Local dealership closed

[RGAZ]

Foozle,

That is a major bummer. I am right down Hwy 25 from you in Abbeville/Greenwood and our local dealer is not the best, but they are still open. I am guessing they are the "closest" for you now. Maybe we can help each other out on occasion. I have a tow vehicle and 25 foot car-hauler trailer that could move your stuff easily. Depending on what you got, maybe we can barter some work? Send me a message via this site and we can chat offline.

On the side note: I bought my trailer new at Calfees near Cleveland TN (about 3 hours from you) for $2400 and its a heavy duty double axle steel deck made by Lawrimore. Its been great and as noted, way better than taking a loss.

Send me a note when you can.
Randy

 

[sdquick]

I don't have a "local" dealership. I had price shopped by phone and e-mail. Made the purchase from the closest dealer (~2 hours). The tractor and implements were delivered. I only stopped by the dealer a year later because I was in the area. I have had one problem and had the dealer take care of it under warranty. They offered pick up and drop off of tractor for $100. Seemed very fair (less than my gas). Although I always help out neighbors, I also have strategically avoided getting a trailer as an excuse not to haul or "loan" my tractor out.

 

[k0ua]

Probably the trailer idea is the best one, but the only downside is that I would lose my excuse for not letting my son-in-law borrow my equipment!

That was high on my list as to why I don't own a trailer too!

 

[Steppenwolfe]

I wouldn't worry too much, you own the most reliable and well built line out there. Maybe... once in a blue moon you will need a dealer, you know, for a trade in... Relax and be glad you went with Kubota. :thumbsup:

 

[jeff9366]

I live in the Greenville, SC area where my local Kubota dealership closed. Apparently the dealership wasn't up to current Kubota standards in terms of their facility. The dealership was given the choice of upgrading their facility (probably in the neighborhood of $1 million upgrade), or losing their franchise. They didn't want to invest the money, so they closed.

Ok, so I understand all that, but what I don't understand is why Kubota didn't have a plan to open a new dealership in the same area. It's been over 6 months now, and I have nowhere nearby to take my equipment to be repaired. The closest dealer is about 60 miles away. I don't have a trailer, so the transport cost to have them pick up and drop off is prohibitive.

I called Kubota to complain and ask why they didn't have a transition plan and I was basically stonewalled.

The next Kubota franchise in the Greenville area will probably have to have five acres to display all Kubotas tractors, tractor implements and Kubota construction equipment. May need a $2 million dollar building, service trucks and mechanic training. All this requires shopping, plans, local government permits and bank loans. Kubota has never been known for rapid decisions, but the strategic decisions Kubota makes usually work out.

As Kubota has 50% market share in compact tractors and is moving steadily into farming implements, big ag tractors and construction equipment to compete with Deere where Kubota in not competing with Deere now, it is probable Kubota is evaluating franchise applications for Greenville.

 

[Diggin It]

Mr. Orange's Fantabulous Crystal Ball.

Somebody's gotta pay for all that Schmancy which may be why Big Orange is so much higher priced than the rest.

 

[ccsial]

That was high on my list as to why I don't own a trailer too!

I have one rule about loaning my equipment. I go with it. I learned this the hard way.

 

[the old grind]

Foozle,
That is a major bummer. I am right down Hwy 25 from you in Abbeville/Greenwood and our local dealer is not the best, but they are still open. ... Maybe we can help each other out on occasion. I have a .. trailer that could move your stuff easily. .. maybe we can barter some work? .. ... Send me a note when you can. ..Randy

Randy, I really admire a guy like you, and somehow I just had to say something. God bless your spirit, and thank you for the example. t o g

 

[MHarryE]

In the 1970s I was working for Allis-Chalmers. Farm equipment was in demand. Dealers with no knowledge of the most complicated A-C machine, the Gleaner combine, might sell one. At that time we were pushing them out the door as fast as we could to meet the demand. Those one combine dealers had no trained people to support the combines. Customers became really PO’d. Rules were made that a dealer had to have a certain level of support before they could sell but customer base was damaged. Farm problems starting in 1981 finished them off so Deutz of Germany bought the remains. Lesson learned - dealership not able to support customer can destroy a company. This could be a possibility as to why dealerships are being pulled. In our area the closest 2 JD dealers were forced to sell. One of the dealerships remains as a satellite but limited in which models they can sell. This has been the practice for ages. My father was given an International Harvester dealership in 1939. He sold a lot of Farmalls. In 1954 they insisted he build a large facility to handle new product. He refused and dealership was removed. Nearest dealer was then 38 miles. Now I need to drive 194 miles for Case parts for my combine. Brothers owned our local Ford dealership. One died last year. Sole owner now is 70, has no full time qualified mechanic. They can’t support right. Dealership should be closed by a Ford but he has been in business as family since 1920s so they let him hang on even without adequate service. Dealer needs to be able to support what they sell.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Mr. Orange's Fantabulous Crystal Ball.

Somebody's gotta pay for all that Schmancy which may be why Big Orange is so much higher priced than the rest.

Since you don't own a Kubota why do you troll the Kubota forum with your stupid remarks and criticisms? Just trying to increase your posts numbers? If you can't contribute some helpful information/advise then just listen and learn so you can be suspected as maybe not being dumb.