John Deere sold at Lowes & HD

[Ledgemere Farm]

I ended up getting an L140 from HD. Seems OK to me. Not the same quality as my GT, but great for mowing lawns and pulling an aerator. The 23HP really goes through the grass!!! I ordered the rear weight bracket from my JD dealer to give me a bit better traction on the slopes. HD gives all military members a 10% discount. You can't beat that with a stick...

 

[DVR]

The 100 series JD's sold at HD & Lowes are the "economy" models and they are also sold at JD dealerships at the same price. JD sets the price and both the box stores and the dealers sell at this set price.
.

as someone who has dealt directly with both big boxes as a mfg's sales rep- I can tell you no one but hd and lowes "set the price." they (the mfg) may make an item available to dealers at a price point where they can compete but they do not "set the price" for hd and lowes.
have you ever been in negotiations with a big box retailer? there is not much negotiation on the vendors part.

 

[DVR]

As millions of North Americans follow their quest to purchase everything at the cheapest possible price, regardless of quality or country of origin, we will one day wake up to no significant manufacturing capacity, plus major unemployment from all those lost jobs.

i thought that already happened?

 

[Volfandt]

have you ever been in negotiations with a big box retailer?

Nope, can't say that I have.
But, JD displays a list price on it's website and both the box stores and the JD dealers sell at that listed price.
I'll still say that JD sets the price BUT the box stores more than likely set the COST they'll pay for each unit. I'd also guesstimate that the JD dealers are on a sliding scale and their COST is based on their discount level which is set by their sales performance. i.e. the more they sell the cheaper the units cost them.

In any case, you'll pay the same for the unit no matter if you purchase it at a box store or at an authorized dealer and I would recommend purchasing from a dealer.

 

[unit40]

VABlue, if your out there my apologies for not responding for so long.

LBrown59, When you highlight or bold type a comment the way you did, it is akin to rudely pointing your finger in anothers face. Your opinion that my purchase is senseless,......well it is your opinion I guess. Am I senseless because I paid big bucks for a tractor that doesn't have 4WD or a front end loader? Oh yeah, I only have one range in the tranny, only 1000 psi hydro, and a limited Cat1 in the rear.

VABlue,
I found the 2305s and BXs way too small and uncomfortable for me. I found the X744 to be the most ergonomically comfortable and smooth handling machine out there. American made means a lot to me too. But if I am going to be spending hours on a tractor for a lifetime, it better feel real good to be on it.

Used primarily for mowing, the big deck and powerflow bagger coupled with the absolutely unmached maneuverability of the AWS was a big selling point.

I am able to move and spread loam, gravel, compost and bark mulch with my Johnny Bucket Sr. Takes a minute to easily put on and take off. Then it is easily stored out of the way.

Without having to over-ride any safeties, I can run a rear PTO log splitter, chipper,plus run my fertilizer spreader, till a garden, run a bush-hog, etc....

Although I have a fisher v-plow on my truck, I suppose I could run a snowblower if I wanted to, but I have a snow blower with 2 wheel drive.

I really wanted a Deere 1445 front mower with a 72" 7-iron deck, enclosed cab with AC, and the MCS, but I couldn't run my other toys with it. Maybe next year.

And LBrown59, The 24 HP Yanmar is much more engine than a 15 HP Kubota. At least thats what the specs say. Makes sense doesn't it?

 

[Ledgemere Farm]

Nope, can't say that I have.
But, JD displays a list price on it's website and both the box stores and the JD dealers sell at that listed price.
I'll still say that JD sets the price BUT the box stores more than likely set the COST they'll pay for each unit. I'd also guesstimate that the JD dealers are on a sliding scale and their COST is based on their discount level which is set by their sales performance. i.e. the more they sell the cheaper the units cost them.

In any case, you'll pay the same for the unit no matter if you purchase it at a box store or at an authorized dealer and I would recommend purchasing from a dealer.

would have bought from a dealer, but HD gives military members a 10% discount...

 

[VABlue]

U40, makes enough sense for me. I'm just a little fella so the small size of the 2305 doesn't bother me. The MFWD also helps since I plan to be clearing trees and will need it at some point. Enjoy your ride, I'm sure its sweet!

 

[LBrown59]

1*When you highlight or bold type a comment the way you did, it is akin to rudely pointing your finger in anothers face
2*I found the 2305s and BXs way too small and uncomfortable for me.
3*American made means a lot to me too.
4*The 24 HP Yanmar is much more engine than a 15 HP Kubota. At least thats what the specs say. Makes sense doesn't it?
================

=============
1*That was in reference to what I was commenting about only. It was not an issue of manners.
Sorry if it came across to you as rudeness as that was not my intent.
2* I'm gonna have to visit my JD dealer again - I coulda sworn the last time I was there the x series looked smaller than the 2305s and the Kubota BXs.
3*I thought Yanmar was Japanese.
4*Agreed 24 is more than 15 HP but there is more to it than just HP.
As long as it will get the job done with power to spare that's all that's necessary.
Be it 5 or 500 HP.

 

[unit40]

=============
1*That was in reference to what I was commenting about only. It was not an issue of manners.
Sorry if it came across to you as rudeness as that was not my intent.
2* I'm gonna have to visit my JD dealer again - I coulda sworn the last time I was there the x series looked smaller than the 2305s and the Kubota BXs.
3*I thought Yanmar was Japanese.
4*Agreed 24 is more than 15 HP but there is more to it than just HP.
As long as it will get the job done with power to spare that's all that's necessary.
Be it 5 or 500 HP.

1* It wasn't rude, it was insulting.
2* Whatever it looked like to you doesn't change the fact that I have actually sat in the seat of these machines and made the detirmination.
3* Yanmar was and still is Japanese. Are you referring to the Yanmar engine in the tractor ? I was referring to the fact that the tractor was made in Deeres Horicon Works, Wisconsin by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, Local 873.
4* 24 HP will always be more than 22HP.

 

[LBrown59]

Unit40

I'm curious... When I was searching for a new mower, I looked into the X5 and X7 series. One of the things I wanted to do is clear some woods for yard, so I wanted a big, heavy duty tractor. My dealer showed me the X5, but didn't have any X7's. He did say he would order me one if I wanted it, but didn't want to sell it. For the same money the 2305 was a prettier option (at least for me).1* So my question for you is what pushed you into the X744 at the same cost of the 2305?

*A good question as I never could see the object in buying a garden tractor when you could get a Sub Compact for the same or less money.