Why is it so hard to buy a tractor?

[jenkinsph]

rScotty, old fashioned values but not uncommon...
All harkens back to what were taught early on, do not judge a book by its cover.
We forget at times.


been very lucky having two excellent family owned Kubota dealers, one to buy the tractor in PA and another to service it here in NC.
I always have felt both dealerships had my back, which is good feeling with such expensive equipment. I originally went to buy a JD 4720; was so turned off and ignored by not so local JD dealer I gave up on JD. They never earned my business and I sure wanted to do business with someone who appreciated that business. Before retiring owned several Main Street businesses in a small town. Service and trust is everything.

My understanding is that generally there is a 30% margin on tractors and implements, so a good starting point would be 15% off. That leaves 9 grand gross profit on a 60K package, say net half of the 9k to the dealer after paying expenses. That ought to be enough...

btw my Massey was a trade on a new cab Kubota. Sitting right in front of the door to the Kubota dealer. They gave the guy ten grand on a trade and sold it to me for 11; they wanted it gone. A good deal for me. They know if they keep me happy I will come back.

Good post ^^^ and pretty much the way I see things too. Only difference is in my local the Deere dealer is on top being responsive and well run business.

 

[TheMan419]

It is amazing how you get treated differently based on how you dress. In my "Day job" I am a suit and tie professional. On weekends I am likely in jeans and a t-shirt or hoodie. I get treated very differently by sales people depending on which outfit I am wearing. Sad really.

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

I too have been having a great deal of trouble shopping for a compact tractor. Looking at 30-ish hp models, want a cab, a mid pto, FEL, front snow blower, box blade, and possibly a 3 pt tiller and mower. Either they don't even acknowledge me when I walk in the place, or they don't have a model in stock like I'm looking for. About the closest I've gotten has been the Deere dealer in town, who acknowledged me right away, seemed willing to talk to me like I was a customer that mattered, and at least looked up some prices and searched their inventory and found one in Aberdeen, SD, 200 miles away. Great. But he doesn't have one here that I can check out, climb over, get in, maybe drive around a bit, to decide if I want it or not. So I'm supposed to buy this thing sight unseen, and drop $50-55K from just looking at the brochure?

Finally caught the Branson guy with his business actually open, but the only model with a mid pto is the smallest, 24 hp? Didn't know that. Heck, that thing's not much bigger than my riding mower. New Holland guy was clearly waayyy too busy to wait on me, but took my number "and I'll call you back". That was Monday. Haven't heard from him. Bobcat/Kioti dealer doesn't even acknowledge that you walk in the doors. And I've been there 3 different times this week, same thing.

Part of this is my fault, I'm sure. I work long hours, and it's hard for me to get time off to go tractor shopping, but most of these guys seem to close Saturday at noon? Wth? Was hoping to buy one today or tomorrow and have it delivered tomorrow (my trailer is parked behind my garage, and it's about an 80' long, 4' high snow drift to get through to dig it out-which is part of reason I want the tractor-lol).

 

[Musdalen]

Poke,
Perhaps this is just the difference in dealers, but I spent a couple hours in a local JD dealer and he offered to have whatever model I wanted shipped to MY property to try out. Even though not on his lot, he said he could and would make it happen. I'm not quite at the stage where I'm ready to write a check but I'm close and when I'm ready, I'll take him up on that . Probably a lot of dealer-to-dealer variation but both Kubota and JD get a thumbs up from me in the middle of Iowa.

 

[rdbigfarmboy]

Tractor shopping has never been like car shopping. Traditionally you buy on trade when yours is too far gone. If its a first time you usually are trying to buy used from a local farmer actual user. But those days are gone. Tractors are now considered investments and are often paid for by moneys from other than farm product sales. Many dealers and sales people are caught between the two mindsets.
Today I like the on line build your tractor pick your options and the brand website calculates the price as you go method.
My last new tractor was in 93, I have bought used from dealers that patch up popular models since then.

 

[Farmer495]

A good dealer and them knowing you=

Deal made on new tractor, agreed upon stuff added, tractor delivered on word alone. No money changed hands until after the tractor was here a week and a half.

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

I'm jealous of you guys and your dealers. The local Kubota dealer isn't open on Saturdays at all, and closes during the week at 530pm. With my schedule, it could be another month before I can get in there (Working out of town all week next week in Fargo... Hmmm... maybe I can make time to visit a few dealers there).

 

[Bud Soda]

Had a great tractor buying experience with Cabela's. To bad they are getting out of the tractor business. Was my forth new tractor buy. Probably the best. They are open on Saturday and Sunday also.

 

[Creamer]

I'm jealous of you guys and your dealers. The local Kubota dealer isn't open on Saturdays at all, and closes during the week at 530pm. With my schedule, it could be another month before I can get in there (Working out of town all week next week in Fargo... Hmmm... maybe I can make time to visit a few dealers there).

Drive down to Mobridge - they have a very good Kubota dealer there.

 

[Streetcar]

Back in the 80s Me and my Wife went to Bob Evans for breakfast in Cincinnati..My wife is in a wheelchair I was getting her out of the car, have to carry her out of the seat..I saw Sam Walton watching us in his car I told my wife he was watching, anyway we start walking towards the door he yells hey let me get that door for you and he opened both doors..I was a smoker in those days and went to the right he went to the left and I thought why didn't I say hi I just thanked him..At that time he had cancer and it was well known..He walked past us after eating and going to the bathroom..When he came out he said see you, now take care of her, I said you are Sam Walton aren't you, We talked for some time He was as nice as could be He was looking at a spot to build a new WM....Another quick story on Sam in the 70s Meijor stores were in the state of MI. only. old man Meijor called Sam and said he wanted to make a deal with him they met and Meijor said that he would stay in Mi.and not go to any other state if Sam would stay out of that state...But if he said no he would open a store as close as he could to every Walmart..Sam said no..If Sam was still alive I believe He would have made a different decision.

Back in the eighties Meijer was in Ohio, before Walmart was here