Constructive Feedback from Former Potential JD Customer

[lipancreek]

I had a somewhat similar negative experience with a variety of tractor dealers. When I was looking, the people who actually were the least responsive were New Holland and IH dealers. I was replacing an IH tractor, so I really kind of wanted one. But not after I could not get a response from the two local dealers. One NH dealer was very responsive in fairness, but too far away. Kubota talked to me, but never bothered to tell me they could actually get me a no-emissions model, despite knowing this was criteria. They told me this only after learning I was shopping elsewhere. They were so busy, they clearly didn't have time to spend on any one person. JD was ok, and responsive, but almost zero negotiation. Their attitude was take it or leave it, we've got more important things to do. After deciding on JD because it was the closest dealer to me, I wrote them a check for the tractor and implements and met with the sales guy to finalize the deal. I went back to get another implement and they didn't remember who I was. It was kind of amusing, but shows you who they care about and who they don't.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Good points. The local dealer I wanted to deal with I know was bought up by a larger JD chain. From what I was told second hand is that he was forced into selling his dealership because he could not push as much metal as JD desired. Unfortunately he still is working there running the business but clearly there is no passion. Another point too is that I went to another dealer from a different group and they had the same attitude.

Perhaps it is intentional. Perhaps JD sees the competition from Kubota, Kioti, Mahindra, MF. Perhaps they are quietly exiting these market segments and focusing on the professional/corporate farms etc. From my layman's view right now the competition does seem to care more than JD.

Something else, not all sales jobs are the same. From the way you explained yours, you might not have a dozen or more "lookey loos" come into your office daily. It would be easy to have a bad day if the last 103 people all walked away. IMO, the product SHOULD sell itself, the salesman is just an expediter.

 

[5030]

Must be the fact that I'm wearing a Rolex when I visit any dealership (car, truck, tractor, whatever) that impresses them. I guess they figure when you wear a Rolex you have either 'arrived' or have lots of spendable income... to spend.

Same way with hunting. I wear Kuiu camo and my optics are Swarovski. Guides and outfitters all know what that stuff costs so the assumption is, the owner has bucks.

I never tell them the Rolex was a gift from my dad years ago and the Kuiu I won in a giveaway or the Swaro bino's I bought second hand. Looks ARE deceiving.....:laughing:

 

[Deere Dude]

Something else, not all sales jobs are the same. From the way you explained yours, you might not have a dozen or more "lookey loos" come into your office daily. It would be easy to have a bad day if the last 103 people all walked away. IMO, the product SHOULD sell itself, the salesman is just an expediter.

Maybe Kubota needs to have someone talk them up to have people buy them whereas the JD dealer relies on the word of mouth and salesmen are just there to do the paperwork and answer a few questions. I have problems now and then with all dealers, maybe because I look poor and walk in with my pockets inside out.

I went to a big fairly new Harley dealership some years ago and there were people milling around in the storeroom so I went and sat on Harleys, played with them a little and did everything except set myself on fire to be noticed. I was there for at least 20 minutes before I just walked out. Anytime I need to wait a few minutes I count it a blessing so I can lookee at the stuff but there is a limit. I am glad a Harley dealer didn't come over I probably would be a few thousand poorer.

 

[kcflhrc]

My JD buying experience was nothing short of amazing. Did the whole deal over the phone and had the tractor delivered to my house. The salesman I bought it from actually delivered it himself and showed me how to use everything. There are bad dealers everywhere, not just tractors. I recently drove 10 hours round trip to buy a motorcycle just because the sales person was so great as was everyone at the dealership when I picked it up. The owner actually was the one that talked to me and helped me load up the new bike. Did this deal over the phone also. My point is, for every bad one there a few good one's. Don't be afraid to travel a little to get a deal.

 

[MMagis]

Why on earth would someone post this on some random internet forum? If you want anything other than attention and a pity party, send it to JD and the dealers.

 

[davesl708]

I do most of my homework before going to the dealer. I don't like the salesperson to shadow me as I look at the fine points.
Just an acknowledgement that I am there is ok. I will ask for help if I need it.

Just reading the post here it is apparent that salespeople have a lot of different preferences to deal with and guess which person wants to be treated which way.

Basic courtesy is to acknowledge you even if busy with someone else.

 

[Industrial Toys]

JD has unfortunately become just as dysfunctional as most other big corporations. It's really sad when you have to go to forums to get real information and answers.

I am trying to get information on an old E-Gator that I bought. The JD corporate machine just keeps reffering me back to my local dealer that has sold maybe one in twenty years. And understandably, the dealer has no interest (since I am not looking to buy anything) to spend the time dealling with JD tech support on my behalf.

 

[AuburnAlum]

Update: I was able to speak to a new JD dealer yesterday and it was a very positive experience. I had done business with this dealer in the past and it was always positive but for some reason I though they were owned by a larger chain that I did not have a positive experience with. Overall it was a great visit, very informative and a great price offered. Now in contention for a purchase. To note they do cater to more of the landscaping and consumer and not the high end professional Farmer with purchases of $1M combines. But again, a great overall meeting.

 

[corey9212]

Update: I was able to speak to a new JD dealer yesterday and it was a very positive experience. I had done business with this dealer in the past and it was always positive but for some reason I though they were owned by a larger chain that I did not have a positive experience with. Overall it was a great visit, very informative and a great price offered. Now in contention for a purchase. To note they do cater to more of the landscaping and consumer and not the high end professional Farmer with purchases of $1M combines. But again, a great overall meeting.

That's awesome you found a great dealer, I found even though dealers can be part of a large chain and you have a bad experience with another dealer from that chain that every dealer is still different and you can have a great experience with another dealer from the same chain. I have had that experience before and once you find that one dealer that's great you always go back to them for that great experience.

 

[AuburnAlum]

Why on earth would someone post this on some random internet forum? If you want anything other than attention and a pity party, send it to JD and the dealers.

Why did you even waste the time to reply? I wrote this post because I am in the business of customer satisfaction. I sell technology that does automatically search for sentiment on JD (or any company) for that matter. Companies focus on blogs and forums as they are the best indicator of customer sentiment and what customers are talking about. They may even have 'ghost' members that read these individually.

 

[ovrszd]

Why did you even waste the time to reply? I wrote this post because I am in the business of customer satisfaction. I sell technology that does automatically search for sentiment on JD (or any company) for that matter. Companies focus on blogs and forums as they are the best indicator of customer sentiment and what customers are talking about. They may even have 'ghost' members that read these individually.

You make your living by gathering data concerning customer satisfaction?? You sell technology that searches the web for posts pro/con of specific companies??

 

[AuburnAlum]

You make your living by gathering data concerning customer satisfaction?? You sell technology that searches the web for posts pro/con of specific companies??

Yes. That is a small part of my business, but companies for a number of years now have started to look to the Internet to mine customer information.

 

[ovrszd]

Yes. That is a small part of my business, but companies for a number of years now have started to look to the Internet to mine customer information.

So you started a thread on TBN about feedback from a "Former Potential JD Customer" for the sole purpose of selling that feedback?????????????????

 

[AuburnAlum]

So you started a thread on TBN about feedback from a "Former Potential JD Customer" for the sole purpose of selling that feedback?????????????????

Calm down. No. I am not selling anything on this form to anyone. JD is not my customer, I have no interest in doing business with JD and the company that I work for I have no ability to even choose to talk to JD. IF JD uses the technology that I work with to search for customer sentiment they may be able to find this post helpful along with the responses.

Again, I am on this forum for my own personal interest to buy a tractor and to educate myself, not for the purpose for furthering my business or career. That. Is All.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Corporations only listen to what they want to hear anyway. Maybe JD will be so innovative and gutsy, as to be the first to have a "DISLIKE" button!

 

[ovrszd]

Corporations only listen to what they want to hear anyway. Maybe JD will be so innovative and gutsy, as to be the first to have a "DISLIKE" button!

Good one!!!

 

[wcampbell47]

I am no authority on this subject but allow me to express what I have observed and been told by a dealer or two. Manufacturers and especially JD have established dealerships that cater to the large scale farmers and other dealerships that cater to the small land owner. As you can readily see there is a great divide in the type of equipment each of these dealership types can offer. One company may have a dealership of each type, but don't think you will find them on the same sales lot. Now that does not speak to the salesman issues. Just because you see JD green on the lot does not mean they are selling the equipment you need/want.

Fortunately the dealer I use has the large Case/IH equipment on his lot but right up front next to the road is the whole line of Kubota tractors. He has the ability to deal with both. Who knows why the corporate types set up their business models the way they do????

 

[TCowner]

I just finished a tractor purchase at a John Deere dealer in SE Minnesota and I must say I was treated with courtesy and professionalism. I had been researching the Deere 4066r for some time and made a decision I was going to get compact tractor with a nice cab. I got prices from three different dealers and even the two that were substantially higher in price still treated me well. The sales "consultant" new his product and in one area where he wasn't exactly sure he didn't try to pretend like he had the answer. He said he would get the correct information and get back to me.. I had a phone call within 20 minutes.

In the end we put together a deal on 4066r with H180 loader with several upgrades. I took about 3 weeks and a dozen phone calls to decide exactly how I wanted the tractor and loader equipped and was never made to feel I was bothering the salesman. My experience was pleasurable, so much in fact, that I contacted one of the owners (they have 8 dealerships in SE Minnesota) that I have known for 25 years and told him.

So, it is possible in this day and age to have a good experience with a tractor purchase from John Deere. I too, over the past 30 plus years of buying John Deere products from dealers, have gotten an occasional "stinker" that can sour the feeling of trying to own John Deere products. But generally speaking, I have been pleased.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Buying is usually the easy part. It's what potentially happens after that, that matters most to me. I will never forget when I helped my Mom and Step Dad buy a dodge 600 back in the eighties. That saleman was the nicest guy you could meet. When we went back a couple of days later to pick up the vehicle, my step Dad had some concern and approached the salesman. He was kind of busy with other people but was basically rude, wouldn't give us the time of day and simply referred my step Dad to the service dept. I felt so bad for my step Dad. I will never forget that and generally never take a human at face value.