No Time for the Little Guy

[Chilly807]

John's experience reminded me of mine. The toughest part of the buying process was arriving at the final price.

I was determined that they were going to pay me to take the tractor off their hands, and the salesman was doing his best to make sure that didn't happen. Since I got the tractor in the end, we obviously arrived at a compromise we both could live with.

They had to get it shipped in from Quebec, as I recall they had to find one that had been delivered to the dealer before May or April of 2009 when Kubota's price to the dealers had gone up. There were three or four left in Canada at that point, and that was the closest one available. The fact that they were willing to do that instead of just telling me I had to pay the "new" price tells me that they work for their customers. In the end, if I hadn't got the lower price, I probably would have bought anyway, but I appreciated their effort to save me some money and cement the deal.

Once it arrived at the dealer, block heater was installed and rear tires loaded, and got a thorough predelivery cleaning, I got a phone call. I expected to go in and go through the paperwork, then get it delivered a day later. Terry at Nova replied that he would get that done at the time of delivery. It kind of surprised me, but that's the way they do business.

We filled out the last bit of paperwork over a coffee at my dining room table, he unloaded the tractor and went over it with me. I really enjoyed doing business that way, it puts the personal touch back into buying and selling that's missing from so much of life these days.

I may never have to buy another tractor, but if I do I know where I'll be going first and hopefully last the next time around.

Sean

 

[bdeboer]

One thing that should mentioned is that this is harvest time, and the big ag dealers are going to be super busy. I am not trying to defend them, but it wouldn't hurt to call back and remind the salesperson you are waiting on a quote.

I avoid the local green dealer during planting and harvest if it is something that can wait.

 

[soonerd483]

I am in the middle of three of the same dealers locations (JD). Tried the nearest one, horrible service, sales person told me to come back later. (Strike 1) Went to the next one, sales person was nice but took his cig in the tractor and was blowing smoke all over my face. (Strike 2) Finally went to the one further away, first salesman I met I the first trip was nice but didn't take me serious, just rushed me around. My only guess is cause I am younger and looking at 80-100hp tractors. (Strike 2 1/2) Went back a few months later with my parents (with their larger wallets) got a different salesman and he couldn't be nicer.

I actually was going to buy from a different dealer further away, but they would not service that far away from their locations.

Real customer service is pretty much dead, or at least on life support. Just the reality of the day we live. Everything boils down to the bottom dollar as much as they try to make it pretend that it doesn't.

 

[jlsmith]

Real customer service is pretty much dead, or at least on life support. Just the reality of the day we live. Everything boils down to the bottom dollar as much as they try to make it pretend that it doesn't.

I DISAGREE with this statement cuz I put alot into customer service along with several other dealers I know. I try to make each customer feel that they are just as important as the next. I even do free pick up and delivery on all new equipment even tho warranty does not pay for it. I just think and believe its the right thing to do. And i dont care if its a 50cent bolt or a 50k tractor a customer is a customer and im glad they are in my store.

 

[soonerd483]

I would agree that there are exceptions to the rule, thats why I wish I had someone like you local to me. Hopefully I will find them. I just know that I was treated a lot different when I worked close with my uncle. He has a harvest crew with 4 combines and farms about 5000 acres/cattle/etc..... I don't think his feet touched the ground while he was in there.

 

[Chilly807]

Well, it really boils down to the fact that MOST salesmen aren't stupid. They know which side of the bread the butter's on, and they surely know which a** they should kiss.

Some, however, are lazy. The same guys that'll walk past a quarter on the sidewalk and not pick it up. They know they aren't going to make a lot of money selling a "little guy" a tractor. Sometimes they also forget that little guys tend to have big mouths to make up for their "shortcomings". Good service gets talked about, and so does poor service. If the little guy happens to know a lot of people like him, they may take his recommendation (or warning) of a dealer into account when they go shopping.

It kills me to not pick up a penny, and I get ticked when someone tries to give me less change than is owed, because they "haven't got the right change". So, tell me again why that's my fault?? First they get "the look" that says I'm aware of what's happening here.. if that doesn't work then they get the change back. "You might want to re-count that.."

Sean

 

[jlsmith]

I would agree that there are exceptions to the rule, thats why I wish I had someone like you local to me. Hopefully I will find them. I just know that I was treated a lot different when I worked close with my uncle. He has a harvest crew with 4 combines and farms about 5000 acres/cattle/etc..... I don't think his feet touched the ground while he was in there.

Sooner I hope u do fine a great dealer that will show u the respect u deserve. If u ever need anything no matter which brand u have I will be glad to help.

 

[jlsmith]

Well, it really boils down to the fact that MOST salesmen aren't stupid. They know which side of the bread the butter's on, and they surely know which a** they should kiss.

Some, however, are lazy. The same guys that'll walk past a quarter on the sidewalk and not pick it up. They know they aren't going to make a lot of money selling a "little guy" a tractor. Sometimes they also forget that little guys tend to have big mouths to make up for their "shortcomings". Good service gets talked about, and so does poor service. If the little guy happens to know a lot of people like him, they may take his recommendation (or warning) of a dealer into account when they go shopping.

It kills me to not pick up a penny, and I get ticked when someone tries to give me less change than is owed, because they "haven't got the right change". So, tell me again why that's my fault?? First they get "the look" that says I'm aware of what's happening here.. if that doesn't work then they get the change back. "You might want to re-count that.."

Sean

Chilly807 u r right. If I have a customer that I pleased and is happy he will tell 8 friends to come by but if I piss him off he will tell 20 people not to so ALL dealers need to treat their cistomers like they are the main reason they are open to begain with nomatter what they are buying.small companies like mine can't afford to pass up any deal so I will bend over backwards to please a customer so he will come back. I may not kiss his a** but I will give him the respect he deserves cuz he's the one keeping me open.

 

[Chilly807]

I agree with you as well. The a** kissing comment was directed to salesmen who can't be bothered to give the same respect to small buyers like most of us here.
The time may come when a lot of the big guys are gone (heaven forbid), and business depends more on smaller buyers. It's not that way yet, in fact has gone the opposite direction, but more casual users are buying tractors than ever before.

Sean

 

[jlsmith]

I agree with you as well. The a** kissing comment was directed to salesmen who can't be bothered to give the same respect to small buyers like most of us here.
The time may come when a lot of the big guys are gone (heaven forbid), and business depends more on smaller buyers. It's not that way yet, in fact has gone the opposite direction, but more casual users are buying tractors than ever before.

Sean

That is true and I will hate to see that if it happens. I actully have sold more cut and utility tractors this year than the higher hp tractors. A lot of city guys moving to the country with 10 to 20 acers and with that comes the attachments they need as well. Maybe next year well have a better hay crop and we will sell a few more bigger tractors but hey I'm just as glad to sell the smaller ones too.

 

[Chilly807]

I'm actually one of the city guys that moved out. I grew up in the country, then moved to the city for 20 years for work.

New wife has two horses, so we're back in the country again. I didn't realize how much I missed seeing the stars and the quiet.

I don't know how it balances out business wise, but I'd rather have 20 small customers than 2 big ones, at least on the service side of the house. Generally speaking, a broader customer base should be more stable and resistant to economic swings.

Sean

 

[jlsmith]

Yes indeed. Ill take the 20 guys anyday of the week but I'm here for the big guys too lol. I hear ya on the quite and being able to look at the stars. I was in houston for about 8 years and I don't miss anything about it. There is just something about a little town where you get to know everybody.

 

[MBDiagMan]

Yes indeed. Ill take the 20 guys anyday of the week but I'm here for the big guys too lol. I hear ya on the quite and being able to look at the stars. I was in houston for about 8 years and I don't miss anything about it. There is just something about a little town where you get to know everybody.

I understand about Houston, Dallas too for that matter. I lived in Arlington after getting married then moved to Lamar County 24 years ago. I worked out of the house, an office in Dallas and an office in Houston until about 10 years ago. My goal in life is to retire and be the person who has lived in Lamar County the longest without going to Dallas. I've driven hundreds of thousands of miles on DFW freeways and probably half that on Houston freeways. If I were to be forced at gunpoint to go drive in either area 20 years from now it would be way too soon. I wouldn't even want to experience a nightmare dream about living there again.

A smart business man will cater to the market. In your case the market this year is small stuff, maybe that mix changes next year and if so, you're ready for it. I'm envious of your situation. Keep up the good work.

 

[johnrex62]

I agree with you as well. The a** kissing comment was directed to salesmen who can't be bothered to give the same respect to small buyers like most of us here.
The time may come when a lot of the big guys are gone (heaven forbid), and business depends more on smaller buyers. It's not that way yet, in fact has gone the opposite direction, but more casual users are buying tractors than ever before.

Sean

I learned many years ago that every customer has potential regardless of what I think of them. You cannot judge who will be worth the effort and who will not based on their appearance. A small tractor buyer could be a major influencer for a large volume buyer.

I grew up working for my Dad who was a homebuilder. Back in the early 70's housing was flying high. Speculation builders were getting rich. Buyers were being warned that if they like a house, make an offer cause it may be sold next week.

As a result, most salesmen and builders could make a paycheck without much effort and quickly got into bad habits.

One afternoon a young couple drove up and parked their ratty VW bug on the curb and started walking through the new homes being built in a rather exclusive area of town. They were typical "hippy" looking kids in their early 20's, wearing grungy jeans and concert t-shirts, long dirty looking hair and old, worn sandals on their dirty feet. Not your normal upper middle class home buyers. They wandered in and out of the different homes on the street without a single greeting or acknowledgment from any of the builders or salesmen. When they got to my Dad's houses, he gave them his normal "Hi, glad to see you. Look around and if you have any questions, just ask." He then went back to talking to the other workmen hanging out in the garage office of the show home. They asked for a business card on their way out and he gave them one and told them to come back or call him if they had any questions later.

The next day and really nice new Lincoln Towncar pulled up and a cleancut, well dressed young couple got out along with his well dressed mother. Their hair was cut and washed and they were no longer wearing their old jeans and t-shirts or sandals. Mom bought the house for cash.

My Dad learned that day too, that everyone is a potential buyer and he had lucked out being nice to them despite his belief they were just wasting his time.

 

[MBDiagMan]

To me, being nice to that Hippy couple wasn't a matter of selling a house. Being nice to ANYONE is a matter of common decency. If you treat everyone with the same common decency and respect it will reward you in one way or another.

 

[TripleR]

To me, being nice to that Hippy couple wasn't a matter of selling a house. Being nice to ANYONE is a matter of common decency. If you treat everyone with the same common decency and respect it will reward you in one way or another.

The very reason for my choice in a signature line. To me, "doing the right thing" is its own reward.

 

[johnrex62]

To me, being nice to that Hippy couple wasn't a matter of selling a house. Being nice to ANYONE is a matter of common decency. If you treat everyone with the same common decency and respect it will reward you in one way or another.

Quite right, but the FIRST rule of sales is to be nice.

 

[MBDiagMan]

You're right of course, but unfortunately I think there are plenty of sales people who haven't read your list of rules.

 

[jlsmith]

Quite right, but the FIRST rule of sales is to be nice.

Yes and the SECOND is to listen to the customer and find out his needs and use for the tractor or implament and then help him deside which would best suit him or her in some cases. Alot of LADIES here lately have been in the market.:thumbsup:

 

[jlsmith]

I understand about Houston, Dallas too for that matter. I lived in Arlington after getting married then moved to Lamar County 24 years ago. I worked out of the house, an office in Dallas and an office in Houston until about 10 years ago. My goal in life is to retire and be the person who has lived in Lamar County the longest without going to Dallas. I've driven hundreds of thousands of miles on DFW freeways and probably half that on Houston freeways. If I were to be forced at gunpoint to go drive in either area 20 years from now it would be way too soon. I wouldn't even want to experience a nightmare dream about living there again.

A smart business man will cater to the market. In your case the market this year is small stuff, maybe that mix changes next year and if so, you're ready for it. I'm envious of your situation. Keep up the good work.

I wish i could say the same but I HAVE to drive to Dallas and Houston every now and then. I shure enjoy sitting on my porch at night listing to the quite and the the wind in the trees. Im so glad I mad the choice to move here and get away from all the big city lights and get back to my roots. Dont get me wrong theres alot of nice people in the city but it just wasnt for me. Ive traveled for 18 years from town to town doing fiber optics and theres nothing like small town living.