To buy local or not to buy local

[sweettractors]

<font color="blue">Now the question is should I buy it out of state for $800 cheaper or at the dealer that I would probably have to get it serviced at? </font>

Does state sales tax become a issue either way?--Ken Sweet



Sweet Farm Equipment LLC *40 good used cultipackers on hand today*

 

[jblack]

Always buy local. Who do you think supports the little league teams, the High School band, the Rotary Club etc. Chances are you know somebody that has received some type of donation from the dealer. If you ever run into any problems with the tractor, you will appreciate a local dealer and the exceptional service!!!!

 

[daTeacha]

I'm new here but not new to compact tractors or forums. I'd like to tell you why I think you should follow the opinions here and buy local.

I bought a Cadet 109 about 30 years at one of our 2 "local" dealers. It was used but in good shape. In the intervening years I have used this old tank for everything from cleaning fence rows to mowing lawn to plowing snow and making trails through the woods.

Last November, after who know how many hours of use the 10 hp Kohler engine froze up. I took it to the closer dealer where I've been buying parts for the thing over the years. They told me I could either get a rebuilt 10 hp or a new 12 hp for $150 more. I went for the new Kohler 12 hp.

The engine was, plainly put, a lemon. Over the next several months it was back to the dealer for a warped head, a new carburetor, and finally, a loose bolt that allowed the driveshaft mounting cup to come loose from the flywheel and the locator pin to fall between the flywheel and the engine proper. At this point, I was out of patience and asked for a replacement engine. The dealer had to work with Kohler, who said to fix it. I contacted Kohler personally by email and phone before they even responded to the dealer. I was pretty much ready to take them to court under the lemon law.

The next day, the dealer called me. They had been talking with Cub Cadet over another matter and mentioned my problems with Kohler in passing. Cub Cadet bought me a new engine! Understand that I bought my tractor used a long time ago from a different dealer. I also have another Cadet I bought used (1250) that I get parts for from them and a Kubota B7100 that they service for me when I need something done that I can't handle. To them I am simply a service customer, not a purchaser of equipment. Still, through their action, I have a properly working engine when the engine manufacturer basically told me to eat it.

I'm looking to upgrade to a larger compact for stability reasons on my hilly property. You can bet I am going to get it from this dealer if at all possible. If I go new, it will definitely be from them.

Add in all the reasons about supporting your local economy, friends and neighbors, and so on, and I'm wondering why you are even considering it for just $800.

 

[AutoUnionTypeC]

If you’re at a point in your life where you regularly hand your neighbors 800 bones simply because they live near you by all means do so with your local dealer. If it's not something you do regularly then I'd go with the better deal.........assuming that shipping doesn't eat up your savings. Farmwithjunk gave good advice, I too would be honest with my dealer and put the cards on the table if he halves the difference again I too would find that acceptable.

 

[Soundguy]

I don't know... 800$ is some money.. but not a whole lot, when compairing local service vs long distance service.

Soundguy7

 

[daTeacha]

Yeah, it's a fair amount of change and the point about using it for a bargaining chip is very well taken. When shopping for a car or truck, my habit is to visit lots all over the place, then come to my local dealer with the best price to see what they can do. I tell the other guys that I am willing to pay the local dealer up to an extra $100 for a vehicle for the convenience/quality of local service. It wouldn't hurt a bit to use the same line of reasoning in this case. Adjust the dollar amount to suit.

 

[Soundguy]

IMHO.. I'd be willing to pay a good dealer way over 100$ whether local or not, in order to get better service..

Soundguy

 

[Jrrcorp]

If the local dealer has a reputation for good service... Buy local by all means. In the long run you'll get the $800.00 back in savings both in time and convenience.

 

[escavader]

I have known people,who bought in newhampshire TO SAVE SALES TAX,ONLY TO GET A BILL FROM THE STATE OF MAINE FOR IT a couple months later.Dont know how they found out,must have been a paper trail somewhere.Hope nothing like that happens down there
ALAN

 

[DavesTractor]

If you break something on your tractor and it is questionable if it is operator error/abuse or something that could possibly be covered under warranty, your local dealer should really go to bat for you. I suspect he'd be less inclined to use up his "brownie points" with the manufacturer if you did not buy from him.

I'm not saying he wouldn't take care of clear cut issues, but I doubt he'd go out on a limb for someone, who by buying long distance has basically said "cost is the ultimate factor, local service and supporting the local community isn't as important".

I used to drive hundreds of miles to save a buck. It was kind of a sport. As I get older, I appreciate quality service and a good rapport with my local suppliers more than a possible small initial savings. In the long run, I think I save more money shopping local. I do think there are exceptions to the rule though, so it pays to shop and to be an educated buyer.

I heard a great saying recently, "you can't compete with a guy going into business or going out of business". Often I am asked to match a price from a guy hundreds or even thousands of miles away. I look at the price and realize that it is at cost, or sometimes even under. Obviously a guy going out of business. I just can't match that.

Also it is your local dealer that supplies a tractor for the local Barrel Race, or that sponsors the baseball team, or that sends it's guys on a Mission's trip, or who buys your son's 4H project at the fair. He is also the guy that calls you for your services when he needs a plumber, electrician, etc.

On the sales tax issue, California law is clear. If you buy out of state from a business, you must report the purchase and pay the tax. It's true that most people don't do this, but that doesn't change the facts.