Purchase Information

[radman1]

I agree with you except about the dealers. Back when we were talking about buying one and how much they cost, some guys were getting quotes 7K-9K more. Then there was a big discussion about how much a dealer "should" make on one, bottom line is, my dealer asked me to remove the infomation I posted about what a fair deal is, he also said that Bobcat might be contacting me about it. Makes me worry about what to say when the dealers or salesmen on this site don't like not being able to gouge customers so they call Bobcat to get a good and fair dealer in trouble and try to make sure others don't know. People wouldn't be willing to drive hundreds of miles if there wasn't alot of difference in price. Hopefully I don't get in trouble for these comments!

OK I'm done now no more about prices, just info on the new D-series.
Rides great, very easy to use, I will take some more pics let me know what you want.

I had a salesman quote me about a D series last week. HiFlow, larger tires, A/C, bucket, road package, 90" mower but without the bale spear you had in your price, he was about $1200 higher. That was without any haggling and just talking on the phone to a salesman I didn't know. I know that is not the final price. I wouldn't feel bad about quoting what you paid. Those guys are in a world of disbelief if they think this information is their own. TBN is just a tiny part of the tractor and skidsteer world. Way less than 1% of tractor owners probably know this site exists. People state the prices of cars, trucks, tractors, mowers and anything else on the internet. Does Edmonds.com get in trouble for stating the invoice price of automobiles and their options? How many people on TBN say what the quotes for tractors are? You broke no rules either legally or ethically. I have never had a dealer tell me to never discuss what I paid for something. The salesmen that quote list price aren't going to sell many toolcats.
I respect your decision not to discuss prices or get your dealer in any trouble. I am just going to keep drooling over those toolcat pictures and learn more about owning and operating the toolcat.

 

[greensway]

I do not see why there is such a secrecy about pricing.
I know that when I need fuel, and am driving down the road there are many LARGE signs stating exactly how much I will pay per gallon - I know that it cost the company no where near $ 2.75 per gallon, but understand that there are many executives to be paid multi-million dollar salaries and bonuses,
also many well paid workers in the oil side ( not gas station ).

And I realize that I will not receice any service of any kind at that gas station!!!

There are many dealerships across the country selling many machines with customers paying a premium - If you do not want the product at it's price ( negotiated of course ) you are not required to purchase it!

In the same note, you can tell anyone what you paid for any item in America - at least for now.

December 2006 purchased a 2006 Toolcat "C" with road kit heat & air, bucket & 48" forks for $36,000 even.

 

[jmfox]

It strikes me as odd that there would be any question about our right to share such information. The horse traders of old have benefited from this unsaid rule that keeps personal our gain; while all along sercuring their domain. I don't expect the exact same deal at the lowest price. I may not be as pretty, or charming, or helpful, as the next guy; and I am quite willing to reward fairness and forthrightness. All I ask is that when I walk in the door that I'm treated within the bounds of fairness. If you want more and ask nicely I might give it to you, but if you pretend otherwise, the only help I can offer is to leave you be.

jmf

 

[k6dyc]

... bottom line is, my dealer asked me to remove the infomation I posted about what a fair deal is, he also said that Bobcat might be contacting me about it. ... Hopefully I don't get in trouble for these comments!

Dealers are arguably the most important part of the purchase equation, once you have selected a specific brand. Your dealer asked you to remove the pricing info, but we really don't know exactly why. Perhaps he was giving you an exceptionally good deal, one that was below the minimum pricing standards of Bobcat per his dealer agreement. That would be the only condition under which IR Corporate might be contacting you IMHO. It would certainly be a poor marketing move for corporate to contact a customer about dealer pricing practices.

I can't come up with any scenario that would cause you any 'trouble' for posting pricing, but I understand removing it at your dealer's request, especially if you feel you got a great deal and you like the dealer. The worst that could happen is your dealer gets in hot water, and it sours your relationship with them. Hopefully, removing your pricing information will maintain your good dealer relationship.

Thanks for all your feedback, and keep the info and pics coming! Did you confirm that they moved the drive lever to the right side of the steering wheel as it appears in the pics?

 

[theoshin]

had a long chat with my local shop manager. he recently spent time with the new "d". many changes which could improve performance. this model change has many more changes than the ones before. because of this i am going to wait at least a year before considering moving to the d. lots of new engineering. f/example - the hydraulic power distribution alogrithms are changed - they are trying to prevent the one front wheel spinning problem i suffer from when trying to load from a stiff pile - like our clay soil or gravel. they are attempting to send more torque to the wheel that needs it.

sounds like the tc has not been as popular with the hard core working groups and has been more popular with municipalities and acreage owners. b/o this they changed the design for a better ride. ride quality was the number one reason (per my sources) for all the changes. they need to cater to their buyers. the solid axels are more durable, but at the cost of ride quality. for municipalities and home owners bobcat feels (per my sources) like the new suspension is built heavy enough to withstand those work conditions.

i see me "in a d" - but not until i give them time to work out any bugs. it does have some significant potential advantages over the c.

my 2 cents

 

[jmfox]

I think Panther1400's excitement, along with others here, have sold Toolcats, and deserve credit. If the company rewards him I wouldn't be surprised, and I would expect him to enjoy it in private. If Corporate is privy to any of this, then they have learned that dealers are not all the same. Dealers who prey on a customer's excitement are abusing territorial protections. Notwithstanding the laws which protect consumers in these circumstances; inconvenient dealers, who recognize and are willing to accommodate a Bobcat customer with a fair offer, should be seen as Bobcat's last chance champions for saving customers who were on their way to buy a John Deere or ASV compact machine. Toolcats maybe unique, but a change in format is not as difficult for the customer as Bobcat might hope.

jmf

 

[panther1400]

The turn signals and horn are on the right, forward reverse neutral and high speed on left.

 

[jmfox]

Theoskin, when you say "solid axles are more durable" are you saying the axles on the C-Series have no CV joints? Do you have any graphics from the shop manual or can you see this on your machine?

jmf

 

[radman1]

theoshin
Your shop manager says that the toolcat has not been as popular with the hard core users. My head salesman also said a similar statement. He thought they were good in many uses, but were not great at most, except snow removal. He also thought the price was just too high to justify the machine for many users. He no longer keeps them in stock but orders as needed. If he could sell them for 25-30K, then he would sell lots of them.
The toolcat is too heavy for golf courses and most lawn mowing. Doesn't lift as high as a skid steer and too slow and rough riding compared to an UTV. Having said that, it remains a great unit and there is no comparable vehicle like it. The end conclusion - Is it good enough for each operators purpose and price range? For me, it needs to have a 3 point and rear pto before I will buy one and then it will satisfy my requirements. I have heard that the 3 point model maybe available later this year. I heard it may be called the Toolcat 5610D.

 

[panther1400]

I have a 753 Bobcat and the toolcat kills it. Everything I use it for is done way better by the toolcat, lifts more, moves faster, better ride, easier on the grass than a skidloader. If you want a hardcore S250 or bigger then maybe the toolcat is too small, but it might be possible that the people who could use one need to demo one. I thought the toolcat was a good idea, but until I used it I never knew how short it could turn, how it could lift, etc. I look at it as a nible, fast, Bobcat.