Price Check Price Check on a 3000 series with Backhoe

[jcmseven]

To all:

One of my good friends is thinking about a JD 3520 AutoHST with a 300cx level loader and standard bucket, loaded R4 tires (standard size 6 ply) and the JD backhoe. Of course, the Power Beyond would be necessary with this. He has been quoted estimate of 31,500-32,000 dollars on this machine, plus tax. I wanted to gauge this price with what others might have recently gotten. If anyone out there has recently gotten any 3000 series machine with a backhoe and loader, please forward me your information and I can adjust for the machine. I appreciate the responses in advance

John M

 

[AKfish]

John;

A little vicarious "tractor-fix" for you..?

Based upon what I've read here on TBN lately regarding new purchases (and the American Quarter Horse Assoc. discount) it would seem to me that anything on the order of 20% below MSRP would be a good deal.

AKfish

 

[jcmseven]

Absolutely. I have been talking with my friend about a JD machine of this type. The price we have gotten thus far is $32000 for a 3520 AutoHST with loaded R4 tires, a 300cx loader with standard bucket and a backhoe with power beyond etc (this is before tax). I am not too familiar with the backhoe's as I have never had one on any of my machines. In my adding it up, I am only getting about a 9-10% discount v. the retail price. I might be wrong about this, though. I wanted to see if anyone within our group has had a recent purchase of a similar machine so that I could comparison shop. My friend the dealer has configured the price and my initial thought is that it is not that great, but I wanted the panel's opinion on it and potentially whether I need to advise my friend to get another quote (though I would not like to do that). My friend says that once his dealership was acquired by a "chain" i.e., company who owns multiple dealerships, they have been unable to provide those 15-20 plus % deals anymore. I did not know if that has been seen in other areas also. Here in NC it is quite difficult to find an independent dealer with whom one would want to work, as most of them have either gone out of business, are struggling mightily, or have been incorporated into larger entities who have essentially a monopoly. Thoughts are welcomed.

 

[jenkinsph]

John,
Whether the saleman is a friend or not he still needs to compete on pricing. I would shop the smaller dealers too. What I will generally do is make an offer that is a good deal to me, they usually counter with a higher price and I leave a card and ask them to call me if they reconsider. If you do that at a few dealers you will get a better idea of the going price. My latest 2009 4520 was purchased at 18% off list. Hope that helps.

 

[jcmseven]

Steve, I agree fully. Especially in our current economy one would think that the deals would be flying. It is my perception that this is not an outstanding deal, but wanted the opinion from the group about whether my math is wrong or not before I begin stout negotiating. I want to make sure that my friend is not only happy with his machine but happy with the price he got also. I feel pretty sure my friend would attempt to match any other deal out there, so I will continue to generate some competitive quotes.

John M

 

[AKfish]

John;

Your friend should give the local boys a nudge.. or two! The MSRP has been inching upwards with inflation and related price increases (every year).
Deducting from that (list price) certainly does not mean that a dealer is LOSING money. They're just not making AS MUCH.

In the current economic climate - any sale - is better than NO sale.

In the 18 months since I bought my last tractor, I've spent nearly $8K with my local dealer... that's about $450/month.

Buying a tractor should be recognized by the dealer and the purchaser that both parties are entering into a long-term business relationship that extends beyond the monthly payment book.

(I have little doubt that such a relationship between yourself and the local dealer is the basis for your reluctance to "steer" your friend much one way or the other. Especially given the number of tractors, etc. that you've owned over the year's. This sentiment is more for those considering a new or new-to-them tractor purchase.)

AKfish

 

[sunnyside360]

15% to 18% discount from MSRP seems to be the range of good deals the last few years. I got about 17% discount on both a 3720 Cab tractor and a 4320 open station purchased from two different dealers in the past couple years. But, I had to shop around and tell the dealers I was looking for competitive pricing. One dealer even thanked me for coming back and telling him the lower price he had to beat, which he did, plus he threw in free Rim Guard for the tires.

 

[RollTideRam]

It is strange to see so many dealers joining together to save money, but they always are higher. My independant dealer is always cheaper, and I am thankful to have them. JC