Why are dealers having record years

[Lebneh]

That is true, you can save money by shopping and playing dealers against each other but do you really trust that dealer that gave you a high ball price claiming it was his best deal then agrees to sell at the price that the other guy gave you. Do you then make the rounds again looking for even lower prices and come back to the guy again to match his competitors price, who gave you a good price to start but you still didnt buy from him preferring to let the weasel dealer have your business.
My preference is to go to the guy who treats me right to start with rather than a used car salesman type, but that is just me. I tell them right up front, give me your lowest price because I am going to so and so dealer next and who ever gives me the best price gets the sale. I wont be coming back. If they dont take me serious, then too bad for them. Maybe it is just the lucky dealer who makes the final sale, but I dont usually disclose the other guys price till after they toss out a number and say that is their lowest go.
If you are going to play that game, may as well start with the furtherest dealer from you getting prices then hit the guy closest with the figures after he give you his deal if it is higher and let him match it or beat it.

I didn't disclose the prices until after I had received quotes from all parties. The lowest bidder established the price point. I offered the work to the dealer nearest to me and he accepted.
I can understand why you don't like this method it is definitely more work. I can also understand wanting to stick to me dealer that you trust and want to establish a relationship with. That being said I don't think those are the smartest methods in shopping for anything of substantial value. Shopping around and encouraging competition is not only what our economy is built on but it is the only way to truly protect yourself as a consumer, IMO.

 

[Johndeere3720]

Very interesting. For me I am buying machinery now (skid steer, lawn tractor, etc.) while I have the ability to save all I have towards my goals. Some day I will have my own piece of land and I will thank myself for already having the machinery to maintain it. :thumbsup:

 

[jonyyuma]

I have a neighbor that does remodeling. He tells me that biz is good, and that folks have told him that they might as well spend some money, it's not making anything sitting in the bank.

This answer fits pretty tight here too...I could not believe the new rate for a Cd at the bank...Talk about burying your money in a fruitjar???Seems like many boomers are getting nervous concerning future investments..

 

[ctlguy]

People have to keep eating... all over the globe - I'd guess.. Ag equipment sales, agricultural commodities, livestock prices -- all very strong -- domestic and export sales!

Land prices reflect the agricultural market strength - high and rising. Even the move to alternative energy production has influenced land prices. Wind farms, solar farms need land.. and they offer a check every month for that space.

And, folk's have undertaken a renewed push to be more self-reliant. Urban gardens, small farms, organic food production. All influence equipment sales.

AKfish

Nail on the head IMO, the ag world has just had too many things go right for them the last few years. While other areas struggled and continue to do so the farmers and ranchers who where prepared for this time and have a knack at what they are doing (assuming good weather patterns, or any other things that can make a operation struggle) are rakeing in the cash.

 

[Verticaltrx]

Nah, you fruitcakes are a small minority. The sky has been falling for a small part of the human population every day since the beginning of recorded history.

I think the retiring boomer cohort accounts for 100x as many sales.

x2, LOL


There is a bit of a back to the land movement which is going on for a variety of reasons, but I don't think economic meltdown is the main one, at least not for most mainstream folk.

Furthermore, as Dave Ramsey says, you basically make your own economy. I started my construction business in 2007 and it has grown every year since. I guess I never got the memo there was a recession. :thumbsup:

 

[newbury]

One and the same for the most part.


If these boomers had more faith in the world they'd be moving to cookie cutter golf neighborhoods and those horrible pre-planned mountain communities where people go to die a slow, painful death......

Nah, I've great faith in the world and want to do what I want to do when I want to do it. Both I and my wife traveled most of the world for the Army for 30 plus years and have "been there done that". Now we just want to settle down to our house and where she was raised.
/edit and several hundred acres of trees
I've got STUFF TO DO that requires tractors.
For the heck of it I just loaded my sawmill with a 12' long 22" DBH oak log. MANUALLY. It's a lot easier moving 1700lbs of oak with a tractor than a Peavey,

A lot of my friends who are retiring are doing similar, and some call me up and ask me about tractors, sawmills, etc.

Besides, never did see the purpose of putting white balls in holes.

 

[300UGUY]

Nah, I've great faith in the world and want to do what I want to do when I want to do it. Both I and my wife traveled most of the world for the Army for 30 plus years and have "been there done that". Now we just want to settle down to our house and where she was raised.
/edit and several hundred acres of trees
I've got STUFF TO DO that requires tractors.
For the heck of it I just loaded my sawmill with a 12' long 22" DBH oak log. MANUALLY. It's a lot easier moving 1700lbs of oak with a tractor than a Peavey,

A lot of my friends who are retiring are doing similar, and some call me up and ask me about tractors, sawmills, etc.

Besides, never did see the purpose of putting white balls in holes.

I tried golf for years. Lessons, expensive clubs, books, tapes, lots of effort. Very little result. Gave my clubs to a guy who is autistic. He LOVES golf. Knows all the top player's stats, will talk about it for hours. It's his obssession. He is way better than me.