Buying Advice When is the best time to buy?

kubes14060 · Dec 2, 2016

Hello everyone...new guy here and I've been reading all of the information on this great forum. Looking to buy a new tractor for use in spring of 2017 but wondering when the best time is to buy? Is there one?

I feel like springtime (for me in Western New York is April/May) is when everyone is looking so dealers are not in a need to sell as much since they are so busy? Is this a strange theory? What are your thoughts??

Thanks!!

dickfoster · Dec 2, 2016

kubes14060 said:
Hello everyone...new guy here and I've been reading all of the information on this great forum. Looking to buy a new tractor for use in spring of 2017 but wondering when the best time is to buy? Is there one?

I feel like springtime (for me in Western New York is April/May) is when everyone is looking so dealers are not in a need to sell as much since they are so busy? Is this a strange theory? What are your thoughts??

Thanks!!

I haven't seen seasonal prices so I guess the best time to buy is just before you need it and when you can afford it.

George2615 · Dec 2, 2016

The best time to buy is before you need it. In reality, its best to shop around and get competitive pricing on a model you want with all the same options. I have found you get better prices on implements if you buy them with the tractor.

Some may say spring is the time most dealers are busy selling tractors by discounting last years models they didn't sell.
I bought my current tractor in Feb. 2 years ago. Previous tractor I bought in August 2004. I don't remember what months I bought tractors before then. I've owned 4 tractors in past 35 years. Just bought them when I needed them.

Some may say fall is the time to buy so dealers can get rid of their old stock.

Its a hard call to make. Not sure but I've heard dealers can sell a model built last year as new this year since there are no titles for tractors.

Hopefully one of the dealer members will pop in with the right answer.

I think dealer repair shops are busiest from spring through fall doing service and repair work.

Gary Fowler · Dec 2, 2016

With tractors and implements, I don't think a model year end close out is applicable. Dealers may discount a tractor that has been on their lot for a year due to fading paint, rust etc but I don't think they discount every tractor. They may sell a 2015 as a 2016 also although that may not be scrupulous.
I agree with others, the best time to buy is after you have shopped around for the best price and before you actually need it. Time of year is not that important. Bargaining with the dealers will get you the best price. If you can find an honest person on the internet that will tell you the actual price he paid for a tractor that you are interested in, this will get you the knowledge to deal with the dealer better.

dickfoster · Dec 2, 2016

I forgot to mention which I normally dom be more particular about the dealer you buy from than either the brand or the price. Choose a good dealer who will support you well after the sale otherwise you could end up in a miserable situation and with lots of regrets no matter how great a deal you made buying the machine.

kubes14060 · Dec 2, 2016

dickfoster said:
I forgot to mention which I normally dom be more particular about the dealer you buy from than either the brand or the price. Choose a good dealer who will support you well after the sale otherwise you could end up in a miserable situation and with lots of regrets no matter how great a deal you made buying the machine.

But how do you know about how a dealer reacts to a problem you might have until you have that problem??

dickfoster · Dec 2, 2016

You can generally figure out how good a dealer is before you buy. First of all look around and see if you see a good service area and parts counter and if they are busy. Then judge how helpful and interested they are in selling you what you need and not what they want to sell you. Mine also told me what I DIDN'T need to buy. Then ask things like who delivers, who is responsible for warranty transportation and things like that. When I was shopping some were disinterested and one didn't even get up from behind his desk. Needless to say he didn't sell me anything. The dealer I picked delivered the tractor to my place, 50 miles, for no charge and also did some other little things like filling the tires, welding a chain hook to the bucket etc. as a standard no charge part of all his new machine sells. He also went out of his way to make arrangements for me to test drive a tractor that he didn't have on his lot. So far his support has been excellent and I'm happy that I bought from him. Many will forget you as soon as your tail lights have crossed the curb and you will not be a happy camper when something goes awry.

BlackOps · Dec 2, 2016

from wny and canada so i know the area. i agree with Dick - when you need something and can afford it. i would also add when you find the one you are looking for and at the best place to get it re: good dealer.

bigtiller · Dec 2, 2016

When buying the little stuff most of us here buy, it doesn't matter much what month it is. There is enough to go around, and it may need some trucking to get it to your dealer.

But with the big stuff, if in March you want to buy an R4045 sprayer or in July you want a 690 combine/picker for this years crops, it ain't gonna happen. They can build just so many so they are all bought before they are built.