Is tractor buying supposed to be difficult?

[MessickFarmEqu]

As a dealer, it can take while if you don't have all the items in stock. Most stuff has to be truck shipped which can take awhile. Many machines also require alot of shop time to prep before delivery. That being said, it sounds like they could be more up front with you on the exact timeline.

 

[Timber]

I have to say when I bought my tractor I was waiting for it to be shipped. Then the assembly was extensive. Then I had to wait for a new loader bucket for some reason but I had no problem with that. I told my dealer To take the time they needed to do it right. I was pretty insistent about I don't care how long you take to build it but don't deliver it to me incomplete. I get mad about incompetence

 

[Farmwithjunk]

As a dealer, it can take while if you don't have all the items in stock. Most stuff has to be truck shipped which can take awhile. Many machines also require alot of shop time to prep before delivery. That being said, it sounds like they could be more up front with you on the exact timeline.

COMMUNICATIONS.... IF delivery was held up because of something not being in stock, or any other legitimate reason, a phonecall or a visit from the salesman with an explaination would go a long way towards pacifying the customer.

A good dealership sells lots of tractors and impements. The average buyer will only be getting something from that dealer occasionally. Some dealers get very nonchalont about "just one sale". (Make no mistake, I'm not accusing or insinuating anything towards any specific dealer OR all dealers in general, much less Messicks, who I understand has a STELLAR reputation) In most cases, an average tractor buyer is making one of the largest purchases (outside of a home or property) that they'll ever make. The sale can be more important to the buyer than it is the seller in that regard. IMHO, a dealer has a responsibility to the buyer to handle the sale and delivery as if it's the single most important detail in their daily routine once they accept the check. (and even leading up to that check) That dealer has a simular responsibility to their own REPUTATION. Bad news travels fast. Bad reputations are hard to lose.

If a dealer has trouble with the very basics of communication skills, who's to say they won't have troubles with more complicated skills such as repairs, prep and delivery, or warranty issues. When I fork out my hard earned cash, I expect the best effort a dealer has to offer. I'm most likely no different than 99% of tractor buyers in that regard. Fall short on those expectations and you have a disgruntled buyer. Next tractor he goes elswhere.

 

[xreliable]

I made the deal. Over two weeks ago now. That's the problem. Bigger problem to me at least is not getting called back when I feel I should be informed.

I even see this here on TBN with all the "what do I need..." threads. If a guy doesn't know what he need for his property...how the heck are we supposed to know?

So, xreliable...if you know what you need and want...go make your deal. Tomorrow...

 

[ChuckinNH]

After waiting three weeks to the day for delivery of at least the items in stock, today I cancelled my order for about $7,000 worth of attachments. I will be buying a tractor too, but probably not there....
Yes, part of the problem was no communications at all about why there was no delivery.

 

[Limecuda]

I went in and looked at a Kioti ck30 hst at about 2:00. I talked with the guy and he gave me a quote. I go home and think about it and call him back around 4:00. My new tractor was serviced and delivered by 5:30 the same day.

 

[ChuckinNH]

Well, I have to admit I was a bit grumpy the other day. Still, having paid for attachments that were in stock, it was hard to fire up the old walk behind tiller. In fairness, there were other attachments on order, or not assembled yet, and they wanted to deliver everything at once to save on their end. I guess you can't blame them for that. If I had only bought what was in stock, or if I lived a couple of miles from the dealership, I'm sure I would have had the items by now.

 

[Glowplug]

My tractor purchase was rather painless (except for the downpayment). I knew exactly what I wanted, after months of exhaustive research. I told my dealer, after I had already been approved for the financing. Well, he didn't have exactly what I wanted on the lot. So, while I was there, he got on the phone and called dealers as far as 500 miles away. Luckily he found a similar tractor to what I wanted about 25 miles away. He went and picked it up that afternoon. But it didn't have all the goodies I wanted. So he had ordered those. Now, admittedly there was a bit of a problem with Kubota doing their end-of-year inventory and I wasn't able to get my goodies for a few days. But as soon as they arrived they were immediately installed on my tractor. As soon as it was ready my tractor was delivered to my home. My dealer himself spent about 2 1/2 hours at my house going over the tractor and owner's manual with me.

 

[Dog Lover]

My dealer in DE took my call on the phone, took my order and delivered it at 6:30am on that Saturday. I did not even go see it...I new what it was from previous research. I had been a previous customer for a mower which I picked up the day I went to see it. Drove 100 mi then. but this time Tractor was delivered.
I guess it is the quality of the dealer you are working with.
I am in sales for a living and always try to deliver on what I sell, no exception, or I feel real bad. If I can't for some unforseen reason, I let the customer know way ahead of he or she calling me....I guess one way to look at it...if it is that hard on the original sale, what will future service needs end up like ????

 

[66gladiator]

In most cases, an average tractor buyer is making one of the largest purchases (outside of a home or property) that they'll ever make. The sale can be more important to the buyer than it is the seller in that regard.

I remind my team every week to think of every tractor in these terms.