It's all in the dealer.
I write this while reflecting on the posts I've read which debated buying locally as to traveling a little for the best deal. Personally, I've been of the mindset that I'd do what I had to in order to save a little money, but after the experience I had today, I've now concluded that shopping for the best dealer is more important than shopping for the best price.
For some time now, I've been comparing the different tractors found near me, and these include the Kioti, Mahindra, Branson, New Holland, and Farm Trac. I've been very impressed with each and every one of them, which only seemed to make the selection process that much more difficult. On any given weekend, I would change my mind as to which one I would like to have more so than the others. Eventually, even my wife started kidding me about my lack of loyalty, as she took to asking me which tractor was "it" following each new Internet search or dealer visit that I would make. Well, this morning one of these local dealers did a lot to sure up my loyalty for themselves.
At a nice little shop called Lanier Equipment, I had been invited back for today while visiting them last weekend. Said that they had an antique tractor show planned, and that this was something they did each Spring. So I decided to make a little trip over to their place this morning and check it out.
At first I was surprised by the number of trucks parked everywhere. Had to pull off in the grass further down the road and walk a little ways. Once there I was immediately greeted by Bill, the young man who had invited me the weekend before. The first thing out of his mouth was, I've got a little surprise for you in the back." Seems that he had gone to his supplier and picked up a particular tractor with the exact equipment I had question him about the week before. Now, he had no assurance that I would return today, and I had told him that I would not actually be purchasing a tractor until this winter. Yet, in his preparations for this weekend's event, he had accommodated my interest by making sure that the exact tractor that I had mentioned to him was present on his lot. Needless to say, this did not go unnoticed by me. I was quite impressed.
The antique show was very interesting. First I had ever been to. It was quite a bit of fun talking to some of the old timers who had been into restoring tractors for years. One guy had even brought up a few of his tractors he uses in pulling contests. Man! They do certainly quicken your pulse when they were running at full throttle. Made me sorry for not having brought the camera. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif
For the kids, there was a petting corral, pony ride, and moonwalk. My three-year-old daughter really enjoyed these. In addition to this, they had planned a chainsaw carving event, bluegrass band, and Bar-B-Q. By lunchtime I was really impressed. I was expecting to pay a little for at least the meal, but everything was free. I can't think of any other event I have been to, outside of family gatherings, where the food was free. Some had actually brought covered dishes for desert.
On a couple of occasions, Bill, and then Mark, sought me out to make sure I had checked out the tractors. I had never even talked to Mark before today, but he obviously knew whom I was and the tractor I was interested in.
I was thoroughly impressed with this company's effort to reach out to its community. They did a spectacular job, and made an event held at an equipment company "family oriented". For their trouble they convinced me that they are really decent guys. People I would really like to deal with. Also, they made me believe that they will be around for many years to come. This is important to me, because I plan on keeping this tractor for many years.
Now, when it actually comes time to negotiate the price, I will deal with this company even if their price is higher than another further on down the road. Brand loyalty? Let's talk dealer loyalty. I believe that I would be ecstatic with any tractor sold to me by these guys, because I know that their heart is in the right place, with their customers. Also, they have already earned my business this summer when I go to purchase the new hand-held trimmer and chainsaw I'm in need of. Now I can hardly wait til this coming year.
So, if you are questioning which tractor brand to buy. Believe me, they are all quite capable. For I've crawled over, under, and researched them to the point of tedium. Make the dealer your primary focus and your mind will be set at ease.
By the way, the company is Lanier Equipment in Buford, Georgia.
I write this while reflecting on the posts I've read which debated buying locally as to traveling a little for the best deal. Personally, I've been of the mindset that I'd do what I had to in order to save a little money, but after the experience I had today, I've now concluded that shopping for the best dealer is more important than shopping for the best price.
For some time now, I've been comparing the different tractors found near me, and these include the Kioti, Mahindra, Branson, New Holland, and Farm Trac. I've been very impressed with each and every one of them, which only seemed to make the selection process that much more difficult. On any given weekend, I would change my mind as to which one I would like to have more so than the others. Eventually, even my wife started kidding me about my lack of loyalty, as she took to asking me which tractor was "it" following each new Internet search or dealer visit that I would make. Well, this morning one of these local dealers did a lot to sure up my loyalty for themselves.
At a nice little shop called Lanier Equipment, I had been invited back for today while visiting them last weekend. Said that they had an antique tractor show planned, and that this was something they did each Spring. So I decided to make a little trip over to their place this morning and check it out.
At first I was surprised by the number of trucks parked everywhere. Had to pull off in the grass further down the road and walk a little ways. Once there I was immediately greeted by Bill, the young man who had invited me the weekend before. The first thing out of his mouth was, I've got a little surprise for you in the back." Seems that he had gone to his supplier and picked up a particular tractor with the exact equipment I had question him about the week before. Now, he had no assurance that I would return today, and I had told him that I would not actually be purchasing a tractor until this winter. Yet, in his preparations for this weekend's event, he had accommodated my interest by making sure that the exact tractor that I had mentioned to him was present on his lot. Needless to say, this did not go unnoticed by me. I was quite impressed.
The antique show was very interesting. First I had ever been to. It was quite a bit of fun talking to some of the old timers who had been into restoring tractors for years. One guy had even brought up a few of his tractors he uses in pulling contests. Man! They do certainly quicken your pulse when they were running at full throttle. Made me sorry for not having brought the camera. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif
For the kids, there was a petting corral, pony ride, and moonwalk. My three-year-old daughter really enjoyed these. In addition to this, they had planned a chainsaw carving event, bluegrass band, and Bar-B-Q. By lunchtime I was really impressed. I was expecting to pay a little for at least the meal, but everything was free. I can't think of any other event I have been to, outside of family gatherings, where the food was free. Some had actually brought covered dishes for desert.
On a couple of occasions, Bill, and then Mark, sought me out to make sure I had checked out the tractors. I had never even talked to Mark before today, but he obviously knew whom I was and the tractor I was interested in.
I was thoroughly impressed with this company's effort to reach out to its community. They did a spectacular job, and made an event held at an equipment company "family oriented". For their trouble they convinced me that they are really decent guys. People I would really like to deal with. Also, they made me believe that they will be around for many years to come. This is important to me, because I plan on keeping this tractor for many years.
Now, when it actually comes time to negotiate the price, I will deal with this company even if their price is higher than another further on down the road. Brand loyalty? Let's talk dealer loyalty. I believe that I would be ecstatic with any tractor sold to me by these guys, because I know that their heart is in the right place, with their customers. Also, they have already earned my business this summer when I go to purchase the new hand-held trimmer and chainsaw I'm in need of. Now I can hardly wait til this coming year.
So, if you are questioning which tractor brand to buy. Believe me, they are all quite capable. For I've crawled over, under, and researched them to the point of tedium. Make the dealer your primary focus and your mind will be set at ease.
By the way, the company is Lanier Equipment in Buford, Georgia.