What's the value of buying from a closer dealer?

[jaredyates]

I'm gearing up to buy a 1526 next week, with a loader and 5-foot rotary cutter.

Dealer "A" is 15 minutes drive away. Their price out the door is 19260. Dealer B is an hour and a half away, and their price is 19650 out the door, but they are including a free set of pallet forks. There is also a chance that Dealer B will match Dealer A's price and still include the pallet forks, but I haven't asked yet.

How unwise is it for me to buy from Dealer B when it comes to the ongoing relationship, which will inevitably be more involved with Dealer A? If the tractor needs warranty work, I suspect I'll get some eye rolls if I bring it to Dealer A having purchased it from Dealer B. But then again, assuming dealer B will price match (they advertise that they do), then we're talking about a difference of probably $600 (it seems that's about what I can buy pallet forks for).

At what point does the price difference make it worth buying from the more distant dealer?

Certainly this is something that is going to vary from one buyer to another, but I'm interested to hear opinions.

 

[tracydj]

I am under the impression that the purchasing dealer is the only one that can handle warranty work. The warranty has to be transferred if you want another dealer to do the work. Price means nothing to me. Service is worth at lest $1000 difference in price. Pick the dealer that you get the warm fuzzy about.

 

[RNeumann]

The price is so close my time is worth more to me. I'd go on instincts from what you are describing you like dealer B or you wouldn't be asking the question. If that's the case just understand, as you state, the dealer could be an issue. But honestly if a dealer told me they wouldn't service something cuz I didn't buy from them I'd never shop there again. 2 year olds take their ball and go home- not good customer oriented businesses!
The other factor is sales tax. If B is over the state line and they deliver you may not need to pay sales tax.

Edit- auto corrected "instincts" to "titans"

 

[jaredyates]

They haven't said that they wouldn't service it, and maybe they would be glad to.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

I bought from Dealer A (30 min away and lowest price). First warranty problem I had (3 Mo later) it took their one man shop 2 months to get me back in business and a lot of less than cordial dialog. I now do business with Dealer B (1 hour away) as their 6 man shop gets stuff in and out in a timely manner and were glad to get some other warranty work and a KTAC $8000 claim job. Since I have done another $10K business with them and can always count on at least 10% discount on everything. GO FIGURE

Ron

 

[oosik]

I've owned two tractors in the 35 years I've been here. Both came from the same dealer. This dealer has always provided efficient, fair service and never a squawk on any service request. This dealership is one of the rare type - an old, established farming family that has been rooted in the community for well over one hundred years.

From what I've read over the few years here on TBN - you will be very lucky if you never have a service concern on a new tractor. It may be only minor, it could well be major.

From my point of view - its very important to have a good dealership - even if you are lucky and never need service. Remember, they will be your source for parts, supplies and new implements. Tractor Seabee, Ron, makes an excellent point in fact - post #5.

 

[The Deerslayer]

The real question is which dealer provides the better service when your talking that little of a price difference. If you have not done so already, tour each dealer's shop and have a conversation with the service manager. Ask for a couple customer references and call them. You should get a sense of where and who you would be more comfortable working on your investment if the need should present itself.

IMO, the price difference is not significant enough to warrant going to dealer B if you prefer dealer A for their service, reputation, etc... When you break it down, currently your best case scenario is you pay the same lower price at dealer B and get a set of pallet forks. However, that being said, if you prefer dealer A, I would certainly go back to them and ask that they throw in a set of pallet forks to close the deal. Then you would be having and eating your cake as they say :licking:

 

[burzynsr]

If you have your tractor "serviced" you will be paying for that. If you have warranty work it will be a no charge repair. I may be wrong but your warranty is from the factory and can be performed at any authorized dealer. The factory pays the dealer for the warranty work. In your case the price is almost exactly the same and I would use the dealership that makes you feel the best. As far as warranty items you will probably have a couple of small things but the odds of monthly trips to the dealer for warranty are slim. I would not let the distance be that big of a factor for dealer "B". As far as parts go you can buy from the closest dealer even if you don't like them, the parts are the same no matter who sells them.

 

[IslandTractor]

I've had two dealers. One was close but went out of business (dropped the line). The other was 300 miles away. The out of state dealer delivered my tractor for fuel costs and supported me via phone for the two minor warranty items that needed dealing with (I put the new seatbelt and new fuel bowl on) and also talked me through diagnostics to determine why the 4wd stopped working (disconnected wire by brush). I've never needed to take the tractor back to any dealer since delivery over ten years ago. I'm in favor of choosing a dealer you like and trust and not worrying about geography. Cell phones, email and UPS/FedEx make it a lot easier to care for a tractor these days so long as you don't mind getting your hands dirty. I should add that I had never cared for a diesel engine or tractor maintenance before owning one so even a newbie can manage with good advice from a dealer.

 

[ovrszd]

Dealer "A" is 15 minutes drive away. Their price out the door is 19260. Dealer B is an hour and a half away, and their price is 19650 out the door, but they are including a free set of pallet forks. There is also a chance that Dealer B will match Dealer A's price and still include the pallet forks, but I haven't asked yet.

Dealer B isn't "including a free set" of anything. He's charging you $390 for a set of forks.

 

[IslandTractor]

Dealer B isn't "including a free set" of anything. He's charging you $390 for a set of forks.

Agree but Dealer B has now put himself in the position of needing to match Dealer A and include the "free" set of forks. BTW, a set of SSQA forks goes for about $500 retail so $390 is probably about the dealer cost.

 

[ovrszd]

Agree but Dealer B has now put himself in the position of needing to match Dealer A and include the "free" set of forks. BTW, a set of SSQA forks goes for about $500 retail so $390 is probably about the dealer cost.

Dealer B will match dealer A with no debate. Remember Dealer A isn't offering forks. Dealer B will gladly keep his forks and match the lower price. No reason not to.

Unless there's something hidden here, looks like a no-brainer. If you want the forks ask Dealer A and I'm sure he'll gladly give you the same deal as Dealer B.

 

[LD1]

As been established, the price difference is nil.

So it really comes down to if you want a deal 15 min away, or the same deal 1.5 hrs away.

So, is there significant difference in dealer quality and how they make you feel?

No matter where you buy, they will BOTH be obligated to preform warranty work. The difference between getting warranty work done where you bought it, vs another dealer is how they treat you regarding that warranty work. IF you go to the dealer you bought from, sometimes they include some free things like transportation, or they will get you in and out quick. IF taking a tractor in for warranty at a dealer you stubbed your nose at and bought elsewhere....it usually goes to the back of the line. And they dont have any reason to hurry.

They will also both gladly service the machine. But general attitude may be the same as above.

 

[Oldoak]

I would go with the dealer that has the best reputation for good service. If they are about equal, I would definitely go with the closest one. The forks would be a non-issue. Others have already pointed out they are not "free".

 

[The Deerslayer]

Hopefully the OP will provide a status........

 

[Thomas]

Other question you should think about there service department.

 

[jaredyates]

Hopefully the OP will provide a status........

Thanks for the input everyone, I've enjoyed reading your responses. I have sent a message to dealer B to see if he is willing to match dealer A's price and still throw in the forks at dealer A's price without the forks. If he does, then I'll mention that to dealer A and see if they can do any better. Rather than try and guess whether dealer A is going to have hard feelings about me buying the tractor from dealer B and running service through dealer A, I'll just ask dealer A and factor in that answer.

I once paid extra to buy a riding mower from a local shop (not dealer A) thinking I'd be better off when it came to service and such, but it didn't work out that way. In a subsequent summer I spent two months without the mower while they addressed at the band-aid level, but did not fix, an issue that was covered under warranty. Later on another issue was covered under warranty but when it was time to pick up the machine they tried to charge me for it. Times that I brought in the machine they usually assumed it came from the big box store. That place is a bad shop, and it's not fair to dealer A for me to project that bad experience onto them, but from that I learned that the level of service after the sale might have more to do with the quality of the shop than the place I purchase from.

 

[The Deerslayer]

Thanks for the input everyone, I've enjoyed reading your responses. I have sent a message to dealer B to see if he is willing to match dealer A's price and still throw in the forks at dealer A's price without the forks. If he does, then I'll mention that to dealer A and see if they can do any better. Rather than try and guess whether dealer A is going to have hard feelings about me buying the tractor from dealer B and running service through dealer A, I'll just ask dealer A and factor in that answer.

I once paid extra to buy a riding mower from a local shop (not dealer A) thinking I'd be better off when it came to service and such, but it didn't work out that way. In a subsequent summer I spent two months without the mower while they addressed at the band-aid level, but did not fix, an issue that was covered under warranty. Later on another issue was covered under warranty but when it was time to pick up the machine they tried to charge me for it. Times that I brought in the machine they usually assumed it came from the big box store. That place is a bad shop, and it's not fair to dealer A for me to project that bad experience onto them, but from that I learned that the level of service after the sale might have more to do with the quality of the shop than the place I purchase from.

Good luck, and let us know how you make out.

 

[LD1]

I'd forget talking to dealer b. If you want to buy from the close dealer, deal there first. Consider something like $19k and throw in a set of forks. See if they bite.

 

[dickfoster]

Thanks for the input everyone, I've enjoyed reading your responses. I have sent a message to dealer B to see if he is willing to match dealer A's price and still throw in the forks at dealer A's price without the forks. If he does, then I'll mention that to dealer A and see if they can do any better. Rather than try and guess whether dealer A is going to have hard feelings about me buying the tractor from dealer B and running service through dealer A, I'll just ask dealer A and factor in that answer.

I once paid extra to buy a riding mower from a local shop (not dealer A) thinking I'd be better off when it came to service and such, but it didn't work out that way. In a subsequent summer I spent two months without the mower while they addressed at the band-aid level, but did not fix, an issue that was covered under warranty. Later on another issue was covered under warranty but when it was time to pick up the machine they tried to charge me for it. Times that I brought in the machine they usually assumed it came from the big box store. That place is a bad shop, and it's not fair to dealer A for me to project that bad experience onto them, but from that I learned that the level of service after the sale might have more to do with the quality of the shop than the place I purchase from.

It seems you've learned that it really has nothing to do with proximity or price, rather what kind of people the dealers are. That's pretty much all you need to know and that should steer you to the right dealer.