Support your local dealer!

[Indydirtfarmer]

They have to answer all of our goofy questions.... /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

How many THOUSANDS of items do you recon they price out, knowing MOST will never be bought? /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

How often do you suppose they get customers who want everything EXCEPT what they have in stock? /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

I understand that dealers are in business to provide us with what we want/need, but when you're dealing with someone's hobby and/or passion, like most of us are with our "toys", you get to be the tour-guide in a toy store sometimes. Dealers don't always make the HUGE sums of money that most people think. It's a very competitive world nowdays. With the internet (sales), and easy shipping from all over the world, the local farm equipment dealers are having to re-invent their "market". They have to bend over backwards to a client that doesn't always know what they want or need. Then, they might spend hours walking someone through the selection process, just to have that person go elsewhere with their business. (Not THAT MUCH different than any other sales job, I guess)

Bottom line.... They're there when you need 'em. So make sure you support them when you can. If you have a "favorite", send 'em what business you can. All things being equal, send your business there, instead of a "department store" type vendor. (If you know what I mean)

This post is my way of saying thanks to one dealer that frequently post's on here. KEN SWEET... I'm in the market for a seeder. I'll (in all likelyhood) be building my own. He sells them. He also sells "componants" for them. Ken has answered about a dozen emails, made that many more searching for answers to my questions, and in general, been a HUGE help, and most likely will only make a few bucks for all his troubles. THAT is the sort of help you can rely on from a GOOD dealer. We need them just as much as they need us.

TAKE YOUR BUSINESS TO THOSE WHO TAKE CARE OF US!!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Ditto.

In fact think a bit more about what Indydirtfarmer wrote and apply it to routine maintenence items. I put Kubota oil in my Kubota and NH oil in my NH instead of hitting the NAPA store for oil that I'm sure I could get for 50-cents a quart less. Why? A couple reasons, 1st, by using their product they can't blame anyone else; 2nd, by using their product they make a little bit of money from me; 3rd, by using their product they see me more than 1 time and it helps build a relationship that can help me in the future.

I recently had a mechanic from my local NH dealership come up to me at a church function to talk to me. He didn't know me, I didn't know him. But he had seen my name on something at the dealership and so he came up to me at the church hall and introduced himself. Now I have a friend at in the shop. I may see him once or twice a month at church, but I now know I have someone who I can talk to and who will take care of me. I've already built relationships with people in sales but I'm not buying anything now. A guy in the shop is a good friend to have.

Local relationships are very important. I love internet shopping, but I think a good strong dealer is a very comforting thing to have if your tractor is stuck in the mud with a broken whatever and you need to get a project done. I can count on my dealers to help, they have in the past and they get my support.

 

[JDFANATIC]

I don't know how many of you guy's are golfers, but when you join a private club, part of the etiquette is that you support the pro shop. Some guy's will go to the discount houses and buy stuff, but most of the time it is the previous year's models, close out's etc, but even if it's not, those guy's are missing out on the support a pro offers (and trust me he knows). Discounts on lessons, help getting tee times at other clubs, favors with guests, and the list goes on. Now I know we're talking tractor's here, but I think the same principals apply. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Indydirtfarmer]

My "day job" is as maint. supt. at a large country club. I know all about buying at the Pro Shop! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif I buy hats for all my crew there, so they look presentable.. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif That sets me back a few peso's, but the members compliment me on how nice the crew looks. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif I look at it this way. It's better for my job/income in the long run when the people that write my paycheck are pleased with the way I run the show.

AND... The Golf Pro can afford HIS new 4320 Deere /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[AndyMA]

I have to agree whole heartly with what has been said above by all the posters. I think there's nothing like local dealer support. Relationships are where it's at. Sometimes when I read posts here with people having all sorts of problems with their tractors and dealers, I wonder, how many of these proplems are self inflected. As I have heard many times, God put erasors on a pencil for a reason...we all make mistakes and need a way to corect them. In this day when instant gratification is the norm for many, I think we may have lost some of the true meaning of support. Treat your dealer nicely and it will usually be returned. Don't be "Penny Wise but Pound Foolish". I wouldn't buy a tractor that I actualled needed from a dealer 1000 miles away even to save a couple of thousand bucks. Thanks for letting me rant... /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

Andy

 

[LarryRB]

This subject seams to come up at least twice a month and in different lead titles. Never the less, it is a common thread here.. I guess I'm the odd ball. I do not agree with AndyMA at all. I've been with Andy on several occassions to his dealer.. I have to say, what I saw as far as repair bay work,, they were busy. I truly believe they have outstanding service.,. That said, I made the statement with Andy and his dealer, a thousand higher than all the other bids I had, would have been worth it.. Two thousand, I most likely wouldn't go for it. The bid there, and the actual cost delivered to me from 600 miles away, was way more than the two thousand he is willing to go over.. There comes a time in my mind, that ridiculous is just that, and I'll go 2000 miles before paying what is asked here. Now. I also want to state, I feel this way with any of the big three, orange, blue and green, and I made up my mind over two years ago, to never buy from these local dealers.. Their supposed warranty and close proximity efficiency for repairs I can never justify with the cost they ask at a sale,,, Go ahead fire away, I'm not changing my mind..

 

[jfdlaw]

We're going to sound like we're all working off the same script, but I couldn't agree with you more.

I spent a lot of time searching the internet before I bought. I received quotes from a bunch of out of state dealers (some of which pumped the "no sales tax" half truth/deception).

I ended up buying locally because I liked the dealer. He took the time to listen to what I wanted to do. He commented on what would work and what would not. He suggested alternatives. He knew the area where I lived and could make recomendations knowing my conditions. And he let me try everything. I took so much of his time I thought I owed him the sale.

The real value became appearant after the sale. His service has been outstanding. Any time I have a question he or one of his mechanics is happy to help. He's picked up and delivered the tractor twice with no charge. The biggest thing he did was swap out the snowblower I bought for the next larger size. At the time of my purchase I ordered the standard 50" unit. After taking delivery of my tractor I realised the 63" unit would be better for my driveway. He sent the 50" back, got me a 63" (which isn't in the parts book for a B2410, so he had to spend time talking to the district rep figuring out what parts to use) assembled the components to make it work, worked with Kubota Financial to release the lien on the 50" blower and switch it to the 63" blower and all he charged me was the original price difference between the 50" and 63" blowers (about $200). I sent him a case of Omaha Steaks.

In my mind a good dealer is much more important that the color of the tractor. Especially if you are new to tractors like I am. All of the major companies make good units. I looked Kubota, NH, Case, Deere and MF. I chose Kubota in large part because of the dealer and I'm glad I did.

Sorry to rant.

John

 

[tomnky]

I'll throw My two cents worth in :

The Dealers also need to take care of their customers especially repeat customers.

If they are willing to do that then I am willing to patronize their place of business, but When I know that they have not represented me then I have no further need to do business with them.

I along with Larry refuse to pay outrageous prices for equipment whether it be close or far away.

I have even had greedy ( yes i said greedy) Dealerships tell me there was no way they could sell a unit for a certain price even though three or four other dealerships within fifty miles could.

Bottom Line is They Scratch My Back and I will reciprocate the gesture.

 

[DavesTractor]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I spent a lot of time searching the internet before I bought. I received quotes from a bunch of out of state dealers (some of which pumped the "no sales tax" half truth/deception). )</font>

Yes, the "no sales tax gimmick" is generally a deception, depending on the state. I lose a few sales to Oregon dealers who promote that half truth. It is true that they do not owe any Oregon sales tax, as Oregon does not have sales tax. But what they are not told is that the customer clearly owes California "use tax" as soon as the tractor shows up at his place. There are a few exceptions, like items bought for resale, but 98% of these are taxable.

California BOE"Purchases from Out-of-State Vendors"

I guess it isn't up to the Oregon Dealers to educate California buyers, but it is proper that they don't deceive them.

I am a dealer, so this is a self-serving, /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gifbut I agree with buying local in most instances. But the dealer still needs to be more than just local. He needs to be reasonably priced, offer good service and good support. He need not be the absolute cheapest, but he must offer a good value.

 

[JDFANATIC]

Personally, my golf anecdote was more than an anecdote. It was also my experience with a touchy tractor issue that wasn't clear whose responsibility it was -- waaaay out of warranty. Again sticking to the golf analogy, the dealer more than came through, enough so, that I would be hard pressed to look elsewhere. What exactly does that mean? Would I pay 10% more for service -- probably. 20% -- maybe. 25% -- ? I do know this dealer has been more than competitive on the upfront pricing, so in the back of my mind, some measure that keeps a quality service depart going is well worth it...
/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif