Time to find a new Bota Dealer

MMCSKPD · Jan 1, 2005

I have discovered that all I need to do to put my Kubota dealer into a "fit of Rage" is to mention TBN. He goes off about everyone on TBN being and liars and not knowing anything about tractors. He hates the internet. I talked to him about my FEL float detent being broken and that my HST pedal does not return to neutral. Said that he has never heard of the BX23's having these problems. So of course, I mentioned that there seems to be a number of guys with these problems on TBN..... I got more rage about liars and guys not knowing what they are talking about. Seems to me that my dealer is living in the past and is not willing to see the future. Owners/operators are better informed than in the decades past. I really enjoy reading the daily posts. Lots of great information out there. Thanks!

Bob_Skurka · Jan 1, 2005

Kevin, my Kubota dealer doesn't even have email, let alone a website!

Kubota seems to be bent on preventing all sorts of internet activity and it must be streaming down to some of their dealerships. I have nothing but compliments for my dealer, but he is living in the internet stone age. At some point dealers like yours (and mine) will WAKE UP.

Change is inevitable. Standing still in a world of technology is a great way to get past over!

Kubota has a great website, but they seem to think information sharing is taboo. There is discussion on this same topic over in the Kioti forum, they have the same problem, great website, company that cracks down on pricing. New Holland recently really cracked down on their dealers with internet information and pricing too. And the NH website is probably the worst of any site out there in terms of information. Personally I think JD has the best site, with the ability to source parts and even contact participating local dealers through the JD site. I've use the JD site to source repair parts for implements and found it incredible.

boustany · Jan 1, 2005

The Internet is a horrible horrible thing for all kinds of businesses which thrive on their customers having incomplete information.

So, when I've shared my experiences with, say a Ford Winstar and its potentially lethal design defect, or my extreme displeasure with every new Maytag product I bought, that's a lot more negative for Ford or Maytag than they are used to. In the olden days, unless the media picked up a story (oddly enough, the media is funded by advertising and less prone to talk about product problems) a dealer or manufacturer could get away with anything, by advertising his/its merits in the absence of any counter information.

What is good for a consumer is bad for somebody who can exploit the ignorance of the consumer. Of course, not all dealers and manufacturers are in the business of exploiting ignorance. I believe my dealer appreciates the fact that I do my homework, and I suspect that somebody at Kubota notes every issue that comes up at TBN (just as somebody at Deere, and the other manufacturers does).

Of course, somebody once said that 'On the Internet, nobody knows you are a dog' so it provides an equal voice to somebody who's biased, ignorant, or just plain unlucky.

One of the great things about TBN is that I can take a fair bit of confidence in what His Honor 'Super Member' Junkman, or Bird, or any of the other frequent posters has to say, and be a bit more cautious about somebody who post 3 times, has no profile, and is never heard from again.

The Internet is great, your dealer is a dope, and power to the people!

DK35vince · Jan 1, 2005

I quess your dealer is entitled to his opinion, even if he doesn't have a clue what he is talking about.
Personally I believe the knowlege that can be found at this site and the combined knowlege of the members on it is far, far superior and more accurate than your dealer could ever be !!

Merlin1 · Jan 1, 2005

I have to agree with the others on this one. Had it not been for this site I would have been just another ill informed customer, The knowledge and experience shared so generously by members helped me to make informed decisions about equipment choices, implement selection, mower selection and price. Thanks to all the members here from a new owner of a B-7800.
As a further note on this subject, every major purchase we make we research the net. There is a wealth of knowledge on virtually any subject you can imagine. I think what makes car dealers, appliance salesmen and even some tractor dealers queasy is the number of well and I mean really well informed buyers are out there.

art · Jan 1, 2005

What one finds as a problem another finds a gold mine of knowledge! The best time of the day is spent here reading the questions and answers of the owners about the equipment they being sold. The people here help me better deal with the problems you have when they are experienced by my customers. Thanks!

RoyJackson · Jan 1, 2005

In this area, I've found some dealers are not heavily into internet sales. The local Kubota dealer (in York, PA) doesn't have a web site I can find. Both local Deere dealers have a website, but seem to be directed toward local services only. The New Holland dealers (including one who frequents TBN from time to time) seem to be the most aggressive when it comes to internet sales.

I did find my 790 through machinefinder.com, but after the initial contact, it was phone calls and e-mail correspondence.

I do understand the dealer's point of view...that just because we buy a tractor doesn't make us "experts"...but we do relate issues we've had with our tractors.

And, I do understand Kubota's hesitation about internet sales. Their stores are independently owned (with the territory surrounding them). It'd be real easy for a dealer down south to undercut a local (northeast, for example) dealer's price. I'd say it's a reasonable possibility that the dealer in the southeast may pay less for the tractor (dealer's cost) then a dealer in the northeast.

Granted, the internet has changed many businesses...not always for the better, IMHO. But our tractor dealers are a pretty conservative bunch..maybe a bit slow to change their methods.

Larry_T · Jan 1, 2005

I think your right about the dealer The two problems that you mention are not that hard to know that they do not work.you would think that he would be glad you could tell him what may be wrong.

sneaky_pete · Jan 1, 2005

The salesman who sold me my B7400 is a registered poster here on TBN. When I came back to sign the paperwork and buy, he asked me "was that your post I saw, asking about the price". I admitted that it was - TBN thought I was getting a good deal too. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif So here is a case of a dealer that is not afraid to have their deals compared and talked about in a public forum - Zimmerer Kubota in Fort Worth, TX

DmansPadge · Jan 1, 2005

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( The salesman who sold me my B7400 is a registered poster here on TBN. When I came back to sign the paperwork and buy, he asked me "was that your post I saw, asking about the price". I admitted that it was - TBN thought I was getting a good deal too. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif So here is a case of a dealer that is not afraid to have their deals compared and talked about in a public forum - Zimmerer Kubota in Fort Worth, TX)</font>

That is how it should be! You're not tied down to one dealer and anyone has all the right in the world to question the dealer and try to get better prices from other dealers! I have been getting prices on a brushhog and my Kubota dealer wants $70 more than the Case dealer right down the road.... Case dealer here I come! And any dealer than does not want to deal with the internet is in for a rude awakening.... it's the wave of now and the future!