webbmeister
Gold Member
A few weeks ago, while pricing the 25D I had decided was "the one for me," I visited the dealer closest to what will be our new home. He gave me a quote that eventually turned out to be several thousand dollars above what eventually turned out to be the winning quote from a dealer in VA. In a previous post, I expressed distrust for this dealer, writing, essentially, that it would be difficult for me to take my tractor to him because I felt that he had tried to take advantage of me. Well, after I got that quote from VA, I called around to several dealers within marginally reasonable distance from the new home, and got very similar quotes to the one I got from my local dealer. When I told them about the price from VA, to a person, they said "buy it!"
Having read over and over on TBN that a quality dealer who is easy to work with is essential, not only for warranty work but for the years and years of service after the sale, I stewed over what to do. I remembered a post somewhere on TBN that described one of our members being in a similar situation. He went to his dealer, explained the situation, and why he couldn't spend such a significant amount extra for the same tractor. He went on to say that he then made an agreement with his dealer to purchase implements and service from him. In the end, he got the best of both worlds - a deal and a dealer.
Well, I went this morning to what will be my local dealer and did essentially the same thing. I looked him in the eye, told him I respected that he had told me that he had given me his bottom-line price, that I wasn't there to dicker, but that I was there to describe a problem and ask for his help. I showed him the VA quote, pointed out that it came to more than $3000 less than his, that I had not come to ask him to meet the price, and that I could not afford to spend that much extra for the same tractor.
You could have knocked me over with a feather. He reached for his books and said that he needed to see if he had made a mistake. After showing me his costs, it was clear that even with dealer considerations he could not meet the price. Then he said it! "I think it's best that you bought the tractor from the VA dealer, I would have too. Don't worry about having a local dealer to depend on - you are welcome here."
Well, guys, I spoke too harshly too soon about this dealer. I take it back, and I apologize. Another lesson learned.
Jim
Having read over and over on TBN that a quality dealer who is easy to work with is essential, not only for warranty work but for the years and years of service after the sale, I stewed over what to do. I remembered a post somewhere on TBN that described one of our members being in a similar situation. He went to his dealer, explained the situation, and why he couldn't spend such a significant amount extra for the same tractor. He went on to say that he then made an agreement with his dealer to purchase implements and service from him. In the end, he got the best of both worlds - a deal and a dealer.
Well, I went this morning to what will be my local dealer and did essentially the same thing. I looked him in the eye, told him I respected that he had told me that he had given me his bottom-line price, that I wasn't there to dicker, but that I was there to describe a problem and ask for his help. I showed him the VA quote, pointed out that it came to more than $3000 less than his, that I had not come to ask him to meet the price, and that I could not afford to spend that much extra for the same tractor.
You could have knocked me over with a feather. He reached for his books and said that he needed to see if he had made a mistake. After showing me his costs, it was clear that even with dealer considerations he could not meet the price. Then he said it! "I think it's best that you bought the tractor from the VA dealer, I would have too. Don't worry about having a local dealer to depend on - you are welcome here."
Well, guys, I spoke too harshly too soon about this dealer. I take it back, and I apologize. Another lesson learned.
Jim
