Shopping for tractors and prices over the phone

[KNOWITALL]

How would you react to a dealer that would not give you their "best price" out the door unless you visit the dealer in person?

 

[oosik]

I don't really know. I've never shopped for their "best price" out the door. I found the "best dealership" and have stuck with them for 38 years now.

"Best price out the door" does not always equal best dealership when it comes to service.

 

[Ricn]

Phone shopping seldom works, just like vehicles, unless your calling on an advertised sale item. Dealers have a right to profit, you have a right to fairness so shop the dealer, not only his price, meeting somewhere in the middle.

Ricn

 

[YLee Kioti]

Tractors are nothing close to an auto dealer. Margins are not huge.
Even in the winter when I've been to my dealer the phone never stops ringing.
So would not expect a dealer to spend a whole of time trying to make a deal on the phone.
If cheap is of primary importance well one can keep trying. But unlike vehicles, good chemistry between tractor owner and dealer is more important in the long run.
Good luck...

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

They've probably figured out that a very high percentage of their "phone customers" are just wasting their time. Not saying you were, but they probably figure that if you won't even drive to the dealership, then how serious can you really be?

And most of the tractor dealerships that I've visited around here, have such pathetically bad customer service, that you almost think it's a prank, and that Alan Funt is about to come out from a back room and tell you you're on "Candid Camera".

Which is why I went with the dealer and brand that I did. At least here, he was the stand-out exception to everyone else's rule.

 

[K5lwq]

I agree with others. Unless you go, you won't know. What if they gave a low ball price to get you in the door, then marked it up when arrived to purchase. "Oh, you wanted rims and tires? They are $3000 extra."

 

[cjoffutt]

Had a semi local dealer tell me he would not give any pricing via the phone. They didn't even have a website to get approximate pricing from either. Being they were 90+ miles away, they didn't stand a chance of getting my business.

I don't expect to get the best deal via phone on a tractor, car, house; but when I call with an exact model and the three options I wanted, I expect to get a price.

 

[kthompson]

I am in insurance sales and find most over the phone so call buyers are time wasters. They are price shopping only and not buyers. NOW ALL ARE NOT. I do a lot of business with phone callers asking price but also do a good bit of asking questions before I ever will give anything more than a general price. If they are serious have learned they will answer my questions, if not then they are not.

I have bought used excavator that was oh say 400 miles from me and bought sight unseen. Began thinking it was about 125 miles away but location proved incorrect. Have bought a used tractor from 80 miles away sight unseen but from dealer I had done business with before. Funny really bought the first tractor over the phone in locking down price on the phone but that was following my visiting one of their lots.

I have also called a dealership less than 40 miles from me (nearest of their brand) which had bought from before on tractor they had and never got a return call from them. It just varies.

 

[circled]

FWIW, in last week emailed a dealer ad with a couple questions not answered or presented in ad, no reply. Emailed a private (CL) ad about another tractor, within the hour, that evening, received reply. Also re-emailed dealer, no reply. I was just trying to justify if I should drive three hours and check out the machines.

 

[MF RED in MT]

How would you react to a dealer that would not give you their "best price" out the door unless you visit the dealer in person?

This is what I did in 2009, never had a tractor, and no tractor experience:

I emailed about every colored tractor dealership with my desire to purchase a tractor, TLB, specific HP + -, heated hard sided cab, front PTO snowblower with in cab chute controls, etc...

I only asked for their total and itemized price and any of their tractor recommendations.

Out of about 9 or 10 emails that I sent, I only received 3 responses and quotes.

The closest dealerships was 60 miles away and the furthest dealership was about 300 miles away.

I made one trip to the MF dealership that was about 175 miles away to look at the model tractor that I ended up purchasing from him.

I did not purchase or make a down payment at that time, and worked out all of the details and purchase by email, US Mail, and the telephone.

I am very happy with my purchase.

Good luck with your search, KC