Set-Up and PDI

[SDT]

Many (most, all?) manufacturers pay their dealers for set-up and PDI. I expect that Kubota does as well, but am not certain.

Anyone know conclusively?

SDT

 

[RickB]

I have worked at dealerships selling NH, CaseIH, Mahindra, Kioti and Kubota. None credit or pay dealers for assembling machines or PDI. Actually the opposite is true in some cases, meaning that when a machine is offered to a dealer either assembled or crated the assembled machine will carry an assembly charge with it and usually a higher freight charge than a crated unit.

 

[z0lt3c]

During my price shopping for a new SCUT, one point of difference I found was my local John Deere dealer charged a separate fees for setup, freight and delivery, while my Kubota dealer either included this at no additional charge, or it was built into the MSRP. I suspect this policy may vary from dealer to dealer.

 

[Paystar]

Even if any dealer was paid by the manufacturer, good luck finding one that won't charge you also, LOL

They're not in business because they like you. LOL

 

[SDT]

Even if any dealer was paid by the manufacturer, good luck finding one that won't charge you also, LOL

They're not in business because they like you. LOL

That's exactly the issue that I'm investigating.

I know for a fact that I was double charged a few years ago by a non Kubota dealer. Worse, the PDI for which I was double charged was not done.

Legally, such practice is fraud.

SDT

 

[Paystar]

I feel your pain SDT. That's why i quit buying Polaris ATV's after the last one I bought in 2016. Paid $90 for PDI. Brought it home and could barley shift between gears. And it was losing coolant. Brought it back and the clutches were out of alignment and it had a bad water pump housing. Then they hand me a bill for $54 for using the warranty.

I called Polaris corporate and explained. They told me sorry about my luck.

Yep, they still make millions. But I will no longer be contributing.

 

[riverpro]

Just finalizing a purchase of a new Kubota. My quote included both a freight and set-up fee (separate of each other). Didn't see the PDI charge from this particular dealer though. Could be a good thing or bad?!?

 

[riverpro]

Also to be expected, depending on how I configured the tractor the set-up fee varied.

 

[BleedingOrange]

When comparison shopping for big ticket items, all I care about is the OTD, out the door price. They can put dollar values into whichever box they want, but it,s only the total that matters.

 

[SDT]

When comparison shopping for big ticket items, all I care about is the OTD, out the door price. They can put dollar values into whichever box they want, but it,s only the total that matters.

Same here but not helpful.

SDT

 

[SDT]

I have worked at dealerships selling NH, CaseIH, Mahindra, Kioti and Kubota. None credit or pay dealers for assembling machines or PDI. Actually the opposite is true in some cases, meaning that when a machine is offered to a dealer either assembled or crated the assembled machine will carry an assembly charge with it and usually a higher freight charge than a crated unit.

Are you sure?

Usually, few know, those knowing depending upon entity type, e.g., sole proprietortship, partnership, corporation, LLC, etc.

Aside from (perhaps, outside) accountants and "bookkeepers," few employees would know definitively.

This is not to mean that management might not tell employees otherwise.

SDT

 

[RickB]

Are you sure?

If I wasn't sure I would not have commented.

 

[SDT]

If I wasn't sure I would not have commented.

Considering five different manufacturers and, no doubt several different dealerships, such is very hard to believe.

That said, I will take your word.

SDT

 

[RickB]

Three dealerships and 25 years. If we hadn't relocated in 2017 it would have been just two dealerships and four manufacturers.

 

[mikester]

That's exactly the issue that I'm investigating.

I know for a fact that I was double charged a few years ago by a non Kubota dealer. Worse, the PDI for which I was double charged was not done.

Legally, such practice is fraud.

SDT

I always quote the all-in price including taxes and delivered to my door. Doesn't matter how the dealerships want to account for things on their end.

 

[SDT]

I always quote the all-in price including taxes and delivered to my door. Doesn't matter how the dealerships want to account for things on their end.

It may well matter if one is being double billed for anything.

SDT

 

[PILOON]

Not familiar with tractor PDI's but have had bad experiences with cars.

One car lost the front left wheel due to bearings never have seen grease! @ about 6000 miles

Another where the differential seized up as it was bone dry! @ about 1 month

Once had rear window explode when I closed the door on a 50 mile old car, that was within the 1st hour of delivery!

My preference is 'off lease, low mileage 2-3 year old' (not short term rental) and so for quite lucky.
Tedious shopping but well worth it.

AKA, let somebody else face ironing out the bugs.
With today's 5 year major warranty trend there is really not much of a gamble.
But then I don't have the need to show off either, I am what I am, (if U don't like what U see, don't look).

 

[buck12]

I always quote the all-in price including taxes and delivered to my door. Doesn't matter how the dealerships want to account for things on their end.

I do the same. I don’t care what fees the dealer puts on what line. I want the price to buy the item.

 

[Milo]

I do the same. I don稚 care what fees the dealer puts on what line. I want the price to buy the item.

"Out the door" price comparison is good for comparison shopping within your State but when comparing prices *on a forum* (which include people from different States) the most useful way to compare price is the money that actually goes to the dealer without tax, because tax goes to the State. Prep, freight, handling, PDI, etc would go to the dealer. The reason for leaving tax out of it is because different States have different tax rates, from 0 to as high as 10% or more. In addition some buyers in a State which collects tax may be tax exempt while others are not. We as individuals know what our State tax rate (if any) is and can add the % ourselves but we usually don't know what other States charge, or if your out the door price was tax exempt. The other variable that should be listed is "discount fee for not financing" of upcharge for "free" financing".