Buying Advice When is the best time to buy?

[CADplans]

I was shocked when I purchased my last tractor,,, a JD 855.
I offered to pay cash, check or CC,, whichever was the cheapest,,,
The dealer said "No difference in price",, so I put it on the wifes CC,,,, :confused2:
our kids love to use the Frequent Flyer miles we get from the CC.

They have done a LOT of traveling because of our purchases. :thumbsup:

 

[TheMan419]

Timing also depends on what kind of financing you need. You will see different manufacturers offer 0% financing. Of course you also need to ask the cash price. They will often discount the price if you are paying cash when they are running a 0% offer.

Regarding the question of how do you know what kind of service they will offer. Check Yelp and the like.

The dealer I went with did not have the tractor I thought I wanted on his lot. He called another dealer to find if they had one and arranged to have me test drive it. Also discussed with me what my use was going to be and make some specific recommendations if what I needed and did not need.

Also had the experience at other dealers where they would not return calls to give me a price or answer other questions.

I bought a 24 horse tractor. Basically the entry level model. So not a ton of profit for the dealer. However I am the type that will go to the dealer for parts and service because I do not have the know how to do the big stuff myself. I want to protect the investment in the tractor. So there is an income stream for the dealer there.

I will learn to change fluids myself, but I will over pay for them at the dealer to make sure I get the "right" stuff.

 

[JerryK]

If you are getting up in years, the best time to buy is right now so you have the rest of your life[ what's left ] to enjoy it. If you buy one in the winter, you could possibly get the best price if the dealer will deal, but you might be transporting the tractor on salty roads with the result of your shiny new tractor bathed in salt spray. I prefer to buy stuff well before I plan on using it so I can put some hours on it to check it out and modify it to my liking first. Got to pimp your ride....

 

[check]

I don't emphasize the dealer much, as I never see the dealer. And indeed, most of the tractors are so reliable that you almost never need service. And if I did have a problem with one dealer, I would just go to the next one for service. It's not as if you have to go to the dealer every week. I personally have been to the dealer twice in eight years. Once to get a snow blower installed, and once to do the 400 hour service that I didn't feel like doing myself.

On the other hand, some dealers have much better prices than others. (Surprising, but true.)

Good luck, and do keep us posted!

 

[Todd727]

I usually buy towards the end of the year, mostly for tax purposes and dealers want to finish out strong as well as clear the lot for new spring equipment.

 

[BlackOps]

another thought - i recently had to get a new tilleer and garden tractor and looked around in the fall and none were available or they were junk ones or else the models were not what i wanted. many places do not want to order more in Fall or winter it seems like so maybe the real tractor dealers are tthe same.

 

[BlackOps]

also agree with JerryK - i wish i had gotten mine 5-6 years earlier when i wanted one. money wise just tighter then than when i did get one but wow the work i got done and the time saved. it was stunning - got what would have took me maybe 3 months to do by hand i did in a week with the bucket and tractor.

 

[GManBart]

Tractors don't have model years, but dealers want to move stock off their lot at the end of the year for a variety of reasons. Sometimes they're paying interest to the manufacturer, sometimes they're liable for tax if it's on the books with the start of the new year, etc.

In short, if your'e asking the question now, it wouldn't be a bad idea to buy something before the end of the year. Prices won't go down, and sometimes go up after the new year, and you'll have it to use immediately, which is worth something as well.

 

[Bigeclipse]

Around me mid winter and I see some specials but limited stock. Spring I see not as good specials but lots of tractors to choose from

 

[nybirdman]

I don't know if it's still true but my Kubota dealer told me he had to order his whole years inventory in January.