Dealer What's up with the Cub Dealers?

[TractorLarry]

I've seen some comments here about others Cub Dealers dropping the line, and I ran across the same issue here in my area when working to bring an 1864 back to life.

All but ONE of the Cub Dealers listed as dealers no longer sell Cub. And the ONE that does is only clearing out left-over parts. They no longer actively participate.

In fact, I am not aware of a Cub dealer within 20 miles of me now.

If it weren't for C&G, the project would have been a lot harder.

Has MTD pissed everyone off somehow?

-Larry

 

[gamble77]

No, what has happened is Cub has decided not be a second or third line for any dealer. If a dealer isn't serious about Cub and promoting their products then Cub doesn't want their bussiness. How many JD dealers do you go into and JD isn't their "main" line? Cub is looking for and expecting the same thing from their dealers.

It is happening in my area too, long established dealers are loosing Cub simply because they don't stock enough and promote the brand. Bottom line is that Cub is in a financial situation now that allows them to not need the dealers that do only $100,000.00 a year with them. In my opinion Cub Cadet and JD are the two leading brands of OPE in the states, that is full line OPE manufacturers...Cub doesn't need bad dealers giving them a bad reputation. And like you said, good dealers are online, we are about to launch cubparts.com which will be a Cub Cadet only parts house, so customers these days have access to good parts and tech. help through the web if they don't have a dealer within 10 or 20 miles from them. Cub is growing, and only their best dealers are going to be allowed to grow with them.

 

[TractorLarry]

Ok, I can understand this, but there's one problem.

There is ZERO Cub visibility in my area now. If this is what has happened then Cub has 'un-dealered' themselves into non-existance.

Parts by web are not a problem. I do somehow think it would be hard to order a 1000 pound plus garden tractor via the web.

Imagine the shipping cost!

And anything I would put this big an investment in I would buy locally for sure, from a full service dealer.

-Larry

No, what has happened is Cub has decided not be a second or third line for any dealer. If a dealer isn't serious about Cub and promoting their products then Cub doesn't want their bussiness. How many JD dealers do you go into and JD isn't their "main" line? Cub is looking for and expecting the same thing from their dealers.

It is happening in my area too, long established dealers are loosing Cub simply because they don't stock enough and promote the brand. Bottom line is that Cub is in a financial situation now that allows them to not need the dealers that do only $100,000.00 a year with them. In my opinion Cub Cadet and JD are the two leading brands of OPE in the states, that is full line OPE manufacturers...Cub doesn't need bad dealers giving them a bad reputation. And like you said, good dealers are online, we are about to launch cubparts.com which will be a Cub Cadet only parts house, so customers these days have access to good parts and tech. help through the web if they don't have a dealer within 10 or 20 miles from them. Cub is growing, and only their best dealers are going to be allowed to grow with them.

 

[gamble77]

So is it better to represented by a lousy dealer or not be represented at all?

 

[TractorLarry]

It depends on if you want to sell any tractors!

Please don't miss my point.

There is NO Cub Cadet presence in my area now.

-Larry

 

[JSharp]

If there are many JD or Simplicity dealers in your area but no Cub dealers then it might be a problem for them. But if all you have within 20 miles are the big box stores with cheap product then it might be a non issue. My guess is Cub is interested in selling to a more upscale market through good dealers that provide good service. Not the Walmarts of the world.

My closest Cub dealer is 17 miles. Next closest is 25 miles. Same as the JD and Simplicity dealers.

 

[TractorLarry]

Most of the stores that dropped (or were dropped) were full dealers, not box stores (HD or Lowes).

The one store Cub Inc still shows as a dealer on their website isn't any longer.

So, if someone around me wants to buy a Garden Tractor, what are they going to end up with?

1. A Craftsman at Sears.
2. A JD at Lowes.

They won't even see a Cub, or even know they exist. They won't see the advertised. They certainly won't bump into one on the floor by accident.

I don't know the answer (and frankly, it's not my job to figure it out ), but sitting where I am, you wouldn't even know Cub Cadett Existed any more.

Me, I'm happy. I have a New 11 year old tractor

-Larry

If there are many JD or Simplicity dealers in your area but no Cub dealers then it might be a problem for them. But if all you have within 20 miles are the big box stores with cheap product then it might be a non issue. My guess is Cub is interested in selling to a more upscale market through good dealers that provide good service. Not the Walmarts of the world.

My closest Cub dealer is 17 miles. Next closest is 25 miles. Same as the JD and Simplicity dealers.

 

[micman32]

That is too bad that Cub is doing this. I really appreciate having a local dealer where I can get parts etc when I have a problem. It is great that we can get the parts online but I really like that if I need a part I can just run and get it and not have to wait a day or two for a part to be shipped.
My dealer is less than 10 miles from my door so losing them would be a major pain. I would hate to think that I may need a major repair and no dealer to take care of the service end.
I can respect that Cub wants to be the main line with their dealers but I can understand why local dealerships need a variety to be in business.

 

[Fordlords]

I read that MTD wants to promote Cub Cadet as their high-end lineup, with exclusive Cub dealerships. They figure that since they have a full line of yard equipment, much of which is best-selling, they can improve service for the high end equipment this way. Perhaps that is true to some respect.

I can however understand things from a small dealer standpoint who wants to sell some other equipment other than Cub. After all not all of these small dealerships had bad service, and gave local customers access for Cub parts and repairs- remember not everyone has a computer or internet, especially in rural areas. And of course dropping the Cub lineup from those small dealers does not hurt MTD one bit, as they are selling their multiple lineups of budget brands sold anywhere and everywhere to get the money coming in from the bottom end.

Even if I put myself in a position where I live where I wanted to be a dealer, I would want some other names in my store such as Stihl chain saws and trimmers, Honda walk behind mowers, etc. The move might be a win for MTD in more populated areas, but in rural areas I just don't see it working, and lets face it most owners with a lot of property requiring bigger tractors and mowers are not in the big cities, but further out.

-Fordlords-

 

[micman32]

Well put Fordlords! The local dealer really has it's place especially in rural ares like mine. Whether it be a small dealer or a large one none of them just sell one brand. They have other offerings as well. That's just good business to have a variety of brands.