New Holland T1520 BREAKS in Two?

[EX3200]

I didn't buy a New Holland because my local dealer isn't someone I can work with.

I didn't buy a Kubota for the same reason.

 

[tjkadar]

It goes to show you how important the dealer is in the final equation of which tractor to buy. Often, that is what makes or breaks a deal, not the color of the tractor.

 

[johnnylight]

It goes to show you how important the dealer is in the final equation of which tractor to buy. Often, that is what makes or breaks a deal, not the color of the tractor.

you nailed it.

 

[Ford850]

It goes to show you how important the dealer is in the final equation of which tractor to buy. Often, that is what makes or breaks a deal, not the color of the tractor.

Exactly. After lengthy research I settled on NH. But once I started working with the nearest dealer I changed my mind. Luckily I found the red version of the same tractor (CaseIH) a mile from the blue dealer. The red dealer was a perfect fit for my needs.

 

[Harold_J]

...perfect fit for my needs; ...dealer isn't someone I can work with; ...that is what makes or breaks a deal...

I'm just wondering, what are some of the dealer traits that turn you on or off to being able to make a purchase? It's kind of a general statement to say can't work with someone, or they don't meet your needs.

I have a feeling it may be different things for different buyers. For some it might be willingness to bargain on price, for others maybe answers to questions or meeting a special need. I'm not looking for the salesperson to be my buddy or have a great personality, just answer my questions and tell me a price. If the dealership has a good reputation for service and I feel the price is fair then the deal can be done.

 

[tjkadar]

I'm just wondering, what are some of the dealer traits that turn you on or off to being able to make a purchase? It's kind of a general statement to say can't work with someone, or they don't meet your needs.

I have a feeling it may be different things for different buyers. For some it might be willingness to bargain on price, for others maybe answers to questions or meeting a special need. I'm not looking for the salesperson to be my buddy or have a great personality, just answer my questions and tell me a price. If the dealership has a good reputation for service and I feel the price is fair then the deal can be done.

For me, a good dealership is defined by the ability to work through and solve a problem in an equitable and fair manner. This could be a salesman's ability to answer my questions, work with me on price, and toss in a new hat with a tractor purchase. It might be dealing directly with the owner of the company to solve a sticky problem like transportation for a warranty issue when transportation costs are clearly not covered under warranty. Or perhaps its working with the mechanics to track down a mechanical problem, get it fixed, and get back to work. Other times its as simple as getting the right parts ordered.

 

[johnnylight]

I'm just wondering, what are some of the dealer traits that turn you on or off to being able to make a purchase? It's kind of a general statement to say can't work with someone, or they don't meet your needs.

I have a feeling it may be different things for different buyers. For some it might be willingness to bargain on price, for others maybe answers to questions or meeting a special need. I'm not looking for the salesperson to be my buddy or have a great personality, just answer my questions and tell me a price. If the dealership has a good reputation for service and I feel the price is fair then the deal can be done.

I tried my Local Dealers for all 3 -kubota dealer took to long playing the car dealership game with price, John Deere was and still to this day untouchable, NH --dopey hands behind head would not work with me way over priced, so I ended up in PA --nice people 2 years later a pleasure to deal always helpful questions always answered.

 

[JMER]

For me, it would mostly boil down to trust. I usually get a pretty good read on people fairly quickly so first impressions when walking into a dealership are important I think.

 

[MikePA]

I'm just wondering, what are some of the dealer traits that turn you on or off to being able to make a purchase?

When you're at the dealer;

Check out the service area. Is it clean? Are the mechanics working? Does it look professional? Or are people standing about drinking coffee and talking? Do the mechanics wear uniforms or are they dressed in jeans and T shirts? See any trucks and trailers owned by the dealer indicating they do pick up and delivery? How many of them are there? Big enough to handle your size tractor?

Check out the showroom/sales area. Clean and neat or a pig sty? Some manufacturers have dealer awards for sales and/or service. See any hanging on the wall? Are there empty desks in the sales area? If so, why are people leaving? Do they sell attachments? If so, are they major brand name attachments or no name ones? Some major brands have dealer requirements such as stocking a certain number of models and parts to fix them. If (fill in the blank of a major vendor) is willing to trust these guys, they are probably OK.

Does the place look busy? Not so busy that you're ignored, but busy enough to know that other people trust and like the place.

Walk around the outside. Is there used equipment for sale indicating recent trade ins? Is there a good selection of new tractors and attachments? Are some of the new tractors equipped with a FEL so you can see how they look and try them out? Do some of the tractors have attachments on the three point hitch so you can try them out as well? Is there a paved, grass and dirt area for you to test drive the tractor? Will they loan you a tractor to try out on your property?

Check out the Parts Department. Lots of shelves of parts behind the counter? If not, you may be waiting if you need one. Check the shelves on your side of the counter. Are there any? Bolts, nuts, paint, oil, pins, i.e., the odds and ends and consumables a tractor needs.

Does the dealer sell other things, e.g., Ag tractors or other large farming equipment, lawn and garden tractors, chain saws, string trimmers, things that indicate the dealer is a thriving business. This can also be a problem, i.e., the dealer is a jack of all trades and a master of none or that they concentrate on their large farmer customer base to the detriment of their other customers.

Does the dealer have separate departments for each line (Large Ag, Compact, Lawn and Garden) of equipment they sell and service with separate service trucks?

Check out their web site, assuming they have one. Professional looking or are the Copyright dates still 2003? Send them an email via their web site. Get a response?

Call them on the phone. Get a cheerful receptionist or Bubba back in the garage. Or do you descend into a phone system never to emerge? How many times does the phone ring? Do they have toll free numbers?

Do they take credit cards? Do they offer local bank financing?

None of these things are fool proof. Mechanics can wear uniforms and still be incompetent. People can be friendly and still give you a raw deal. Just some things to think about as you visit each dealer. All of these things help you form an overall opinion of the dealer and what kind of support he will provide.

 

[Diesel-ME]

Mike - that sounds like EXCELLENT generic buying advice - maybe that reply should be in its own sticky thread under Buying/Pricing/Comparisons...???...

hmm, we don't have many sticky threads in this forum do we?

good job

~paul