Price Check In Search of Opinions on Pricing of John Deer 4310

[farmermark]

This is going to be my first purchase of a tractor. I'm a bit nervous but it is either buy one or continue to work myself ragged, or should I say my lawn tractor ragged. Believe it or not I have been using a Troy-Bilt 46" Lawn Tractor to maintain about a 12 acre mix of level/hilly lawn and fields for the past three years. That lawn tractor has held up incredibly well and I would recommend Troy-Bilt to anyone needing a good lawn tractor, but hopefully for a lot less land. I have finally saved enough money to buy my tractor and after some considerable research I have decided on a 32 hp John Deere 4310 HST, DSCV, 4WD, R4 Tires, GM1084 84" Grooming Mower, and RB1072 blade. I am also looking to get the 420 Loader, a tiller, and a post hole digger but probably not till next spring at the earliest. I live in western PA and priced the tractor with local dealers. After initial discouragement, I contacted a friend 400 miles away in MI and he referred me to a MI dealer that offered me the tractor, mower, and blade for $18,300 plus $500 for delivery, which is $2,000 better than my best offer in western PA. The only negative I have with the MI dealer is the best price I could get him to offer for adding the 420 loader is $2,800. Does anyone think I can get a better deal on this tractor in PA or OH? Should I pay more and stay local? Am I being unreasonable to expect the loader for less than $2,800? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Archdean]

If it were me (and it just was ) I would stay local and count the best relationship you can establish with the dealer of your favorite color as dollars in your pocket in the long run!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dean

 

[timb]

farmermark - where are you in western PA?

There are a ton of threads on here concerning the importance of having a good dealer (even if a tad more expensive) to work with and stand behind you and your tractor and it's good advice.

I just bought my Deere from Lone Maple in New Alexandria (near the intersection of 119 and 22) - and while I haven't had any problems yet (knock on wood) to 'test' them with - comparing my buying experience to what some other folks have posted leads me to believe this dealer is probably one of the good ones. They were very low-pressure/laid-back but handled everything I asked for, the first time.

Plus - while my initial price quote was not blow-em-out-the-door low (15% discount before rebates) - there's a lot of hidden aspects to the pricing/relationship with the dealer. Mine will come and pick up / deliver the tractor free for any repairs under warranty - and I'm a 60 mile round trip away. I had several options installed - and I believe I only paid book parts price (less 15%) for the option, no separate installation fee. Everything was covered under one tractor 'setup' fee that also included my tire fill - and that fee wasn't much more than people typically quote for just the liquid fill. If this dealer is close enough to where you are to be useful - swing by and talk to Pat (my salesman) and see what they can do.

(The base 420 loader and bucket lists for $2979. I would expect you should be able to get it for around $2550 or so around here, plus shipping and possibly a set-up fee, less $300 rebate if you're buying 2 or more implements through September 3rd.)

 

[rockyridgefarm]

You don't have to go as far as Michigan to save money. Get o Deere's site and use the Dealer locater to find dealers. Tell them exactly what you want and let them bid. Only go as far from you as you are comfortable going for service. Also, tell the dealer who quoted you that you need a better deal, sometimes they want to quote high so folks feel like they were able to knock em down...

Adding a loader has additional cost over the base price. That is usually absorbed when ordered with the tractor, but if you add it later, it'll cost more. It maybe a much better deal to get them all now and use Deere's financing, but that is certainly a personal call...