How Much is a Local Dealer Worth?

[SRMN8R]

I'm finally ready to make my first new tractor purchase. After much research and thought, I have decided to go new, which brings the added factor of the dealer to the equation.

My local dealer is only 10 miles or so from my primary home. That's awesome! Now for the monkey wrench in the plan! My local dealer is going to cost me almost 10% more than a dealer an hour away.

So, my question is: What value do you place on a very convenient dealer versus one who is "across town"?

- J

PS: Thanks to the TBN community for all the information that has helped me in my decision making process to date!

 

[Katahdin]

How do you value your tractor up-time? I think worst case is the local dealer could make you wait while he takes care his buying customers first, but that dealer won't turn down an opportunity to make some revenue on either a warranty, or off-warranty repair. In the case of the warranty repair, its the tractor maker that flips the repair bill.

 

[brain55]

It really depends on the local dealer. A crappy dealer 10 miles away is still a crappy dealer. Many here will tell you that after the initial purchase if you do your own maintenance you don't ever need to see your dealer again. You can buy everything you need online. Which is true a majority of the time. Not every tractor is problem free. Warranty issues do come up. A good dealer will make you forget there was even a problem. A bad dealer will have you regretting your purchase for a very long time. I'm very much a buy local and build a relationship with your dealer kind of guy, but I was a mechanic in a tractor dealer for 12 years. I enjoyed getting to know customers. Right or wrong more effort goes into the repairs of a known customer vs one you've never seen.

Brian

 

[Thomas]

"My local dealer is going to cost me almost 10% more than a dealer an hour away. "

Why is that?

The dealer w/good attitude also service would get my vote.

 

[TSO]

I drove 9 hours each way to get my Massey, because my nearest dealer (and pretty much every dealer in my state) didn't have the tractor I wanted, or couldn't touch the price once they traded to get it.

I like the idea of buying local, but not if it's going to cost me more. I figure, if the price of my fuel, and the price of my time/hassle is STILL cheaper than buying local & worth buying "abroad", then shame on my local dealer for not working harder to earn the sale.

Besides, warranty work pays the dealerships the same, regardless of where you bought it.

 

[kw22614]

Another consideration is if you have your own trailer to transport the tractor to and from the dealer for any work - warranty or not. I think all dealers charge transport costs other than the free delivery charge when you first buy it. I'd check both the close and farther dealers and see how much transport charges would be also see how much their mobile repair charge is too for the smaller things needing done. In my neck of the woods 1 hour is not really that far. Most folks in these parts measure travel in time not miles anyway. My dealer (about 45 min away) gave me the best deal on my tractor I could find in about a 100mi radius of home, but their parts costs are higher than I can order online w/shipping. I had to take tractor back once for warranty work(where I saved $150 transport fee because I have my own trailer)and their repair was WAY substandard. I complained enough so they sent their mobile repair mechanic to fix their initial fix(at no add'l cost to me). With me looking over his shoulder and asking loads of questions it got done correctly. Do an online search of both the dealers for customer satisfaction. The ideal situation would be to buy at the lowest cost, order all maint fluids, filters and parts online and do(at least most)your own maintainence. I think around the Richmond area there are lots of dealers. Good luck and let us know how it goes. KW

 

[SRMN8R]

Don't know why Thomas. I sat down w/ the co-owner and his best cash price was 10% higher than another dealer. I've been told that the "other dealer" is selling high volume and is decimating the prices of the other dealers in the area.

 

[SRMN8R]

I appreciate the input from everyone.

I'll prayerfully consider it, and sleep on it, but I think I'm going with the lower cost dealer. An hour drive isn't too intrusive, and I do plan on doing my own maintenance. With any good fortune, I won't have to visit the dealer post-purchase.

Again, my thanks to you all.

 

[kcflhrc]

I bought 80 miles away. Had probably 10 dealers closer. This guy was the cheapest and the nicest I talked to. Never set foot in the dealership. Did everything over the phone and they delivered the tractor and saved me $2,400. Had 2 dealers tell me that was below cost and there must be something wrong. Nope, same tractor.

 

[davrow]

...An hour drive isn't too intrusive...

No, it isn't. My closest dealer is further away than that!

I paid about $350 extra to buy local, though. Dealer with a better price is about 8-10 hours away in another state.