Local dealer dropped ball -- forget buying a Massey?

[not2old]

I believe all manufacturers need to have a fixed price on all machinery so the customer does not have to put up with this kind of childish game dealing with these salesmen, why should one person have to pay thousand of dollars more for the same tractor than the next guy, it just puts a bad taste in everyone's mouth and really ruins the fun of shopping for a tractor when the dealer says he won't service your unit if you buy it somewhere else. If I knew that a tractor manufacturer had set prices for everyone you bet your life I would give them my business in a heart beat then have to deal with these salesmen.

Don't know about where you are, but here in Canada, that would be considered price fixing and is illegal.

 

[Fiziksgeek]

I agree with what's been said. Check with the service manager. If he gives you any sort of bad feeling, even so much as implies that you would be a lower priority, run away from the dealer screaming....

I would not write off Massey, but dealer service is just an important as the quality of the tractor. So if you can't get good service, go elsewhere, even if that means changing brands!

 

[Gator6x4]

I believe all manufacturers need to have a fixed price on all machinery so the customer does not have to put up with this kind of childish game dealing with these salesmen, why should one person have to pay thousand of dollars more for the same tractor than the next guy, it just puts a bad taste in everyone's mouth and really ruins the fun of shopping for a tractor when the dealer says he won't service your unit if you buy it somewhere else. If I knew that a tractor manufacturer had set prices for everyone you bet your life I would give them my business in a heart beat then have to deal with these salesmen.

They do have a set price. It is called the MSRP. A consumer walks into a Dealership and asks about a particular model and is told the "Manufactures Suggested Retail Price" is and the next thing the consumer asks is, "How Much Can You Discount That". So out the door the consumer goes when the Dealer will not discount the amount the consumer feels he is deserving off.

Remember in shopping for a tractor and comparing prices to, ask dealers in your home state what they will sell you a tractor for. A out of state purchase means in all likelihood no sales taxes were added. The taxes alone can add several thousand dollars to a purchase. Home state dealers also have to maintain a facility and personnel to service their own sales as well as the out of state purchases which resulted in no monetary gain at the time of sale.

 

[ultrarunner]

Or the price can be well over MSRP not including applicable taxes.

Was all set to pick up a Kawasaki Mule 610xc

The dealer added thousands to the MSRP... assembly, prep, freight, warehousing, documentation, etc...

Needless to say we didn't buy.

 

[PJSprog]

I wouldn't give up on the tractor you want just because you ran into one bozo. When I spoke with my local LS guy, he started in with a whole list of that "If you buy from this guy,..." garbage. I ended up not buying from him. I had the same thought mentioned above, "If he's like this before I've even bought anything,..." My decision was made easier by the fact that he was really just a dairy equipment dealer and service center, who also happened to sell a tractor on occasion (never has more than two on his lot). He was close, though (10 minute drive), so I wanted to give him a chance. We ended up driving about an hour-and-a-half to a different guy, who was nice as can be. He gave us no caveats, and got our money.

As for sales tax, make sure you actually have to pay it. Some states (surprisingly, Illinois is one) don't require sales tax on farm equipment.

 

[Catman8]

Let's say you go to your local tractor dealer and he sells you a tractor for $20,000. and you bring it home all excited and it's just what you wanted, your neighbor comes over and sees your new tractor and really likes it, so he goes down to the same dealer and buys the exact same tractor and brings it home, you go over and ask your neighbor what he paid and he says $17,500, now how would that make you feel. Your neighbor paid $2,500. Less than you did for the exact same tractor. I'm just saying its not right, both people should pay the exact price because you know the dealer is making a profit off both tractors.

In my case all three MF dealers are owned by the same owner so that means I would need to drive an hour and a half to the next town.

 

[ultrarunner]

Too many variables...

End of model year... last one in stock... sales promotion ending... etc.

Negotiating is something most Americans only venture with cars and equipment... much of the world it is expected.

I grew up around the car business... when I buy I try to make it as simple as possible... I know exactly what I want and at what price to make me a buyer... a simple yes or no is all I need.

It has worked surprisingly well... but it takes legwork and time to become knowledgeable and I venture to say that I know more about the product than the person selling.

Mom would cringe sometimes... as a kid I was buying a suit for prom and asked is this the best you can do... and even suggested the shop throw in some socks... Mom just rolled her eyes.. then I said how often do you think someone comes into the Dealership and says I'll take it and pulls out the checkbook and writes the check for sticker?

 

[stuckmotor]

From my experience dealers don't like to do warranty work because it doesn't pay enough to suit them. I recently heard a lawn equipment dealer answer s*** no! When asked if they'd do warranty work for the dealer in the next county.

 

[BlessedMess]

Thanks again to all. May write a letter to owner but have no plans to return. Not sure what I'll do except change plans to buy from a non-local dealer or switch brands. A couple comments on the discussion:

MSRP - If goods and services cost what the market will bear based on supply and demand, my guess is that there is an oversupply of Tier 4 tractors, and excess demand for Tier 3 units. Hence the new incentives and ridiculous pricing on Tier 3. MSRP is by name a suggestion, and likely an optimistic one given the current market. It would be nice if there was more transparency in pricing, but doubtful that will change soon.

Rude/Lack of Customer Service/No Product Knowledge - Totally agree, this unfortunately seems to be the rule these days. Not sure why a $20k+ purchase requires a customer to lower their expectations so much, but doubt that changes soon either.

 

[PatrickS2222]

Talk to their Service MANAGER. I doubt that a salesman determines what they will or will not work on or warranty.

Exactly my point. We as automotive mechanics/technicians had rather average opinions of some salesmen :thumbdown: in the selling dealership in which I once worked. When I moved to a factory-authorised service and parts "mum&dad" business I then found out the dealers didn't like us at all. Why? Because we gave a level of service we would expect to be extended to us were we in the customer's shoes. We treated clients as people - not merely as "just another cheque-book or credit card". We returned serve by recommending to our clients, when they were considering trading or buying another new car, a couple small out-of town dealerships who also gave what I described as "old-fashioned service" and recognised that to compete with "big-time" city dealerships, they had to be sharp on both service and price. I received a lot of positive feedback from my recommendations, which were based on nothing more than my having met a couple of their service staff at dealer training classes!

Additionally, I can recall on several occasions we fixed vehicles the local city dealer service division couldn't ... or wouldn't. A high percentage of our clients are long-standing and fiercely loyal. I was the Service Manager (note: More an honorary title for a service receptionist) for nearly ten years and view a lot of them more as friends than customers. :laughing:

I guess what I am trying to say is the views and statements of one salesman are probably not an accurate reflection of the dealership, and certainly not in accordance with the manufacturer. :laughing: That guy needs to realise he won't win any sales with that attitude and he needs to adjust it. Salesmen never dictated to me what work I did or didn't take on, and never will. A lot of my clientele still phone and feel comfortable speaking to me rather than my successor, and several have asked me to move back into the reception office - "It isn't the same without you there to talk to" tells me a lot.

I would speak to the Service Manager personally, ensure he is there to support you their potential customer, regardless of where you buy the machine. I can't justify writing off the local dealer just because of one salesman's attitude - just don't work with him! I certainly cannot justify writing off Massey Ferguson as a brand for the same reason only - I would nevertheless rather hastily and quite vehemently notify him of his status as the very worst representative of the very best tractor manufacturer. :thumbsup:

Discuss your potential purchase directly with the General Manager or Owner and strike a deal with him. Also pass on to the GM your experience of his esteemed salesman and ensure he is aware his salesman nearly cost the dealership a sale, as well as subsequent service and maintenance. Best of luck! :drink: