Price Check OK, Got Some Numbers - Thoughts?

[fabsroman]

Yeah, emails are a lot easier than the phone but as AKfish noted, they can get ignored...unless the IT guy comes along I'm not big on haggling but I do try to get a good deal. I should probably just let my fiance do it; she enjoys the haggling process and is very good at it. I'll just come along with the check when she's done

If the dealer ignores the e-mail, then what does it tell you about their sense of business. Me, I find it a lot harder to forget about an e-mail because it continues to stare me in the fax in Outlook. Kind of like an unanswered letter on my desk. If I listen to a voicemail and then go about my business with making a note of it or returning it right away, then I sometimes forget about it.

Ultimately, if anybody wants your business, they will return e-mails. I know I surely do when a potential client sends me an e-mail.

As far as haggling goes, I'm an attorney and am used to it. Plus, I'm a CPA which means I pinch pennies like you wouldn't believe. Only reason I didn't shop around is because I don't think many dealers will have a 2011 with 2010 guts in it. In fact, I am somewhat skeptical about what this guy told me on the phone and will most definitely check it out myself when I go to look at it next week prior to delivery.

With all that said, I have no issue answering the phone. The salesman called me first thing in the morning and I answered the phone. Talked to my wife about it and then picked up the phone to call him back to tell him I wanted it and to give him a deposit. Got his direct e-mail address too and am about to e-mail him with my availability next week for the delivery.

 

[AKfish]

If the dealer ignores the e-mail, then what does it tell you about their sense of business.

Ultimately, if anybody wants your business, they will return e-mails. I know I surely do when a potential client sends me an e-mail.

Amen... Time is money and/or a missed opportunity!

I think dealers and salesman tend to ignore emails because they don't believe the senders are "serious buyers"!

Serious buyers are the ones who call or show up at the front door...

Well, from my perspective there are many more buyers that are inclined to pursue a deal across the country or from another country, entirely.

The Internet has made the world a "smaller place" and business is a more global enterprise.

AKfish

 

[tony binkowski]

i got a price on 2720 with fel, 54in blower and boxer cab(way nice) for $26000 hope this helps. tony

 

[fabsroman]

Amen... Time is money and/or a missed opportunity!

I think dealers and salesman tend to ignore emails because they don't believe the senders are "serious buyers"!

Serious buyers are the ones who call or show up at the front door...

Well, from my perspective there are many more buyers that are inclined to pursue a deal across the country or from another country, entirely.

The Internet has made the world a "smaller place" and business is a more global enterprise.

AKfish

I was treated worse when I actually walked into one dealership versus when I sent an e-mail to another. They are separated by about 30 miles. One is 8 miles from me and the other is 22 miles from me. The one that responded to my e-mail will actually be the one I speak to first about a 3520 or 3720, and if another dealer cannot beat them by a decent amount, and I am not just talking about a hundred or two hundred dollars, then they will continue to get my business. I actually had to cut the salesman off this morning to meet with a banker. That is how much he was willing to talk to me about zero turn mowers versus the guy at the dealer I walked into.

I guess it all depends what generation you come from. A lot of old school attorneys still work by the phone, and the phone only. Meanwhile, the younger generation are mostly e-mail types unless something is really long and complicated. Me, I figure out what form of communication my clients prefer and then I use it whenever possible.

 

[BleedGreen]

...I don't think many dealers will have a 2011 with 2010 guts in it. In fact, I am somewhat skeptical about what this guy told me on the phone and will most definitely check it out myself when I go to look at it next week prior to delivery.

Good idea. A 2011 Z445 will have the New Commercial "Cyclonic" Briggs and the ZT2800 transmissions. A 2010 Z445 will have the Kawasaki commercial grade engine and a Kanzaki Dual-Unitized Pump (DUP) with Parker Wheel Motors. The 2010 could have the standard "Edge" mower or the upgraded "High-Capacity" mower while the 2011 will only be available with the "Edge" mowers.

 

[Rand]

Just ordered a 2520 today. Paid 13500 for the tractor (with JD incentive), 2900 for cx200 load (with 61 " materials bucket), and about 6800 for the backhoe. Sounds like the prices are reasonable, but it might pay you to check around and get a price from another dealer or two. However I believe it prudent to consider the reputation of the dealership, and not simply the price.

 

[WhisperingWinds]

Amen... Time is money and/or a missed opportunity!

I think dealers and salesman tend to ignore emails because they don't believe the senders are "serious buyers"!

Serious buyers are the ones who call or show up at the front door...

Well, from my perspective there are many more buyers that are inclined to pursue a deal across the country or from another country, entirely.

The Internet has made the world a "smaller place" and business is a more global enterprise.

AKfish

Absolutely agree...most of my purchases are online these days and merchants need to accept that this is the trend. Heck, you can even order a JD tractor online if you want to. I wouldn't think too many folks would be wasting time emailing dealerships for information if they weren't seriously considering a purchase. I use it as a screening process. The reason I went in person to the first dealer was because they were recommended and cuz they were closest and a good starting point. If no one else wants to respond to my emails, that's OK - I wouldn't want to do business there anyway.

 

[WhisperingWinds]

Just ordered a 2520 today. Paid 13500 for the tractor (with JD incentive), 2900 for cx200 load (with 61 " materials bucket), and about 6800 for the backhoe. Sounds like the prices are reasonable, but it might pay you to check around and get a price from another dealer or two. However I believe it prudent to consider the reputation of the dealership, and not simply the price.

Thanks for the numbers, Rand. Yeah, I'm gonna check around a bit more but as you said, "....consider the reputation of the dealership..." I always try to get recommedations from folks I trust first. Good luck with your new purchase too!