Was ready to buy

[RobertCoram]

I gave a lot of thought about what I wanted for my place on the Georgia coast and when I walked into a Savannah Kubota dealership I was not shopping, I was ready to buy. I had called in advance and talked the lead sales person. She was not around so I walked down the hall, saw her on the telephone, then went back outside and called on my cellphone. They told me she was with a customer. I was the only customer on the lot and she was not with me, so I left. She did not reply to two voicemails. From another source I bought a small Kubota tractor with belly mower, front-end loader, and bushhog. Bad customer service cost this dealer a good sale.

 

[k0ua]

Thanks for the advice. At this point I can't think of anything heavy I'd want to pick up. Maybe a log or two but may just drag them. Any idea on cost to have the rears filled?

I've got some time to start researching this before delivery.

It depends greatly in what you fill them with. Choices are rim guard methanol RV antifreeze or in warmer climates just water. Some people do still use calcium chloride if you use inner tubes to prevent wheel rot. I still don't care for it. I still recomend Ballast on the 3 pt. Hitch as well. Bales at one the most dangerous things to carry on a loader as they block your vision and people tnnd to raise them to look under them. Remember what I said about low and slow? It is best to just raise them off the ground and drive in reverse . You will need a bale spike of course. If you have need to travel any long distance a rear bale spike is a good idea.

 

[edcorm74]

Walked into the JD looking the buy a 5045D and couldn't get anyone's attention. Not a "Hi how you doing?" or anything. Said fine they must not need my money so headed across the highway to the NH dealer. Same thing there!

Don't these guys work on commissions?

I have had similar treatment by tractor dealers in my area. I live in Athens Tennessee and have a Massey1240 with a 1246 front
end loader. I've had it about 14 years. The dealer I bought it from has gone out of business so when I had trouble with my Joy
Stick leaking hydraulic I took it off the tractor and took it to Dooley tractor in Athens to get it worked on; I have bought two
Ford tractors from them in the past. They sell New Holland and Kuboto now. I went in to the service desk and stood there for
about a half hour and when someone finally came to wait on me, the guy asked me what kind of tractor it was and when I
told him, he said we don't work on Massey Fergusons. When I left I noticed 2 Massey Fergusons on their used lot. Do you think
they will tell a prospective buyer that they won't work on the tractor they buy?
Then I went to Richie Tractor, a John Deere dealer and they said yeah, we'll fix it. About 4 days later they called and my wife went
and picked it up. It cost $413.00 ($300 was labor). I found out a few days later that I could have bought a new one for a little
over half that much. This is two businesses I will never deal with again.

 

[Henniker]

I had a similar experience here in New Hampshire. When I first started researching tractors I went to a large dealer nearby. They as much as told me they wouldn't give me the time of day unless I was waving a wad of ca$h. Needles to say, I haven't been back since.
What's with these guys anyway? They need to go back to "customer service 101".
In this economy, the dealer's margins may be getting tighter, but they need to understand that the homeowner is shelling out THOUSANDS of hard-earned dollars on equipment.

What I DEMAND from a dealer:
1 Honesty
2 Integrity
3 At least a modicum of respect.

The dealers that pay attention to the on-line review sites will find themselves in business long-term. The others will not.

Kubota B2710
Land Pride blade
Wallenstein bx25 chipper

 

[Don87]

Walked into the JD looking the buy a 5045D and couldn't get anyone's attention. Not a "Hi how you doing?" or anything. Said fine they must not need my money so headed across the highway to the NH dealer. Same thing there!

Don't these guys work on commissions?

Dunno if anyone said this or not.................I didn't read the thread, and I ain't goin to.

Most dealerships get 30 to 40 people per day that come in and sit on the machines..........out of those 1 might actually think about purchasing.

When I looked for a tractor................not one salesman came to talk to me..............I had to hunt them down, and that was JD, Cub/Yanmar, Kubota, and Massey.

I eventually ended up with the Massey(apparently), but not because of the dealer............it's because the tractor suited myself and my wife.



And I did ask my dealer why he didn't come outside (after I purchased). His response was twofold..............one was as I posted above...............second was............"I'm not a high pressure seller"......"I let people decide for themselves, because they almost always come back here to buy.

 

[Blitzn]

Sorry about your luck.
Experienced similar lack of interest from the JD and CNH dealerships up this way in Michigan. Had much better luck with Kubota and Massey dealerships. If you're interested in either of those. The Massey dealer sells quite a few and one of the 1635 cabs went to Sault Ontario- and he delivered. I'm sure Belleville is close enough
PM if you want some contact info.

I can live with a dealer who isn't high pressure. However when I walk in and want to talk to someone, it's nice that they express interest in helping you. Even better - when they know you're in the market follow up with a phone call if you leave the information about upcoming new incentives. Mine did. And even arranged to pick up the box graded and deliver it from an adjacent dealership. Talk about service.

 

[bglz42]

I have had only good experiences with my JD dealer. Especially when he figured out that every time I show up I spend money...

 

[arnoldziffel]

I had an interesting experience at a local dealer last spring.

I ordered a tractor. I put down a deposit. The dealer could not get the tractor. The dealer kept a $100 of my deposit to "pay my salesman for writing up the sales order".

 

[farmer2009]

I take that back. I will have some round bales to load so will need to figure out something

When loading hay I just spear a bale on 3 pt hitch and then use loader. Only thing that last bale can get hairy.

 

[Dr_Zinj]

I really prefer the dealers who walk over to you as soon as they see you, welcome you to the dealership, introduce themselves, hand you their card, say they'll be over yonder if you have any questions, and invite you to browse the inventory to your hearts content, then leave you alone.

 

[High Brook Hills]

I'd get the old MF35 if it is in good condition!

As it were, I sent out a reverse auction when I was looking. I provided my minimum requirements, time frame for purchasing, and time frame for receiving quotes and providing feedback.

Some dealers responded quickly with costs at list + (especially NH), some actually had some good deals. I had a wonderful quote from a local JD Dealer but it came in AFTER my deadline. I missed a McCormick but that might not be so bad. I ended up with a CASE IH Farmall and really do love it. They came in WAAAAAYYYY under list on a new unit and were easy to deal with. It was a cash style deal to them and a quick sale.

Call in and set-up an appointment. If they have an appointment to meet with you they are more likely to not be busy and to have someone to help you.

 

[freewookie]

When loading hay I just spear a bale on 3 pt hitch and then use loader. Only thing that last bale can get hairy.

Good idea.

 

[freewookie]

I had an interesting experience at a local dealer last spring. I ordered a tractor. I put down a deposit. The dealer could not get the tractor. The dealer kept a $100 of my deposit to "pay my salesman for writing up the sales order".

I'm in sales and wish I could do that every time I sent out a quote.

 

[k0ua]

I'm in sales and wish I could do that every time I sent out a quote.

Yes that would be good wouldn't it?.. When I was making quotes for telephone systems, we probably quoted 10 for every one that closed.. Not matter how many hours you spent on a quote, you just had to "eat it" if it did not sell.

 

[grsthegreat]

There is NO WAY they can keep 1 cent for not following thru with their side of the bargain. Id jump right down their throats over that.

 

[Creekpaddler]

I buy used tractors, so I don't talk with dealership sales people very often. It's my JD dealer's parts- and service departments that I frequent. When I walk in the door, the sales guys have learned that I'm either headed to parts or to service. The parts people are helpful, but often act like they'd rather be somewhere else. The service manager has been very helpful when I bring problems to him.

 

[arnoldziffel]

There is NO WAY they can keep 1 cent for not following thru with their side of the bargain. Id jump right down their throats over that.

I felt that way but my credit card company, which I used to make the deposit, agreed with the dealer. They denied my protest.

 

[wedge40]

I had an interesting experience at a local dealer last spring.

I ordered a tractor. I put down a deposit. The dealer could not get the tractor. The dealer kept a $100 of my deposit to "pay my salesman for writing up the sales order".

I think you should have got your $100 back since they didn't finish the contract. It would have been different if you changed your mind, but if the dealer cancels then you should get your money back. I know it's only $100, but I'd be talking to a lawyer.

Wedge

 

[farmer2009]

A lawyer would cost more than that. I would drop the dealer and the credit card company. Then take a look at the billboard next to the dealership and add a warning even if only for a week or two. With both company names on it don't put them down but a warning of what they do. I ain't illegal to tell the truth. They may be happy to give it back then.