone can convince me otherwise. Here's your chance!.... And I was waiting till Spring! /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Rumors of a possible fairly sizable price increase for some of the 2005 models got me moving. The used units are already riding the coat tails of the steel cost price wave suffered by some of the new units.

Taking time.... to thank ALL of the good people up here for their thoughts and insight. Very, very helpful! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif I know at least one member who PM'd me who will be super grateful I didn't go NH. Must admit though, I still think they're very good machines.

If this goes thru it will be question time again, no doubt.

Regards,

Chris

LMTC · Dec 4, 2004

( So I apoligized to my banker for his efforts, called the used tractor dealer and did the same. ) Does this mean you had a verbal deal with the used tractor dealer and backed out of it?

Bird · Dec 4, 2004

( Does this mean you had a verbal deal with the used tractor dealer and backed out of it? )

Wayne, I think you're thinking the same thing I am. I don't blame Chris for wanting the new tractor, but once I make a deal, whether in writing or orally, it's done. There's been a time or two I regretted the deal I made, or found a better one later, but no way can I back out, whether I'm the buyer or the seller.

thcri · Dec 4, 2004

( I know at least one member who PM'd me who will be super grateful I didn't go NH. Must admit though, I still think they're very good machines.)

I don't know who that person was, but I am sure grateful I went with New Holland. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

bugstruck · Dec 4, 2004

Ok guys I hear your angst. 10 years ago I would have been right on board with your thinking. I guess these days it's the Project Manager's real world experience in me, knowing how many deals I've had pulled after a verbal that make me not too unsettled over this. I work in a business with professionals on all sides. They are not the roughsters that some these guys in the tractor business are, and sometimes another Contractor submarines a number in at they very last minute (after all bids are closed but prior to project award) and knocks me out of contention. If I get upset over that I better find another line of work. In the end it is just other decent PM's doing their job to protect their firm and their employees who are banking on that Friday afternoon check. It's no small responsibility. It's a tough world.

As for the the dealer with the used tractor... he didn't hold to his initial agreement either. He agreed in that he could do the deal at $21,500.00 if the tractor had not sold in a the next couple of days, then in final negotiations, Thursday, decided after having just come from another dealer (and just then noticing) /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif that he had quoted me too low and needed another 495.00 (than he had needed on Tuesday) to make the deal happen. Perhaps I should have walked then, but it was still a sensible price. He seems a truely decent guy.

I have a soft spot for salesman you see, it's a big component of what I do. Know what, I didn't like the tactics it but I know he was sincere. He was agonizing that he had gone to low. So the deal was still fluid in my mind. Was it going to change again when I got there? Don't think so, but it shouldn't have changed from Tuesday.

I don't think anyone got hurt here.

Your initial comments are well grounded in the absolutely right kind of thinking. Wish the world still worked that way. It did when I was younger. Handshake or verbal and done.

I don't deserve and certainly wouldn't expect any apologies. But the dealer I seemingly absconded from surely got one! A very sincere and good one. It wasn't his fault either. He has people he is responsible for too. I wish him well.

As for my banker.... Charlie is one very good guy. I went to close the financing knowing the deal was dead. He's only 10 minutes away (dealer was 2.5 hours). Made my apologies, realized he and his son have bought 12 tractors from the Kubota dealer I'm buying from and chatted awhile. He's friends with the guys there. The World may be different but it's still small. As for the dealer who lost. He and the misses get a gift certificate and he still gets a sale (implement) down the road. So I guess after having rationalized it all, I still fell a little guilty and still have that soft spot for salesman.

The mission was accomplished gentlemen before you started it..you see.

Sincerely,

Chris

LMTC · Dec 4, 2004

( As for the the dealer with the used tractor... he didn't hold to his initial agreement either. He agreed in that he could do the deal at $21,500.00 if the tractor had not sold in a the next couple of days, then in final negotiations, Thursday, decided after having just come from another dealer (and just then noticing) that he had quoted me too low and needed another 495.00 (than he had needed on Tuesday) to make the deal happen. Perhaps I should have walked then, but it was still a sensible price. He seems a truely decent guy. )

Sounds as if you had justification to walk at the point he added $495, but if you accepted it and then later abrogated, you broke the deal. ( So the deal was still fluid in my mind. ) Rationalize all you like. This dealer may have passed another potential sale on the unit once you had made your deal. I do know how the "real world" works, and it does so ONLY because people continually surrender to convenience and immediate desire.

At least you have an awareness that this is not a good thing to do, but I could not sanction it. We are each responsible for the choices we make, and ultimately it is our collective choices and behaviors that make the world work the way it does. Your decision here helped assure that the world will continue to work the way it does, despite your lament. ( Wish the world still worked that way. ) I will walk away from this now, as I have said my piece.

RoyJackson · Dec 4, 2004

I think this thread ought to close.
The man made the deal he made...and anyone of us would have done the same thing if a better deal came along.

You gents are playing Monday morning quarterback...totally a nonvalue-added activety.

GregMVT · Dec 5, 2004

Just my $.02, I think Chris made the best deal from him. After having got burned on the purchase of two used trucks from different dealers I'm a firm believer that the deal isn't done until all the paperwork is signed. A salesmans job is to sell, but it's me that has to pay the bill. Maybe tractor dealers are a different breed, I certainly don't have a problem with where I bought my machine, I dealt with the owner.

sweettractors · Dec 5, 2004

This dealer may have passed another potential sale on the unit once you had made your deal. I do know how the "real world" works, and it does so ONLY because people continually surrender to convenience and immediate desire. 

LMTC. As a dealer for almost 30 years, I can tell you, from past experience, that in todays world, the customer cannot be depended on to follow thru on what he tells a dealer. I talk with many other dealers across the country on a regular basis and they tell me that this type customer behavior is commonplace and almost to the point of being a inside joke. Common "Fibs" told to dealers" 1. I want that unit for that agreed price and I will be back next week to pick it up. 2. If you special order a specific unit for me with no down payment, we have a deal. 3. I will call you tommorrow and let you know what the wife and I have decided. 4. If you can help get my financing approved, we have a deal. 5. I am going to buy "today". 6. I have brought my trailer with me and I am going home with a tractor. 7. I will call you back before I purchase from another dealer.
In the early days a mans word was his bond and today it seems there are all sorts of reasons to justify telling a "fib". I am betting that the dealer that did not get the sale being discussed , is probably not too disturbed. For every 100 potential customers a dealer makes contact with in person or via phone or email, probably only about 2-3% result in closed sales. Most dealers in todays world have developed a tough skin and dont lose sleep over situations like this.--Ken Sweet

KiotiJohn · Dec 6, 2004

( I can tell you, from past experience, that in todays world, the customer cannot be depended on to follow thru on what he tells a dealer. )
Years ago when I workd in retail, we called those guys "be backs" and the saying was, "If they say they'll be back, they won't come back!" We never expected a sale from anyone who left without the goods. John