Buying Advice Would you every buy a tractor on a site like amazon.com?

[atsah]

It's all good until you buy something with a major issue, trans is bad etc.. Dealer is the only way the manufacture will take care of warranty work.. HD and all those big box stores sell junk anyway.. A few years ago I would buy a few things at those places and I found I was throwing my money down a rat hole because most of what they sell is Chinese junk..

 

[Tractor Seabee]

Small business local dealer repair shops are already discouraging customers that did not buy from them. Mark up their part prices double what they charge on their sale. put you at the bottom of the time list and keep excusing why they haven't got to yours yet, install parts not needed (ask for the old part, can't find it) fail to get permission for work not on the original order, and plain rude when questioned. One owner told me take or leave it, I have enough service work from my regular buyers and fixing stuff from new to the area, and older models and was very rude about. Not worth fighting over a few hundred dollars. They usually do not run sales either even if factory supported. Put them on the "DO not patronize list" and move on.

Then you have the small independent tractor dealers, low prices, high sales, one man shop, no common parts in stock. To much work to let the mechanic go to factory training and takes months to get even small repairs made including warranty.

Bottom line, the service industry from corporate to small business has changed from service orientation to greed. That drives shopping where the prices are low and trying to get service at the best repair shop.

My dealer of choice loves the outside work in addition to their own sales. Keeps his 6 man tractor shop and 4 man small engine busy, large part inventory of even slow moving items, courteous, timely, helpful to the DIY guys like me, knowing I will bring them the big jobs. Their sales are fair but refuse to meet the low ball one guy shops bargain/volume prices; sale attitude is go buy from the low baller but bring me your service. I have even started buying stuff there so he has figured the right business model.

Ron

 

[TemporaryKubotaOwnerMark]

Says the person who doesn't work on their own stuff.

Some things I do, some things I don't. I have better things to do with my time than to become an expert at all things mechanical. For example, I'll replace a head gasket (just did), but I won't get into a transmission, other than swapping it out. If it takes special tools or expertise, I'll leave it to experts who make less money than I do.

And sometimes, I just don't have time for major downtime. Or the job is just a royal pain and I would rather pay to have it done, like the heater core on my van. Then things go into the shop.

Any mower that Lowes, HD, Walmart,,, or Amazon sells would be considered disposable,,
NO service is needed.

Yeah, pretty much. Not needed and often not even possible.

Isn't Briggs even selling an engine that never needs an oil change?

Yeah, I think I saw one advertised recently. I don't like the idea. It didn't work out well for BMW with their lifetime transmission fluid. If changing oil is too much for you, don't have machines that need oil changes, unless you can afford to pay someone to do all the dirty work for you.

 

[rtimgray]

I like local dealers for many things, but I can't get on board with bashing online merchants and big box stores. Of course there can be problems with anything, but having a local dealer is no guarantee that it will be better resolved than a purchase from an online store or a big box store.

I purchase items both ways, and haven't had a lot of issues either way. I do the vast majority of work on my own equipment, but I echo the comments of those that really don't have a lot of trouble.

I bought a homeowner grade ZTR from Lowes 4 years ago. The only thing I've had to do to it is routine maintenance, blade changes, and replace a bolt where one fell out that was part of the deck linkage. Is it as good as a commercial grade mower (several folks suggested buying a used commercial mower)? I doubt it - but it's good enough for my needs.

Why did I buy from a box store instead of a dealer? Dealers were further away and did not have convenient hours. I would had to have taken a day off of work to go look at one. I went to Lowes one evening after work and got it.

I wouldn't hesitate to buy a mower online if the deal suited me. I've bought several items (power tools like planers and jointers, fireplaces, bulk lots of ductwork, etc) online and had them delivered via truck line. I've yet to have a problem with them.

In the end, the best thing to do is to do whatever you're most comfortable with.

Good luck and take care.

 

[Shaneard]

Some things I do, some things I don't. I have better things to do with my time than to become an expert at all things mechanical. For example, I'll replace a head gasket (just did), but I won't get into a transmission, other than swapping it out. If it takes special tools or expertise, I'll leave it to experts who make less money than I do.

Like posting things on the internet? Hahahahahaha, sorry, couldn't resist that one.

I will work on anything except for automatic transmissions and air conditioners. Anything else I will try and do it myself or get a friend to help. I wouldn't take anything to a dealer no matter what it is, they charge way to much!

 

[Garandman]

The day is coming quickly where independents will be gone..It's been happening for years.I was in business myself for many years.

We just sold out to a company 10X our size. Sure seems that way.

 

[rScotty]

I like to support local business - both large and small. But sometimes it backfires.
Last year I bought a large Generac Generator from the local Home Depot only to find that Home Depot considers that their warranty obligation is only 30 days. After that it is up to the customer to deal with Generac on their own. That would be OK, except that Generac happens to be over 1000 miles away and frankly not very interested in helping with even the simplest things.
Something needs to change but I'm not sure what a solution would even look like. My hope is that whatever solution finally happens, it will be closer to the customer and more helpful to the customer instead of being designed to benefit the manufacturer.
rScotty

 

[Roger66]

Why anyone would buy an Ariens snow thrower from HD, for example, when they can buy it for the same price and often get free delivery from a local dealer is beyond me.

I agree, but the General population does not even know these local dealers exist. They think Lowes, HD, Sears. These are the stores they know. They don't read tractor forums! I just went through this with a co-worker. She was actually surprised when I told her about two local dealers and never even considered there might be something other than Big Boxes! The worst part about this is these are exactly the people who need Service!!! I fix everything myself, I don't need service unless it's a warranty job.

My fear in shopping Big Box, or Mega Box like Amazon is that they would low spec the units and it would not be an apples to apples comparison. There is a lot of talk about this with appliances, I don't know if it's true or just the marketing by the local dealer that his Maytag is better than Big Box Maytag.

 

[Turbys_1700]

Absolutely no...

 

[fried1765]

Absolutely no...

I DISAGREE!
I would buy almost ANYTHING from Amazon!
They back EVERYTHING 100%.
Several years ago I bought a flat screen TV from Amazon. Amazon promptly shipped through some company with "white glove delivery". The TV came from Prescott, Az, and was going to me on Cape Cod, Ma.
The total ship time was 12 days, and the TV sat in Boston for 6 of those days.
I complained to Amazon, but did not ask for any remedy.
Amazon gave me a $75 credit, and sent me an apology.
I did NOT ask for anything!
Am I loyal to Amazon? ABSOLUTELY!

HD and Lowes give me a 10% veterans discount on EVERYTHING!
Am I loyal to HD and Lowes?
You bet I am!

I will say though, that MANY items (same brand) can be purchased from other online sources, or E-Bay for less than Amazon prices. In many cases now, Amazon is also often required to charge sales tax, others do not, if they do not have an in state presence. Shipping is often free from others as well.

 

[Roger66]

I DISAGREE!
I would buy almost ANYTHING from Amazon!
They back EVERYTHING 100%.

Not entirely true, They sell Optima automotive batteries, but you can't return them if they are defective. I think it's the same for anything with fuel in it. There are many Items they do not back.

I do Love Amazon for normal stuff and I use them all of the time. I might consider it if they has some local network to deal with problems.

 

[4570Man]

Not entirely true, They sell Optima automotive batteries, but you can't return them if they are defective. I think it's the same for anything with fuel in it. There are many Items they do not back. I do Love Amazon for normal stuff and I use them all of the time. I might consider it if they has some local network to deal with problems.

They can't return anything with fuel in it. I bought a defective pressure washer from Amazon, and they shipped me another one. I'd call that standing behind it 100 percent. I'm betting they'd send you another battery too.

 

[Turbys_1700]

I buy things from Amazon and E-bay. Lots of stuff local from Craigslist. A major purchase like a tractor. Emphatically no. And like other posters have stated you can't return everything.

 

[94BULLITT]

Why anyone would buy an Ariens snow thrower from HD, for example, when they can buy it for the same price and often get free delivery from a local dealer is beyond me.

Local dealers don't accept a Home Depot credit card.

 

[dickfoster]

Ask yourself if Amazon is going to fix it when it breaks and you have your answer.

 

[candersen10]

Would you buy a premium compact tractor brand (i.e. Deere, Kubota, New Holland, Massey) on Amazon? If so, would you view the brand as a lesser brand in any way for having product on Amazon? What about a lower end brand?

 

[rScotty]

Ask yourself if Amazon is going to fix it when it breaks and you have your answer.

What you say goes for Home Depot as well as Amazon, and probably others too. I bought an expensive generator from Home Depot (Generac brand) last summer. It has had some problems - but I wasn't worried until I found that Home Depot stands behind it for 30 days and then it is up to the unresponsive manufacturer. There is no such thing as a local dealer for service. Once Home Depot bails, they have your money and no obligation. The customer has to deal directlywith the manufacturer - who are a thousand miles away and simply do not care.

No way would I buy a tractor from Amazon/Home Depot/Lowes/Ebay etc... No matter how good the initial price, it doesn't help if you need service. Support your local small dealer and at least there is a chance he will be there for you. I thought that was the case with my local Home Depot, but no.
rScotty

 

[quicksandfarmer]

I think in the next few years we'll see the role of the dealer replaced by three specialized businesses. New sales will be online, either factory direct, through showrooms or through distributors. Repair will be a separate business, and parts will be a third separate business. This is already happening with other industries.

If downtime is important to you, you'll enter into a service agreement with the local repair shop when you buy your machine.

 

[fidowanttobe]

I buy everything I can online. Bought my tractor, sight unseen and assembled it myself. BUT I did my homework first. Would do it again no problem. I've bought cars on EBay and so far have been very pleased. But there too, I called the owner before hand. Parts? Always online unless I need it now. Always cheaper and almost always faster even with shipping! I'm not one to call or drive all over town to find something only to find they will order it too. I can do that in the evening with a refreshment and have the mailman do the driving. I once waited 3 weeks for a light switch from Case/IH. Must've come from Mars.
Is this any different than buying a Cabela's tractor?

 

[Btown]

Cabela's provides service and parts for their tractors. They state they will continue service. But who knows for how long.