My tractor buying experience

[lablovers]

I am not one for push salespeople either (notice in CA we are always politically correct, agh). But, I expect to be acknowledged. When I was at the World Ag Expo recently, I was amazed how many salespeople ignored me. That includes JD and MF was the worst. There were at least six guys drinking beer in a group and I am climbing all over one of their tractors near them and I could probably have driven it away without them noticing. The imports and NH were the only ones to help at all. I even dressed in flannels and jeans, showered before the end of the month, new deodorant and everything.

I am in sales and now the difference between a pest and being helpful. If I owned some of these dealerships, I would do my best Donald Trump impersonation, "you're fired". /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[lablovers]

Sorry, I got so wrapped up in my tirade that I forgot to say congratulation for taking the plunge. Enjoy the new tractor.

 

[755inNY]

trkbldr,

Congratulations. I know where you are coming from as I too was much concerned about spending what seemed like an enormous amount of money on a new tractor. I can tell you from experience it has to be the best thing I ever purchased. I have never regretted it in the last 16 years of ownership. In fact, I don't know how I would have gotten along without it. I am ready to trade this one in for a new, larger one. The prices still scare me but the trade-in value on my current tractor is within $3500 of what I paid new. Now that's value.

Jeff

 

[mahlers]

Personally, I think you can tell a lot about a dealership by the way the sales people treat you. The way sales people are going to treat customers is largely dependent on how the dealership treats and compensates them, what financial shape the dealership is in, and what kind of values the dealership lives by.

The ideal sales environment (for both the customer and the sales people) is where the sales person makes a decent base salary so that they're not starving for that next sale, is under a reasonable quota that motivates them yet doesn't make them unfairly worry about failing miserably every quarter, feels that the dealership is going to be there forever, and finally was hired because they truly like people and like the products they sell.

When I'm treated poorly when I go to buy something, it's pretty easy to figure out which pieces are missing - and then it's pretty easy to figure out whether I want to buy from them or not.

 

[Yankee]

I have to say my Deere experience has been pretty good, as far as salesmen go. At the local dealership (James River Equipment), I was greeted, shown around, had a 4115 demo'd, etc. Just the right balance, helpful and not the least pushy. I'm not likely to buy the Deere because I'm leaning toward Kubota for several reasons, but it's not because of the Deere dealer. In fact, I've only come across a single dealer (NH) yet that I flat-out wouldn't have anything to do with. Coulda been the ambience - something akin to a 75 year-old hardware store ... mighta been the salesman ASLEEP on the tractor in the middle of the sales floor (having first made himself comfy by putting the lights out - mid-afternoon) ... maybe the "we don't sell that kind of stuff here comment (homeowner equipment, i.e., CUT).

Every other dealer I've visited (several NH, several Kubota, Kioti, Mahindra, Massey-Ferguson, Case/Farmall) has been helpful, knowledgeable, and professional.

Bill

 

[ljh2]

trkbldr,
Congrats on stepping up to the plate. It's a big purchase, but it will last you a LONG time, unlike buying a new car.

I've gotta agree with Gatorboy though, I'd rather approach the sales guy than have someone hound me and try to talk me into something while I'm still looking. I will say though that a sales guy should know the difference between a customer 'browsing' their products and a customer looking for a salesman. It's not hard to tell which is which.

BTW - Don't try any more of that slope stuff until your new rig arrives.

 

[DannyD]

I looked around at many tractors and dealers also. The NH dealer could tell me how good his tractor was, but he could tell me how bad Kubota and all the others were..........OK, next.

Had to do the Kubota thing now, first dealer was very decent, not pushy, and knowledgable, but WAY TO HIGH Priced. Second one was much cheaper, but could not answer questions on service and his service times were not good.

Finally got on the net, called another Kubota dealer 45 minutes away, got a price and bought it in the same call. Never met the guy till the cradle bearings thing came up, but he handled it all very well. 'Come to find out, the sales guy is also the owner of the dealership. Been a joy to deal with.

I turn from pushy sales people, or tell them I am just killing time and dreaming............they leave real quick then

 

[frank_f15]

i don't think the name brand of the tractor denotes the type of help u will get, it is more a case of the dealership itself.i bought my tractor from an out of state dealership, 172 miles from home it was used and i saw it on the internet, e mailed the saleman and got response post hast, then called him and said i would most likly make the drive on a monday to see it. when i got there the tractor was inside with all the attachments that came with it, ready for me to look closley at it, then they let me play in the snow with it. ended up buying it and have not been sorry. individuals got nothing to do with the color. congrats on the purchase.

 

[Poncho]

trkbldr

I've had a very similar experience SEVERAL times with a local JD dealership. I'm like some of the others here who appreciate being acknowledged and invited to come inside if I have questions or am ready to talk business. The closest MF dealership is the same way. The best local dealership I've dealt with is Kubota... I've had better experiences with close out of town dealerships. It's one thing when your are at least acknowldged... but having to seek someone and then never getting assistance /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif!! I actually went to the local Cat dealership to look at the Challenger series... had an appointment with the guy (young guy).... called before hand to confirm. Showed up on time and was told he was in a meeting... the receptionist asked if he was expecting me and I informed her hew was, she tried calling him and replied he wasn't answering his line. Waited for 20 minutes... finally the receptionist went back and told him I was waiting. He finally came out from his "meeting" being led by some cute little hottie (no wedding bands... that's the first thing I looked for... and she really didn't look like she was there to buy a tractor, particualrily after the way they looked at each other) obviously he was more worried about his personal life on company time than taking care of business. That did away with me considering buying a tractor from him and the dealership.