Ignorant, uninformed, lazy or ??? Dealers

[RickO]

Wow.. and today's headline on MSN.....Self Centered College Students

Yeh, I think the pendulum has swung too far the other way... from the "your a worthless POS" we used to hear, or at least feel. To the "everything you do is OK Johnny, cause it's all about you"..

 

[N80]

I would agree with those who have indicated that this is not simply a tractor dealer issue. It occurs throughout the workforce.

As a total noob buying a tractor, I certainly wanted someone who was knowledgeable, but after going to a few dealerships what I wanted most was someone to act like they actually wanted to sell me a tractor! I go blown off totally by several places. I say something like, "I've got a budget of about $15-$20k" and having the guy shake his head and tell me they didn't have anything in that price range on the lot. They may have been true, but the guy made it clear that our conversation was over.

On the other side of the coin, I'm sure a noob like me is hard to deal with. I had no idea what I really needed, I only had a rough idea about what I could spend and I didn't know much about tractors. So the salesman has to deal with total ignorance. So even getting started was probably a hurdle. But you know what, several of the salesmen were up to the task. They answered questions. They gave me brochures. They returned phone calls. They didn't make a beeline for the most expensive luxury tactor on the lot and tell me i had to spend more than I wanted to.

Bottom line in my mind is that sure, knowledge is important, but just knowing what a potential customer wants and needs is just as important.

I still haven't gotten over the places that blew me off. Some of them wouldn't even offer me a brochure.

 

[EdC]

The main reason we went with a John Deere was that dealership was the one where the salesman actually cared about making a sale and knew the product. We still had to go to a JD dealer 60 miles away instead of one that was much closer. It also didn't hurt that the place where we bought the tractor treated my wife and I like human beings.

Ed

 

[SCDolphin]

I have been on the tractor search probably longer than anyone on this web site. By far the most arrogant people I have run across are the JD dealers. I could write a book on them. Maybe they have the most secure jobs on the planet.........don't have to talk to customers or sell anything, just sit at a desk and stare.

 

[turbo36]

Do you think that some of the problem is that in todays world "price trumps all"! What is the incentive for a salesman to really learn his product and spend time determining your needs? Most people will go to the most knowledgable salesman and learn all they can from him, but, and this is a big but, they will buy from the dealer that sells it at the lowest price.

 

[RedRiver]

It's sad for the customer that they have to deal with people like this (also sad for the tractor lines these dealers carry because it gives the whole company a bad rep) but it also helps those dealers who are willing to help thrive and expand at a much faster pace, this is a new day in age and it's the customers market. These older dealers with lazy attitudes will soon be hanging for sale signs on their doors and looking for new jobs.

 

[kubotaman68]

My fil just bought a new kubota, he lives 3 hours away ( T G ) He was laughing about how he sucked out the brains of the local salespeople learning everything he could and getting all the product knowledge he could he was down at that poor dealers for 3 weekend in a row driving tractors L series B series , he was even looking M's tying up the sales dept and after all that the never lost their composure or disrespected him in anyway, he calls my wife up and tells her he has made up his mind and he is getting it from the cheapest place because they beat everyones price , but never had the "time" to answer his questions but boy they had time when it was money time. He called the dealer and rubbed their face in the deal AFTER it was inked . Pathetic !!! I am glad I only see that pompous face at holidays . So I guess the sales people are people too and I don't think they get the benefit of the doubt everytime and people like my fil make their lives even more difficult. These are probably the mindless ravings of a frustrated sil but I had to put it in

 

[Farmwithjunk]

If I'm in the market for something, I call a couple salesmen I know at dealers I frequent. I usually know before I pick up the phone what I'm wanting. All they have to do is give me their best price, then we talk about the wives and kids. They know I'll be back if they're price is good, and they know I'll be back even if I buy somewhere else. Just to keep them honest, I'll check out a few other dealers prices before pulling the trigger. If that "other dealer" has a good price, they get added to the short list. I love to visit new dealers that I encounter while out and about. I'll usually walk in and act like I'm lost. Just stand around and see if anyone pays attention to me. If I see a saleman that's not with a customer, and he/she doesn't ask if they can help, I'm out the door. They're off the short list. If I'm going to leave my hard earned money, they need to act like they're glad to see me. I wonder how many salesmen have turned up their nose and walked away while I'm standing there with checkbook in hand (well, in pocket anyway)

Salesmen aren't there for OUR entertainment in spite of what some of them think. We customers are there for THEIR financial benifit. We pay....They GET paid. There's the difference......I'm not doing business with anyone who thinks they're doing ME a personal favor by waiting on me.

 

[Podunkadunk]

I have been on the tractor search probably longer than anyone on this web site. By far the most arrogant people I have run across are the JD dealers. I could write a book on them. Maybe they have the most secure jobs on the planet.........don't have to talk to customers or sell anything, just sit at a desk and stare.

If you go back to post number 24 on this thread, you'll see where I said the same thing basically. A few months ago when I was tractor shopping (boy was it fun), of course I checked out the JD lot. They didn't even come out to talk to me. Weather was perfect, it wasn't like they had anyone else on the lot...I was IT! I took some notes and then left. I wouldn't go back to that lot if they paid me. I don't want to stereotype JD dealers in general, but I think there prima-donna attitudes suck.

All the other salesmen at each of the other lots were all over me like ants on a fish-head.

My nickel's worth...
-Podunk

 

[Oleozz]

It seems like quite a few folks have had the same experience at the JD dealers. It doesn't seem to be in any one part of the country either, although the JD dealers that frequent this site sure don't seem that way. I think we are real lucky to have dealers on this site who give out good information and are willing to help with problems.