Website quote

[coldstream]

Anyone ever used the Bobcat website feature where you build a machine and send for a quote? I did this a couple of weeks ago and haven't heard a thing back from anyone. I'm still in shopping mode so not in a rush but it would be nice to get a ball park figure back from the dealer which would save me a 90 mile round trip. Yeah I know I could call, etc, etc, but they have the feature on the website so I kinda expect it to result in some communication from them....just wondering others experience.

 

[rus_geek]

I think this feature just generates an email to the local dealer. I know when I submitted a question online, that's where it ended up. My local dealer is an older dealership. This means you can drop a part on the counter and the guy can pull a replacement without looking it up, but it also means that the staff generally doesn't check their email more than a few times a week. I would followup with a call (call a couple dealers within a few hours, too) to see if they received the quote request.

-rus-

 

[rimshot]

The question it boils down to is this. Is the Bobcat dealer as net savvy as you and I are? I know, the feature is there but everybody these days still are not into computers while others have sold lots of parts and tractors over the internet.

I bought my tractor virtually over the web but I used email address that was published on this dealers website as opposed to those build it page. To be honest about it, if the communication breaks down here who's fault is it? It could be the internet or the manufacturer for not passing on the imfo.

rimshot

 

[Aaron_D]

I tried it when i was shopping and like you didn't get a response. Ended up having to call around until I found a dealer that was nice to work with. Not all dealers are created equal. When shopping at times I felt like I couldn't give my money away to some of these dealers. This was for tractors of all color by the way so just keep searching till you find a dealer you like.

 

[coldstream]

Thanks for the replys, your experiences are as I expected.

 

[packrat001]

I had been looking for a compact tractor for about two years when I ran across an ad from BOBCAT last year - with cash rebates plus a free loader! I went to the website (BOBCAT), entered the info for a quote, and got a reply in about two business days.
The dealer was RHINEHART EQUIPMENT in ROME, GA (about 60 miles from me). I called them to confirm they actually HAD the tractors in stock, so I could try one out. They did, so I drove over one morning (after calling another dealer about the same distance from me and checking THEIR pricing). Turns out, the OTHER dealer was about $500 less, so when I went to GA, they matched the price and gave me an additional $100 off.

RHINEHART has proved to be a superior dealership to do business with! They configured a CT230 to my specs, and delivered it to me - free! Followup calls with servicing/operation questions have all been answered completely.

BTW: The BOBCAT CT230 was about $3000 LESS than competing brands (KUBOTA and NEW HOLLAND).

So, there ARE dealers out there that can read and respond to emails - and actually WANT to sell tractors (several other dealers I went to seem to NOT want to actually help you select a tractor, or even SELL you one!). If Rhinehart is close enough to be an option - give them a call or email them (Rhinehart Equipment: Bobcat Boring Machine, Excavator, Forklift, Loader, Tractor, Utility Vehicle, Pump & Attachment Sales in Rome, Georgia). (Todd Sledge was my saleperson - a great guy to do business with.)

 

[Loyal]

Thanks to all , i had an extrey wonderful 18 yrs with rhinehart
but they and i have parted ways i will continue in some aspect
of equipment , if i can be of any help please let me know,,
Todd