The deal is done! New L3130 HST is on the way!

icat · May 11, 2003

Finally pulled the trigger and bought the L3130 HST from Rioux Farm Equipment in El Campo, Texas. I’d like to thank EVERYONE on TBN that offered advise and comments on the purchase. Your insights and experiences were most informative and helped me to make an informed decision. So, on to the details…

 L3130 HST 4WD with Foldable ROPS
R4 Industrial Tires
LA723 Front End Loader
Bush Hog SBX720 Box Blade
Bush Hog SQ600 Rotary Cutter with Slip Clutch
Full Tank of Diesel
Delivered for $19,200

During the process I had bids from 5 dealers and all were very close in price, but all over the state. Each bid in a different fashion and offered different delivery rates or discounts. Some bid each item individually, some with only a package price. Of the five dealers, only one was out right off the bat. I felt they were only interested in selling what they had in stock. Now that’s not normally bad, but the dealer was untruthful about the options that would work on the tractor (you know, the ones he didn’t have in stock). All of the other four dealers stayed in the hunt until the end. In the final analysis one was simply too far for service, one did not want to include delivery (even though they were as close as the dealer who won the bid), and the other two were in a dead heat. In the end it came down to two dealers with similar prices, both of who I felt comfortable with. I guess I could have flipped a coin, but I simply went with the closer of the two.

The “winning” dealer (Rioux Farm Equipment in El Campo) was one of the lower bids and they included delivery (about 75 miles). But most importantly I enjoyed dealing with Donald Mauch, my Rioux sales representative. We exchanged e-mails several times before I actually spoke to him by phone and then we sealed the deal with a visit to the dealership on Saturday morning. Even got him to toss in a Kubota hat and two camo dealer hats – what more could you want!

If you’re looking to buy Kubota in the south central Texas area, I highly recommend Rioux Farm Equipment, 711 E. Jackson, El Campo, TX 77437. You can reach Donald at (979) 543-6901 or online at mauch@riouxinc.com - be sure and tell him Keith sent you.

Delivery is set for a week from Thursday. Until then you'll find me "lurking" online! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

frank_f15 · May 11, 2003

good job: seems like cruel and harsh treatment to make u wait that long. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

icat · May 12, 2003

Frank,
Excited would not adequately describe my feelings at this moment. As I read someone else say, I'm bush hogging in my sleep! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Fortunately - I can't make it out to the property until Memorial weekend anyway. So for now I'll amuse myself by bugging the sales rep with questions!
I've never look so forward to "work" in my life!

Anonymous Poster · May 12, 2003

L3130 HST 4WD with Foldable ROPS
R4 Industrial Tires
LA723 Front End Loader
Bush Hog SBX720 Box Blade
Bush Hog SQ600 Rotary Cutter with Slip Clutch
Full Tank of Diesel
Delivered for $19,200

Is that price before tax? I have a quote on a L3130DT (4x4 shuttle shift), LA513 loader, Woods 5ft Box, delivered for $18,000 out the door.

Anonymous Poster · May 12, 2003

Keith,

Congratulations! I looked at the 3130 again on Saturday and that baby sure is nice! I did my deal on Saturday too. I went with the B7500 from Roach. I went with them ‘cause they are close for parts and service, their price was good, they even came down a little from that price and I liked dealership/people there. Should be delivered tomorrow. Jarrett’s post made me think did you get the sales tax ag/farm exemption since you will be using your tractor on a farm? Out of all the dealers I spoke to Roach is the only one that mentioned this to me.

icat · May 12, 2003

WOW! That's three Kubota's that I know of that sold this weekend! Congrats on yours as well. I seriously considered Roach but in the final analysis I decided to go with the dealer who could deliver without a fee (although they did offer to let me use the trailer for free). Roach has a very nice shop, I'm sure you'll be satisfied. They were the first dealer I got a quote from and they were also the highest, but I never asked them to sharpen the pencil, so I don't know what the "real" price might have been. And yes, I got the ag exemption! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

icat · May 12, 2003

Jarrett,
Might want to ask your dealer to sharpen the pencil a bit. Or give Donald a call at Rioux, I'm sure he'll deliver for a small fee - but it seems to me that you would still save some dough.

I'm not familiar with the Woods Box Blade, but the Bush Hog SBX720 is a 6 foot blade with VERY thick sides. It was a $250 upgrade over the 5' AMI regular duty box blade and weighs in at 550 pounds. I also got a cutter with slip clutch and the heavier loader in my package. The LA723 loader was a $400 upgrade over the LA513 by the way.

As for taxes, the answer is yes and no. In Texas I can claim an Ag Exemption and buy the package without having to pay any tax at all. Which of course is what I did. So, yes the price includes the tax (but there really isn't any tax). There was a $35 heavy equipment charge (I have no idea what that is).

Anonymous Poster · May 12, 2003

Kieth, Congrats on your new tractor, Just got mine and love it. If you dont mind me asking what did the boxcutter and sq600 rotary cutter cost. I got one quote of 700 for sq600. ---Shane

icat · May 12, 2003

Kytractor,
The deal was a package price with everything combined, so I'm not positive on the price of the cutter. Heck, I don't even know exactly what the tractor cost! I ran an Excel spreadsheet and listed everything I wanted and the price (if known) of each item. I then entered the bids as they came in and contacted those who were in the ballpark. As it happens, Rioux Farm Equipment was the only one who gave me a package price (no individual numbers). I know the Box Blade was $550 total because we "upgraded" from the original AMI 5 foot unit and Donald happen to mention the price.

Anonymous Poster · May 13, 2003

( Jarrett,
Might want to ask your dealer to sharpen the pencil a bit. Or give Donald a call at Rioux, I'm sure he'll deliver for a small fee - but it seems to me that you would still save some dough.

I'm not familiar with the Woods Box Blade, but the Bush Hog SBX720 is a 6 foot blade with VERY thick sides. It was a $250 upgrade over the 5' AMI regular duty box blade and weighs in at 550 pounds. I also got a cutter with slip clutch and the heavier loader in my package. The LA723 loader was a $400 upgrade over the LA513 by the way.

As for taxes, the answer is yes and no. In Texas I can claim an Ag Exemption and buy the package without having to pay any tax at all. Which of course is what I did. So, yes the price includes the tax (but there really isn't any tax). There was a $35 heavy equipment charge (I have no idea what that is).

)
Forgot to say congrats on the purchase. Sorry for hijacking your thread.
This is what I was originally quoted:
L3130 GST R4's $13800
LA513 $4000 (which is probably list)
5ft Woods box $550 (probably list again, it's a pretty heavy duty box, a little over 600lbs)
Which comes to $18350+ tax (8.5%) which would be $19909.75. He refigured the price and said $19k even including tax, wash/wax, full tank of fuel, delivered (about 45min away) which works out to be a selling price of $17500. If I wasn't satisfied within 30 days I could return the tractor for a complete refund. I went to another dealer closer to get a quote, and they couldn't even match that price. They said I was getting a good deal at the other place.
I was planning to buy the tractor myself, but now my Dad is in the mix and will be paying for half. He'd rather go with the L3430 with the regular shuttle shift tranny. I called back to get a price on that setup and he said it would be the same price, $19k out the door. My Dad also thinks the loader is a waste of money so upgrading to the LA723 is pretty much out of the question. I told him I'm not even getting a tractor without one.