Now I believe ...

[HRS]

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.

 

[KiotiJohn]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( By the way, the company is Lanier Equipment in Buford, Georgia. )</font>
To be exact: Lanier Outdoor Equipment. So what are you looking at there? A Branson? I see they carry Cub Cadet as a product, but is that a tractor or their mowers?
I agree, the dealer can sure make a difference. But what are all these guys who live near dealers who are not so great? We've had lots of posts where the buyer couldn't find anyone nearby that was worth dealing with. I say go the extra miles if the local is a jerk. Most of the time, you won't need the dealer very much anyway until hours have accumulated, and many of the dealers will be dead by the time you need major repairs!
Thanks for your intuitive post. John

 

[gamble77]

Great! Glad the dealer supports the community...sounds like you have a good dealer who cares about their customers.

 

[HRS]

Correct! Lanier Outdoor Equipment, how could I forget the outdoor part. My face is bright red right now from all the sun I got this afternoon while visiting them.

It is sad that some dealers do not realize the influence of word-of-mouth advertising. I, too, have tried to talk to dealers who were, preoccupied, I guess. They didn't seem too concerned about my interests. Several car dealers have definitely caused me to walk over the years.

The question I now ponder is the value in possibly paying more, if needed, to someone who really does care about their community. Even though, give or take, an hour&#8217;s drive could save you money. Now the argument could be made. Sure, drive if it will save thousands. Who wouldn't? But then, someone trying to take you for that kind of money wouldn't really have the interest of his or her customers at heart. They truly would be a jerk.

Now, if the local dealer of one brand of tractor proves to be bad, and you have your heart set on that particular brand and nothing else will do. Then yes, drive. Your dealer is probably in the next town. But for me, after having looked, read, and studied, I find there to be so many similarities between the various brands until I couldn't argue that one is really any better than another. Now this allows me to visit all of the local dealers, brands that I mentioned earlier. If you only have one of them in your community and he's a rotten apple, then I concede. You do what you must do. However, if there were more than one nearby, I wouldn't hesitate to go with my number two preference if I picked up on the right vibes from the dealer.

I believe that your dealer will be needed in the near future. I've dealt with tractors enough to know that they do breakdown, and I've read many posts on TBN from owners of all the makes. I see plenty from owners of new machines who are seeking help.

As I reflect on today, I wonder how much more I'd be willing to pay for that relationship with a local guy who is in your corner. Sadly, at one time, I'd have said $0, but not today. I experienced a "flavor" in this community of sorts that I don't ever see in my day-to-day dealings. Too much is the same anymore, big, boxed, and bland. Everywhere you look its just another street with the same stores on either side.

This got me to thinking about other "dealers" in my community. I'm in need of two padlocks and a length of chain. Guess where I didn't go to pick these items up? No, there is a local guy right down from me with a hardware store. His prices are a little bit higher, but I'm beginning to see the value in this type of investment.

Yes, they carry Branson. Nice looking little tractor. The only tractor type Cub I saw was a 5000 series. Now I'd love to have one that small for my garden. But I've got to get something larger first.