My tractor buying experience

trkbldr · Apr 12, 2004

I first got the idea to buy a new tractor about one year ago. The old Golden Jubilee was getting the job done but my property is a little steep in places and I was somewhat leery of mowing some of the places I wanted to mow. No ROPS, no FWD, no power steering, can increase the pucker factor considerably /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif. So, the search began. I have always liked JD, so I began my search there. Visited the nearest dealer and spent about half an hour looking around and sitting on various models. Although several employees came within a few feet of me, no one acknowledged my presence. So I go inside, wander around a bit, pick up some brochures, and still no greeting of any kind. Finally ask a guy behind the parts counter if someone could assist me with a tractor. He replied that "someone will be with you shortly". He never even offered to get someone. Well, I stood around about 5 more minutes and left. Went across town to the NH dealer. Spent some time looking around the lot and then walked inside and was greeted before the door could shut behind me. In about 30 seconds I was in a salesmans office discussing what I wanted and getting a price. From there I went to another NH dealer in a different town. Almost the same experience as the first NH dealer but a much better price. Later I visited another JD dealer with almost the exact same results as the first JD dealer. No one would even acknowledge my presence on the lot or in the store. The Kubota dealer I visited was equally as unfriendly. The Branson dealer was exceptionally nice as was the Case dealer. I was, however, having a difficult time justifying the price of a new tractor to myself. I had never paid that much for a CAR, much less a tractor /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif. My wife kept trying to convince me /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif to go ahead, but I just couldn't /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif. Finally last fall after completing yet another "death slide" down one of my hills, I knew I had to do something. The dealer I like most got one of those new TC33DA tractors in about a month ago. After a test drive and conversation with the dealer, I knew this was what I wanted. The wife still wants me to buy it but I just can't. I even went there one day to buy it and couldn't get out of my truck once I got there /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif. Finally, I decide to do it. I get to the dealer and MY tractor is not there. Someone bought it 2 days ago /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif. No one to blame but me. Dealer offers to call around and see if another dealer has one that he would be willing to let him have. He finally finds one that he will have to travel about 200 miles to get. I get up enough courage and say GO FOR IT /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif. Anyhow, my tractor is now on the dealers lot, waiting for the FEL to arrive and be installed. I will post in the NH forum when the tractor arrives, hopefully in about 10 days or so. Sorry this is so long, I just wanted to relate my experience in tractor buying. Actually, this is the "condensed" story /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif.To tell it all would have taken me far too long to type /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif!!

SteveH_CT · Apr 12, 2004

Well I've learned that you'd get better service at the Deere dealers if you don't wear the "I Love My New Holland" blue t-shirt in there... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Seriously though - it's a bad experience to get treated like that from a dealer or dealers. It think it's complacency on the dealers part - just assuming customers will come to them. They must make enough sales to old and return customers to get bye. Sometimes it almost seems like a Harley Davidson thing as well - they just assume you're gonna buy because it is a Deere and that you shouldn't need another reason.

Either way though - it sounds like you're going to end up with a real nice tractor. I'll keep an eye out for your posts when you get it. I'll bet you're glad you finally did it.

Take Care,

Gatorboy · Apr 12, 2004

I for one hate to have salesmen hounding me when I go to look at tractors, cars, or anything for that matter. I like to look around in peace without having to be pressured to engage in idle chit-chat, knowing that their sole purpose is to get me to spend my money.

When I am ready to get more information or purchase an item -- regardless of the store -- then I will approach an employee.

This is how I prefer things to operate. So, from the sound of your post, I guess I would prefer the JD dealers in your area over the NH. But that's just me.

Cliff_Johns · Apr 12, 2004

( I for one hate to have salesmen hounding me when I go to look at tractors, cars, or anything for that matter. I like to look around in peace without having to be pressured to engage in idle chit-chat, knowing that their sole purpose is to get me to spend my money.

When I am ready to get more information or purchase an item -- regardless of the store -- then I will approach an employee.

This is how I prefer things to operate. So, from the sound of your post, I guess I would prefer the JD dealers in your area over the NH. But that's just me. )

Yes, I'm that way too. The JD dealers were very helpful and friendly when I asked
for help. Otherwise, they were happy to let me look and sit on various tractors and
walk around the lot unencombered by a sales person.

To each his own.

Actually, I found all the dealers, regardless of brand to be helpful and friendly. Some were
less knowledgeable and some didn't give me a very good price, but they were all nice to
work with.

Cliff

Cliff_Johns · Apr 12, 2004

OH, I forgot to say, Congratulations on your new tractor. I hope it brings
you joy and a more stabile ride.

Cliff

Henro · Apr 12, 2004

trkbldr,

Congratulations on the new tractor. You story about the dealers is repeated time after time, in one flavor or another, and for all colors...just depends on one's area. Myself, I had bad feelings about both a Kubota and a NH dealership(s), but ended up buying Kubota from a good dealer.

If your old tractor is slipin' and slidin' on your slopes, your decision may be very important to you if something goes wrong in the future...since it has the rops. Don't forget to keep that seatbelt fastened!

The tractor may cost more than any car you have bought, but it will hold its value better and still be working for you when a car of equal cost would be heading to the car crusher... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Don't forget to show us a picture... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

lamarbur · Apr 12, 2004

When I need to buy (rarely) the first two things I look for are pushy sales people and F & I people.. Finance and insurance in my eyes, are the worse kind. My wife has worked her whole life, since very young, as her parents use to own a Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep and Int'l truck dealership. She's still at another dealership and refuses to work at any that have F & I. According to her, long term and short term, F & I will do under a dealer. In fact on 60 minutes they were showing how kickback interest is arrived at and all, was by F & I who take unfair advantage of the people who try and buy. I also, like to walk around, touchy, feely, look at many sizes of tractors (regardless of brand make) and if interested, will walk in and ask for a sales person. If the sales person rushes out and starts in, I simply hold up my hand and tell them, enough, then go elsewhere..

trkbldr · Apr 12, 2004

Gatorboy, I too am put off by overbearing sales people /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif. Furniture and appliance people seem to be the worst, with car sales people a close second /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif. I tell these people that I would like some time to look around and when I need assistance I will be sure to look them up. If they continue to follow me around, I will leave. However, I do think that when I ask for assistance, it should be forthcoming. That was my problem with about 3 of the tractor dealers I visited. Even when I asked for assistance, I didn't get any /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif. These dealers were not busy at the time. It's almost like I was a bother to them. Now, I will not beg anyone to sell me something. If they don't want my business, someone else will. I have read other posts from people who have had a similar experience /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif. Just wanted to share mine.

GerardC · Apr 12, 2004

( ( I for one hate to have salesmen hounding me when I go to look at tractors, cars, or anything for that matter. I like to look around in peace without having to be pressured to engage in idle chit-chat, knowing that their sole purpose is to get me to spend my money.

When I am ready to get more information or purchase an item -- regardless of the store -- then I will approach an employee. But that's just me.) )

I agree somewhat. I do however like to be approached and asked, "May I help you". That shows me that they are paying attention, that I am there, and will assist me if/when I flag them down.

EastTexFrank · Apr 12, 2004

It may be a Deere thing. In the last year I've been in 4 JD dealerships in and around our little town and any kind of service has been noticable by its absence except for the one I'll mention later. I don't like to be bothered by salesmen when I'm wandering around looking but when I walk into their place of business I at least like my presence to be acknowledged. I did find one good Deere dealership in a town about 50 miles away. The salesman approached me when I was looking around their yard, introduced himself, said "If I can be of any help, I'll be inside" and then left. When I entered their building he came over and walked me to the coffee pot while answering my questions. The one question he couldn't answer, we adjourned to his office where he looked it up and made a phone call to confirm it. So they can do it if they try and are interested. The Kubota dealer near me if pretty helpful but the best one is a dealer who only handles Chinese imports. The lady salesperson/owner there is a part time farmer and knows a lot more about tractors than I do. It was a pleasure to talk to her and her husband. In fact on a slow day I sometimes drop in by for a cup of coffee and to pass 10 minutes. I think it just depends on the owner and the attitude they demand from their staff whether they make you feel welcome on their lot or not. Needless to say, if they are too pushy and give me the green/orange/blue/red is best and the rest are junk routine ... I leave and if they totally ignore me, I leave ... usually never to go back.
Have you noticed by some of the posts on this board that people spend a lot more time researching and visiting tractor dealerships before buying than they do before buying a car. I wonder why that is? Is it just familiarity?