Picking the best tractor dealer....

stonebase · Jan 15, 2004

I've been reading TBN for about 2 months now in preparation for my new tractor purchase. The one comment that current owners almost unanimously offer up as advice is to buy from a dealer that is fair and "treats you right"

As I have already visited about 7 or 8 dealers of the various brands, I've discovered just how much difference there is between the levels of customer service each provide. My experiences range from a cold, indifferent sales pitch from the least favorite dealer to others that just seem to make you feel wanted.

To me, as probably to everyone, service after the sale is a big issue. Being somewhat "mechanically challenged" I am looking for someone who will play a big part in maintaining this large investment. When asking about, say for example, 50 hour service several of the dealers merely said they would sell the fluids and filters for the owner to perform the maintenance. It almost seemed like I was imposing on them asking that question. I would hate to see if a warranty issue would come up and how they would handle that!!!!

On the other hand, another dealer I visited last week said that they would send a mechanic to my property to perform the 50 hours service free of charge as a courtesy for buying the tractor from them. All I would have to pay is the cost of the fluid and filters. They would also take any used fluids with them for proper disposal. Now to me that is service that means alot to me. Hopefully when the time comes this dealer has the right product to suit my needs at the right price. I sure would be comfortable doing business with them.

Other dealers have said they offer other services such as low cost implement rental for those pieces you may just need on occaison. I am just curious what value-added services have YOUR dealers provided for you. Does anyone have any helpful comments of your experiences, either positive or negative that have influenced your purchase decision?

John /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

art · Jan 15, 2004

Just a thought, the dealer with the (free) service call sounds like something you might need. I'd also take the time to be there to see what he does and it would be a good time to go over the tractor. There are many ways dealers are different. At the store I'm at we had a bad service guy on lawn mowers about a year ago, so to counter we started a policy of if the mowers broke and the lawn is half done the truck goes out with a mower, otherwise if it is done within five working days it's back to you. See who would work with you for servicing your needs! Now is a good time to talk to dealers as it is the slowest time of the year.

44trxfun · Jan 15, 2004

The JD dealer where I started seemed pretty arrogant to me, and uninterested in such a "small" sale (not to me, but to them). The dealer I ended up using had a down-to-earth attitude that suited me well. They included pick-up & delivery (P & D) as well as the 50-hour service with the purchase price. They were upfront about the fact that P & D wasn't free, even for warranty work, but said they would try to coordinate with other trips to reduce costs. (They're about 40 miles from me.) I realize they have time/costs involved in that service so I can live with that. They've shipped me parts and been responsive to my questions. My 50 hour service was about 30 hours ago and next week they're picking up the tractor to install a block heater. They're not charging me for P & D. All in all, I feel I'm being treated fairly. Best I could reasonably ask for...

songhunter · Jan 15, 2004

Stonebase,
I went through very similar experiences when looking for a small tractor. Some dealers seemed very arrogant. One even said he didn't sell any tractors that small, even though he was a NH dealer. It was frustrating at first, but I noticed that all dealer's attitudes changed when they realized I was serious about buying a tractor.

I suspect dealers have a lot of people who wander around the lots and have no intention of buying anything. They probably get tired of spending time with them. Their demeanor changes, though, when a potential customer pulls into the lot towing a utility trailer! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Talk to the sales folks. Ask if you can test drive the tractor. Tour the shops. Talk to the mechanics. Look over their service equipment in the shop and the service vehicles to see if they're in working order. Check with the parts department, talking to the clerks. Get an idea of the inventory they stock.
Be alert for any sign of "going out of business". There are a lot of dealers that are on the financial edge.

Finally, talk to customers of the dealer to see if they make good on sales and service promises. If you don't know any customers, go to a local rental center that rents equipment serviced by the dealer. Don't depend on how the dealer makes you feel welcome. Many excellent dealers are not real good at giving customers that warm, fuzzy feeling. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Those are just a few things I'd recommend. Hope all goes well!

beenthere · Jan 15, 2004

I have a great dealer, and I think I treat him well and in return, he treats me well. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I try to remember that if he is going to stay in business for me to use him in the future (I plan to be in this area for several more years until I die), he will have to make money off of me and his other customers. He isn't a 'goodwill' service provided by the Government (liberals like these kinds of services provided by someone else's tax dollars), and he must make a profit to pay his bills and stay in business. A free pickup and delivery has to be either paid up front when the tractor is purchased, or built into the cost of the repair or products sold to maintain the machine. Find that dealer who is up front with all his costs and helps you get done what you want to get done - be it attachments available for rent so you don't have to buy them for occasional use. Mine does just that. I don't expect anything "free" from my dealer. If he wants to do something for "free", I will accomodate him and thank him. We get along great. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Golfgar4 · Jan 15, 2004

( I suspect dealers have a lot of people who wander around the lots and have no intention of buying anything. They probably get tired of spending time with them. Their demeanor changes, though, when a potential customer pulls into the lot towing a utility trailer! )

Bruce,

I agree with your comments, but I think a salesperson/dealer who has a poor attitude toward "lookers" really doesn't appreciate the probable loss of a potential buyer. The dealer who does take the lookers seriously has a much better chance of getting that person back when they might be ready to buy.

I started looking around at tractors in '02, but I knew that I wouldn't be able to buy until mid '05. I did this to learn, get comfortable with the process, and to find good dealers. I ALWAYS told the salesperson who approached me (when they DID approach me) what I was doing and why. And I was always up front with him about when I might be buying.

A couple of salespeople basically told me to come back when I'm ready to buy. Well guess what? That's not going to happen.

But a number of salespeople were genuinely interested in what I wanted to find out and what my interests were. These people also were willing to put me on their mailing lists, both through the regular mail and e-mail. And these same dealers have NEVER pressured me on when I would be buying. There's even one dealer, who I REALLY like, that as a joke, has started a kind of count down clock toward when I think I'll be buying.

So I do think that, regardless of how serious a person is when they walk in the door, how they are treated from the get-go is important. The dealer may have an excellent service department, but if I'm uncomfortable with the people I need to work with, it's not going to make our relationship very enjoyable.

All your other points I agree with completely, and it is all good advice. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

thcri · Jan 15, 2004

It's really funny on how a person is set out to buy something and a arrogant sales person can change one man's mind. When I went out I was all set to buy. I knew which brand I wanted. Well that sales person I don't think took me seriously and basically could only bad mouth the competition. I didn't care about the competition at the time. I wanted what he had and I found out nothing about his product, but I did find out how bad one other brand was. He went on and on about people making stupid decisions about buying other brands. He didn't have to say a thing to me other than give me a fair price and I woud have bought right there. He bad mouthed on particular brand so bad I just had to go see how bad it actually was. Hmmm, after test driving the blue tractor he bad mouthed so bad I kind of got to like it. Then the sales person impressed me also. Then when he gave me the price I was shocked. But that goes both ways people, sales people from all brands are either good or bad. That's why I firmly believe the dealership means more than the product.

just my opinion

murph

JDgreen227 · Jan 15, 2004

My feelings are that if you find a good salesman at a good dealership that sells a good product, you are very fortunate. I purchased a JD garden tractor in '89 from a small family business that closed a few years later. When I was seriously looking for a bigger tractor I tracked down my salesman from '89 and he was still selling JD for another dealership.

He knew I was going to buy sooner or later and although it took me three years he never pushed me to buy and we kept in touch as I used his dealership for parts. When I finally made the purchase he gave me a VERY good price and I think part of the reason was because of the past relationship we had. I was really fortunate, a good product at a fair price from a reputable dealership, all because I had a great and helpful and WELL INFORMED salesman.

You can have the best tractor made at a low price, but if you are not happy with the dealership you purchased it from, it's going to deter from your ownership experience.

Oh--my salesman told me afterwards that if all his customers took 13 years to buy another tractor from him, he would have given up the business a long time ago.

PineRidge · Jan 15, 2004

John purchasing a new or even a used tractor can be very enjoyable if you take your time, ask lots of questions, and write down details. When I was in the market for my last tractor 1st I looked at all the different "creature comforts" that each manufacturer offered. After all you do want to be comfortable since you should plan on spending some time on the tractor actually working. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif A tractor that gives you a pain in the small of your back, is one that you will remember the rest of your life. Then when I decided on a particular make I started to narrow it down to whom I was comfortable in buying from and also a dealer that was really interested in servicing my equipment and needs.

If you will not be able to do the majority of the service will your dealer transport your tractor to and from his shop? And if so will the transportation charges be reasonable?

Also worth note here is the fact that some dealers can be thousands of dollars higher for the same package so do your homework before you sign on the dotted line. You don't want to end up on one of these forums months from now telling everyone about the tractor that you no longer like!

Good luck to you, I hope you find a nice BLUE tractor to you liking. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

hazmat · Jan 15, 2004

Here's a thread from the spring regarding my dealer

Dealer continues to make the difference

My R4's were tearing up the lawn & they hooked me up with a set of turf tires for 1/2 price.

When I was first shopping, they started out with a fair (relative to high New England local prices) price & even came down $300 bucks in our negotiations. All other local dealers started high & wouldn't budge. I had to notify the Deere dealer of the rebates that were currently offered.

When I made the purchase, the MMM wasn't in stock & not expected for a month or two. They loaned me a rear finish mower for the duration so that I could cut the grass. When the MMM came in, they picked up the machine & installed it. Filled the tires with Rim Guard (a premium vs. CaCl) at no extra charge for my "trouble"

Whenever I'm in there I stop by to BS with the sales guy. He knows his stuff top to bottom. He is happy to offer advice, even if I don't buy from him. Example, when shopping for an aerator, landpride & woods couldn't touch the price of the midwest one, so I bought it from sweettractors (tbn sponser). They were familiar with the midwest - said it would do the job fine for me. He has been competative on a rotary cutter, spreader, carry all, and chainsaw (Stihl).

He happily obliges when I ask for a spec sheet (that's just the engineer in me). When I was shopping for a used blower, he helped me to get the right size & told me who made the old Ford blowers for Ford/New Holland.

I've seen several implements for sale at a slight discount that had been returned by the purchaser. Guy buys blower, decides it's too small, Ted gives him his money back towards larger one - that type of thing...

Parts guys will take a phone order & leave the goodies out for me (It's tough for me to get there b4 5pm).