How's The New Deere Commercial Zero Turns?

[gamble77]

They haven't directly given me a reason but a company must protect its interest and the fewer competitors you have the better...especially in stores that have your product...that is just good business sense!!

I know what it is like selling multiple product lines...and I don't care what you say but 90% of the time the question of "which one would you pick and why" comes up and though you can try and try to not put down each product eventually to make a sale you are going to have to recommend one. And bottom line is a zero turn is a zero turn and a 30hp compact is a 30hp compact. Deere reconized that their salesmen being able to focus on only their product has value...its just good business sense for them.

 

[wkpoor]

Actually I never have understood why a dealer would carry multiple brands for the very reasons mentioned. Unless a customer comes in knowing exactly what he/she wants to buy, the salesman is put on the spot and chances are he will recommend what will make him the most money or what he is told to promote. Obviously they will promote green stuff.
I look at Deere and the ZTR market kind of like the them selling JD chainsaws. They are simply saws rebadged in hopes of selling them under the Deere name. Anyone wanting a real chainsaw would go to a dealer who sells proven quality professional grade saws in the color they were meant to be.

 

[gamble77]

wkpoor I agree with you about the chainsaws! Deere looks at it from the standpoint if they make a machine that is truly class leading there should be no in-line competition in their dealerships...that is why Deere dealers mainly carry Deere tractors, hay equip, mowers, etc. Obviously with Deere re-badging their hand helds they know they dont have a strong enough product there to ask dealers to go exclusively Deere.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

Actually I never have understood why a dealer would carry multiple brands for the very reasons mentioned.

Simple. Because a single company does not do everything the best. We sell three lines of zero turns. Kubota because their diesels are built the heaviest and price extremely well, Ferris for guys who like ride. They do well in the 6-9,000 range, and a Cub Cadet for residential. No single brand will cover the entire range. We'd not be serving our customers with a one size fits all approach.

... do be careful with the Deere chainsaws, checkout consumer reports and you'll see why. They where the worst brand ratted for reliability with a 25% repair rate. Any dealer would be better off selling another line, but they don't seem to have the option to sell a better product than momma green.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

I'll finish highjacking this thread. You guys' knowledge of JD chainsaws must come from Messick's handy pocket factbook.

I can easily recommend a JD/Efco chainsaw to anyone. We have 2. CS40 and CS56.

They are over 5 years old and I haven't had a single problem. I've put 1 spark plug in the CS40. Used them to help clear and trim almost 300 oak trees on our 26 acres and cut about a cord per year of firewood. Have gone thru at least 10-15 chains and 1 bar on each, and they keep on truckin'. We also have a Shindaiwa which I'd also highly recommend. JD saws are made by Efco in Italy and Northern Tool now sells Efco's with the most warranty I've ever seen in a chain saw. 5 years for consumer, 2 commercial.

They used to be cheaper than they cost nowadays. I would have been hesitant to pay so much as they cost now but I can attest, they are great saws. I used to work in the largest chainsaw dealer in our area and we sold Stihl, Jonsered, and Poulan amongst others. These saws are high quality and I don't work for any JD related company. I would buy another if either kicked the bucket today.

PS, old deadwood post oak trees have a very hard center...Will kill your chains. I've learned to burn them in a bonfire if too hard. I am not a professional lumberjack but I can tell you oak is harder than pine.