Price Check Is the Cheapest Price the Best Price?

[Joeinindy]

Although price is an important issue most people will recall service and treatment long after they have forgotten how much they paid for the product. From the dealers standpoint he is there to make money, it's not his hobby to sell tractors. I really get sick of lousy service, rude clerks, and a careless attitude. Everyone wants the lowest price, but they also want the top of the line service, hate to say it but it's tough to get both. The dealer that hires and keeps experianced mechanics, well trained and good salespeople, good parts inventory, ect has to pay the employees a higher than average income and he has much more money tied up in parts than most of us think. I just want a fair price , good service, and that warm fuzzy feeling when the transaction is completed. Don't get me wrong I shop around, get prices, and do my homework, but I sure as heck won't try to save a few percentage points and make my life miserable along with every retailer within 100 miles when buying a product. I was in sales for many years and the customer that walks in with a chip on their shoulder and treats the salesman like dung doesn't get the best deal or treatment after the sale. Look at it this way, in your job the boss walks in and takes the attitude that you are no better or worse than 10 other people that might be able to do your job and say's just how cheap will you work? You reply "well I do my job better than most, therefore I'm worth "X" amount of money". He replies," well that might be true but I just want your bottom line price, because I think I can get as much work and productivity out of anyone, so just give me your best price". You will probably quit or at the least hold resentment towards him and the company. I guess what I'm saying is a good dealer needs to make enough profit to stay in bussiness and only he knows what his overhead is. Just had to vent about this a bit, sorry.

 

[Joeinindy]

woodstock, I agree with your attitude.

 

[woodstock]

Well said Joe

Winnipeg, Manitoba

2001 BX2200 (26 hrs) All Kubota FEL,Tiller, box blade, blower w/elec shute, 60 mid mt deck, Ag tires.
Grey market B7000 w/Tiller (120 hrs)

 

[cowboydoc]

Joe,
Yes you are right. But how many times have you walked into a dealership and had the dealer know more than you about what you wanted to buy? It doesn't happen very often at all. Most of the time I tell them things about the vehicle or equipment they didn't even know. IF that was truly the case at even the higher percentage of dealerships then yes you are right they would be worth their weight in gold. Half the time dealers don't even know what is new and consumers are telling the dealer about what's new. Like has been said when you walk in how many dealers give your their best price? THEY DON'T!!! They give you retail price and if you're dumb enough to pay it do they say hey Joe you know I'm making way more on this than I need to how about we sell it to you at this price. Heck no you have to sit there and haggle back and forth for hours to get the best price. Well I'll have to talk to my manager. Heck I know a guy that used to run the biggest car dealership in my area. He said it was all for show. They'd go in there and talk about the football games. They knew from the get go what the bottom price was. Then after the bottom price they'd throw the kitchen sink at you with the financing guy with fabric protection, cost them about $2, you $200, undercoating, loan protection, extended warranties, etc. My friend quit because he couldn't do it anymore to people. After doing that song and dance and getting screwed a few times on vehicles I don't give them much respect. Yes there are a few but they are few and far between. How many guys here have gotten the red carpet service at the sale and then go back for something. They don't do you any favors most of the time. Alot of guys over on the deere board had trouble with their backhoes and the dealer said it was user error and they had to pay to have something fixed under warranty no less. The dealer knows from the time you walk through that door what he has to sell you that tractor or vehicle for. They know what the bottom dollar is to make ends meet. I wouldn't expect them to sell it for less. I know what it's like to be in business for yourself. BUT this is a business that they created! They are the ones that make you sit in the office for hours on end and haggle out a deal. It's not like we the consumer did this. If I go to look for building materials it's easy. I look in the sunday paper. Ok x has it for this, y for this, etc. They all price match so I just go to x and say y has it for this. Ok let me call them, 2 minutes later I get the best price and they discount it 10% because they didn't have the best price.

While I totally agree that your approach may work it only works at a few dealers and for the most part they are going to get you for every dime they can. Plus most of the good dealer that I know already offer the lowest prices. They offer good service and have good people.

 

[TheBigO]

Joe

You made some very good points that should certainly be considered when choosing where to make your purchase. IMHO Richard has it nailed. These dealers know their bottom line. They create this haggling atomosphere by not giving that price with the first quote. I work too hard for my money not to get the best price. They are trying to get the most and I try to give the least. Almost always, it will be middle ground that is reached.

There is no right or wrong here. Everyone has their own ideas of how to go about this. After the deal is made and the tractor is delivered, all that matters is that you feel good about the whole experience. I know I will.

steve

<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by TheBigO on 08/11/01 11:07 AM (server time).</FONT></P>