Dealer Is dealer being straight?

EFSIII · Apr 8, 2004

Hello to all
I'm a long time lurker, new poster. The help, advice, and knowledge on this forum is amazing. So much of what has been discussed and tossed about has been instrumental in helping me make my tractor purchasing decision.
Hence, my question...
On Sat. 03-27-04, I came to terms with my local New Holland dealer on a TC30 hydro with 7308 loader. I requested turf tires. The dealer stated he had the tractor on the lot in the crate, was waiting for a shipment of loaders, and would order the tires. He was hopeful that I could take delivery within the week.
Over a week went by, and my excitement became too much to bear. I called him 04-08 and inquired as to the status of "my baby's delivery".
He told me that they had received the loaders, but there was a problem with the tires. He said it would have been a wait of months for them, so he traded the tractor he had on the lot to a dealer that had one with turf tires. Now, he's "going to try and squeeze it in for service" for possible delivery at the end of this week or early next week.
I'm not knocking the dealer. He's been great to deal with and I was thrilled to be able to do business locally. I worked in the automotive industry for several years and saw some real scams take place, so I'm probably suffering from paranoia.
I just wonder if this sounds right, or is a common practice.
I've so much to learn!!

shvl73 · Apr 8, 2004

Go look at it. If it has next to no hours on the clock & it's the one you want, he did right by you.

MessickFarmEqu · Apr 8, 2004

Just check and see what he delivers, jockeying inventory like that is common. You have to because manufacturers try to hold as little inventory as possible.

OkeeDon · Apr 8, 2004

How much of your money is he holding while he tries to "squeeze it in"? Never heard of such a thing on a new delivery...mine was prepped immediately, the dealer swapped tires and wheels, not the whole tractor, and when it was delivered it had a bow on the hood.

jinman · Apr 8, 2004

( The dealer stated he had the tractor on the lot in the crate )

To my knowledge, New Holland tractors are not delivered to their dealers "in the crate" like Kubotas are. All the NHs I've seen are fully assembled and unloaded off a truck. I've seen loaders on pallets, but this "crate business" sounds like a delay tactic. I think TC30s are a very popular tractor and your dealer's inventory may be short of them.

I'm not saying the deal smells, I'm just saying the dealer may be "blowin' smoke" while he searchs for you a tractor. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

EFSIII · Apr 9, 2004

Thanks for the replies...I just needed calming down.
I guess my biggest problem is the lack of communication from my sales guy. If I hadn't called him, I still wouldn't know what was going on. I'm spending all my time thinking "maybe today, maybe today".
OkeeDon....I put down about 1/3 the total price and the check has been cashed. That's when I thought I would see some movement. It being now Friday, I guess it will be next week.

MessickFarmEqu · Apr 9, 2004

Some NH's come in the crate, most of the larger TC's don't. I am not sure about the 30... i don't think it does.

OkeeDon · Apr 9, 2004

I put down about 1/3 the total price and the check has been cashed. 

I don't know how big and solid this dealer is, but the reason I asked the question is because he may be cash poor. When your check is cashed immediately but the dealer seems to be thinking up reasons to delay the result, it's often because he needed your cash for something else, and now, he's waiting for someone else to bring in cash in order to get your tractor. I'm not saying this is the case in your situation, but I tend to get suspicious of delaying tactics.

markie61 · Apr 9, 2004

TC30's come in a crate. I think that is the only one, though. I see alot of fully assembled "blue" on flatbeds on the Washington DC interstates coming north from GA.

Mark