Went to purchase my L3400 (not fun)

[Tremel]

I had a not-so-fun day at the local dealership yesterday. After a month of researching and calling about 10 other dealers in a 100 mile radious, I recieved prices on an L3400 with ag tires and folding ROPs from 11500 ~ 12300. The local dealer that I liked the most originally gave me a price of 12100.

Yesterday, I decided to go and get the ball rolling and that I made up my mind that if the local dealer can sell me the tractor for just under 12000, I would make the purchase today.

When I showed up, I handed him all the paperwork for the financing, as well as some numbers. The Salesman snapped back at me an told me that those prices are not for a 3400, but a 2800. I told him that he quoted me both the 2800 and the 3400 (11,100 and 12,100 repectfully) and I was holding him to these quotes.

He refused to budge off of his new quote of $13,300 not to mention the LandPride 72" mower that he originally quoted me at $1700 also jumped to $2400.

I was not looking at spending much more than $13600 for the entire package and now he is at $15,700.

I told him that he was way out of line and that I would gladly take my business down the street. His response was (bring me price quotes on letter-head and I'll gladly match them).

When I got home, I called two other dealers to make sure that I wasn't wrong on my pricing and sure enough, these dealers would put a nice mower/tractor package together for me at $13500. The other dealers had the better woods mower as well. Both had no problem faxing me a quote.

So, today, I'm going to play some games with the jerky salesguy and then take my business elsewhere.

What is sad is that my father (who is a hard core Massey guy) is also going to purchase a new tractor to replace his old MF1010 and he too is sold on the Kubotas. He said that he'll purchase his tractor from whomever I get mine from. I also have a co-worker that will also follow suite. So the way I see it, some lucky dealer is going to make out with three deals.

Bottom line, I don't like most salesman. Several of the salesman that I delt with didn't even know the products. One Kubota dealer (who owns three Bota stores here in Pittsburgh) told me that the L3400 was an old model that they didn't make anymore and was trying to sell me something that I didn't even want.

I hate to leave town (or the state at that matter) to do business, but that's how it is going to have to be. I think I'm writting to Kubota and If this game continues, I'm buying a Farmtrac!!!

 

[Bob_Skurka]

It really is a shame when you try to do business with a local dealer and they chase you away! You didn't demand the lowest price, you simply asked for something competitive, but you got a bait and switch and you got a bad experience.

There is another thread that was started yesterday about a "dealer that needs a good bashing" regarding a guy who got thrown off a NH lot.

I've have bad experiences with the local JD store.

It is pretty obvious that all the tractors will do the job, it is not the manufacturer, but the attitude of the individual dealer than often sways us from one tractor to the next and from one brand to another.

 

[hillslider]

You are buying a farmtrac....... Sorry to here that. Kubota sure makes a great product. I looked at the farmtracs and quickly moved on.

As for the dealer...... I know what you mean. I have had similar dealings. Hate the games. If the dealer was ready to match he was able to sell it at the stated price.

 

[Jim_Becker]

Don't even bother to return to the dealer who backed off his quotes...just buy the machine from one of the dealers who gave you an honest, written quote and move on. My policy is that I buy from the firm that gives the best price up-front and sticks to it. You shouldn't have to do the "price match" dance...

That's what I did with my current tractor. My "new" dealer is great (didn't know about them when I made my previous tractor purchase) and they saved me two grand without begging.

 

[ByronBob]

Wow. I can't believe the way this played out for you. I would advise like some of the others mentioned and just go where your business is appreciated. Forget that dealer and move on to better things. All my dealings with my dealer were via e-mail. When I went to the store it was a done deal. Price and paperwork were all established prior to me setting foot in his store. I figure he made the effort to work with me all along then he was the right choice.
When I had a float problem with mine my dealer he was honest and said he was short handed and he'd get with me ASAP. It wasn't the best answer but an honest one. He had it picked up the next week and back to me in 2 days. These are the types of things to think of and it sounds like maybe one of your other options is the best way to go.

 

[Inspector507]

I would show him the quotes on letterhead and see if he price matches. Then, when he's done writing up the papers, walk out after telling him, he just lost 3 sales. But, be prepared to also go out of state for your service too. That dealer would make sure your unit sat on his lot for days or weeks before he touched it.
I didn't even contact another dealer about mine. I had received enough info here that when I got my quote, I signed. I had priced other "colors" as well. But mine fit me best for what I wanted to do. And I'm happy and I think they are too /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif.

 

[JerryG]

Speak to the owner. Chances are he doesn't know what is going on and will take care of you and the salesman /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif.

 

[brinet]

I think it is a Kubota policy that their dealers act like jerks. Before I get up on my soap box, I'll just say that in the past week, I have been lied to by all the local dealerships and Kubota.

In my particular area, if you walk into a dealership and ask for part A or B for machine C, the first question asked is "Did you buy machine C from us?. If the answer is NO, then you need to go elsewhere for your parts!" After asking for an explanation, I have been told that you can only be serviced from your purchasing Kubota dealer.... KUBOTA POLICY....

So, I called Kubota in Atlanta. (anyone know how HARD IT IS to find a number for the Atlanta office? Guess they don't want to hear from the customer.) Response is "OH NO, that is a dealer policy.... blah blah blah.... please understand that we have nothing to do with this. But before the end of the one hour conversation, I quickly realized that something was amiss.....

I'll step off my soapbox for now.

Bottom line, make sure that WHEN you have to return the tractor to the dealer, you don't have to pack an overnight bag! Because in my area, the dealers aren't hungry, and will not work on your tractor for ANY price unless you buy it from them. KUBOTA POLICY.... blah blah blah blah.....

I say WHEN, because I have had the following issues with my 2000 Kubota BX2200:
<ul type="square">
[*]1. steering loss due to defective, rusty hydraulic cylinder (repaired by purchasing dealer)
[*]2. returned to dealer for steering leak (because of repair), but didn't leak enough to warrant further action
[*]3. fuel tank bladder recall. Made appointment with local dealer (2 blocks away). Delivered tractor, waited several days with no call back. Called local dealer to check on status. Was told to come pick the tractor up! They would NOT service it. According to their records, I did not purchase tractor from them!
[*]4. fuel tank bladder recall (repaired by purchasing dealer)
[*]5. fuel tank leak, fuel gauge inaccurate, poor design in fuel sender. (repaired and paid for by me after BEGGING remote dealer for newly designed replacement part)
[*]6. While replacing fuel sender, found a GRADE 8 CARRIAGE BOLT lodged between the fuel tank and lift rod. I was wondering why the lift lever was so hard to move! Now I have a nice CUT in the bottom of the fuel tank where the carriage bolt was rotating as I moved the lift lever!!! Not leaking yet, but I'm sure it won't be long. Guess it was left there during assembly.
[*]7. When removing ROPS for repair, noticed electrical wire SQUISHED FLAT between ROPS mount and frame. Yet to find what this wire went to... assuming/hoping that it was a ground for something
[*]8. MAJOR steering cylinder leak. (repaired by me, w/Kubota warranted parts)
[*]9. lift problem (yet to be resolved)
[*]10. Do you KNOW how much trouble I went thru to get Kubota SUPER UDT Fluid???? I traveled 2 STATES to dealers that insisted that they had it, but when I arrived, found that they really had PREMIUM UDT. Is it different??? YOU BET! It was worth the trip!
[/list]

MAKE SURE YOU READ THIS LIST TWICE! You WILL be back at the dealer with problems. Make sure that A) you are prepared to return to the dealer of purchase for repairs. B) you really WANT a Kubota.

With all that said, I would be less than honest if i didn't say I loved my Kuybota! The thing I absolutely despise is the dealer network and the LIES!

BTW, I have found that tractorsmart.com has all the parts I need SHIPPED to my door WITHOUTH having to inconvenience my local dealers!

 

[brinet]

Sorry guys,

Guess I did get on my soap box after all....

I'm thru venting for now!

 

[familyman]

I went through a similar experience with 1 Kubota and 2 JD dealers. I originally was shopping for a JD 790. Great machine. The first dealer, @ 1/2 mile from my house, looked at me like I kissed his wife when I walked into his dealership after hours (he left the door open!). After 1 minute of his impatience, I walked out, determined to go to the JD dealer 45 mins. away. That guy got my credit approved, wrote up the machine and told me he'd check the dealer network for availability. After a week with no phone call from him, a friend told me to look at Kubota and on the web I found the L series, very similar to the 790. The first dealer told me that Kubota "doesn't make those anymore, nobody wants a stick machine". I now own an L2800 with an FEL and a BH and I think it's a great machine, too. I don't know but I think I may have been happier with a Kubota BH -- the dealer sold me a BushHog brand that he said was good, cheaper, and he had one in stock. I think he made more money on it, didn't actually have it in stock, I'm still waiting for the subframe (it's 3-pt mounted right now) and I'm not thrilled with its power or smoothness (I'm new too BH work so I may be wrong about its abilities). Yeah, they all play games and we all have to play right back to stay on even footing. I truly believe, having tried out NH, JD and Kubota that Kubota makes a machine that's as good as or better than the other offerings out there, and the L2800/3400 machines are a great deal for the money. Good luck.

Charley