Unresponsive dealers

[DavesTractor]

Most tractor dealers do not reply to emails.

They don't think you are serious unless you go to their store. I'm not saying it is good or bad, it just is what it is. The two dealers I buy from do not answer email. I've spent many thousands with each, I am a repeat customer with both.

Bob, you are right. I have sold many tractors simply because I responded to email quickly and personally. Many customers like email and prefer initial contact that way. I'm glad most other tractor dealers ignore emails .

Of course it can be hard to weed out the guys playing games, but even so, it isn't hard to fire back a quick note acknowledging the email and initiating a dialog. From a dealers perspective, it is generally a waste of time for me to put together a package for a guy 1500 miles away. Instead, I'll make a prompt response suggesting a local dealer and perhaps giving my opinion of the best model for his needs. At least that builds good will.

 

[PineRidge]

I think a great number of folks given the opportunity would really like to conduct business over the Internet. It saves time & money, especially when gasoline is hovering around 3 bucks a gallon.

Unfortunately as you have found out some of the dealers just aren't interested. This thread reminds me of one that I started months ago called Is your dealer connected?

The consensus at that time was that most dealers are still way behind the times when it comes to things like INTERNET BUSINESS in general.

Hey!, call Corriher's and I'll bet they'll return your call, those guys got savvy.

 

[JerryG]

As bad it may sound, it has gotten to easy to e-mail for prices. There are lots of people that when they wonder what something cost, will just shot off an e-mail. That doesn't mean that they are ready to buy. I know that several on TBN like to shop initially by e-mail and there is nothing wrong with it. But from a dealer’s viewpoint, the vast majority of people that e-mail are just price checking with no intention of buying from them. If a person comes to their store, then they can tell a lot of the time if the individual is a tire kicker or a serious customer.

 

[PineRidge]

Jerry my take on that is that folks are curious, so they send an email to ask questions and find out what;s new and improved. If a dealer gives a customer a good reason to buy they just might.

 

[glasslaker]

Bill177, I’m from Albany, NY myself. I’m not sure which dealers you went to but I can give you my experience. I’ve never emailed any dealers but here’s my opinion. The Kubota dealer on rt. 7 seems OK. They weren’t really willing to budge on price. I’m building a house right now and my excavator said he use to purchase all his Kubota equipment from them but now works with a different Kubota dealer for service reasons. I’m not sure which one but I can find out for you.

As far as Deere goes. The one in Clifton Park seems to be willing to budge the most on price but there service leaves a lot to be desired. My father has had a Deere for 15 years. He bought it from the dealer in Clifton Park. However, every time he has worked with them on a service issue he’s amazed they’re in business. He now brings his equipment to the Deere dealer in Pittsfield, Mass. He has been very impressed with there customer service.

I’m in the market for a JD 2320 right now. Clifton park is a couple hundred cheaper but I have to admit the guy I’m dealing with in Pittsfield has put in a lot more effort. Between the salesman and the service reputation I know where I’ll be purchasing from.

I don’t know about the MF dealer. I went to the one on Everett Rd. to check out some equipment when they were closed. This isn’t a knock on MF but none of the equipment seemed to fit me so I scratched them off my list.

 

[roxynoodle]

When a dealer is only open weekdays and no evenings it is hard to shop in person. I only get half an hour lunch break at work and need that to eat and use the restroom. There is no time to make phone calls. I have found email very useful to ask questions, see pictures of the items, etc. I sold a truck over the internet and bought a truck and a car that way. One of my coworkers wanted a Mini Cooper and the nearest dealer was over 100 miles away. If it weren't for the internet I'm not sure he would have bought one. Because so many dealers weren't open on weekends or evenings email was my way to find out what they had. I started my tractor shopping a couple months before Spring break (I'm a teacher) so that if I found what I wanted I could go during my time off to see it and buy it. I wasn't going to take a day off work just to go look at tractors.

 

[cast_and_blast]

I found that the "type" of dealer can have quite a bit to do with it. My local JD dealer is also the "golf/turf industry" suppier in the area. Bottom line - he couldn't care less if he sold me a tractor or not - his main focus was the turf supply. His sales manager and sales person's responsiveness displayed the same attitude (and yes, I did shop in person). Bottom line was that I was easily able to beat their price (by about 8%) on my JD 2305 package from dealers within 15 miles that were falling over themselves to help me. I went to my hometown dealer in person (again) and gave them the last shot at the sale (all they had to do was meet the price - and it wasn't even a rock-bottom price) and they never even called back. That told me all I needed to know.

Good luck - call around.

Scott

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Most tractor dealers do not reply to emails.

They don't think you are serious unless you go to their store. I'm not saying it is good or bad, it just is what it is. The two dealers I buy from do not answer email. I've spent many thousands with each, I am a repeat customer with both.

And I don't understand this...

I've sent numerous emails to a particular salesman at a New Holland/John Deere dealer where I've bought several implements, a lawn tractor, and handled the deal when we bought 3 back hoes and a skid steer my employer. He should understand I'm a serious buyer when I ask for his help. Yet he never returns emails. When I asked about them, he always says he got them, just didn't know I expected a reply. Hmmm. I specifically asked about price and availability of a specific item. What would indicate I DIDN'T expect a reply?

As it has been mentioned, if they aren't going to respond, take the email addy off their website/business cards/yellow pages/stickers they plaster all over everything they sell.

In the last instance, I tried to get info on a Bush Hog finish mower. John didn't respond. I took my money elsewhere.Maybe I should email him THAT fact.

 

[hvac1]

I had the same problem when I was looking to buy. The saleman would walk out of the store past me and never acknowledge me. It happened at more than one place. I finally found one that wanted my business and bought from them.

 

[Turbys_1700]

Dealers are either connected or not...Those that are connected either agressively pursue sales either local or out of state at the lowest possible profit margin...Those tend to reply to sales quotes...

Those that don't respond don't take seriously the power of on-line-sales and are just playing lip service to it...

Of the 5 dealers located within 30 minutes of my house only 1 is conencted and they are very agressive in internet sales...The other 4 are still "old school"...Want to meet face to face and dicker over price...

A lot of these dealers are older and won't change...I expect that over time more and more dealers will be owned and operated by younger and more agressive ownerships...More computer savy...And will see the power of the internet...Thus...internet sales will only continue to grow...

Change is a constant...