Buying Advice Rookie here, looking for some advice on purchasing Ls MT125

[Deeter]

After significant research on what tractor to buy, I have settled on the MT125. I considered buying used green or orange however felt the LS was a better way to go, mainly because it would be new and covered by a warranty. I have a few local LS dealerships (Metro Detroit) and have contacted a few out of state. The best pricing I could find was out of state (Bruno's Powersports in AR). They will deliver for free and there would be no sales tax giving me an overall savings of about 2k. I would rather deal with the local guy(s) simply to buy local but also to have the ability to "stop in" if there was a problem. I have read several posts indicating that having warranty work done could be an issue if I don't purchase from the servicing dealer (which I understand). I would be ok with paying a little bit more to the local guy, but 2k is a decent chuck (could handle $1,000 higher....essentially the tax). Bottom line is I don't want to be stuck with a major fix if I buy from Bruno's.

Has anyone had any success buying from Bruno's (nearly 1000 miles from me)?

Have you had issues when/if warranty work was needed from the local guy when purchased elsewhere?

Have you had any luck with price matching requests?

Any input/direction/advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[RSR]

I too got a quote from Bruno's before making a purchase decision on an LS (XR4145HC). It was $2k cheaper before tax from Bruno's. They are about 1000 miles from me as well. Being a first tractor purchase, and wanting to support my local dealer (I'd like him to stay in business in the future so I have that resource) I went with the local dealer. If this was my 3rd tractor purchase, and I had more confidence in my ability to potentially fix problems that may arise, I would have considered Bruno's more seriously.

Also, be careful in how you view the taxes. You are not saving sales tax. They just aren't collecting it. That doesn't mean you don't owe it (you do!) You have now also created a digital history proving it.

While some may argue "If the state can't track it, I don't have to pay it", skipping out on sales tax is illegal and can get you in a boatload of trouble in a hurry. On a more personal level, I prefer to to abide by laws, even though they can be tempting to skirt, and be ethical in my business and economic decisions. That's the type of society I prefer to live in, and so that's the type of citizen I try to be.

 

[Deeter]

RSR, I appreciate the input. This is will be my third tractor but first new purchase and one I plan to keep until it dies or I do. Sales tax I would assume would be due to Michigan. If I end up purchasing from Bruno痴 I certainly do not want to do anything that wasn稚 ethical, as I feel the same way about that as you. I guess I just figured it wouldn稚 be charged because it was out of state(dumb on my part)!

 

[Diggin It]

Read up on Michigan's Use Tax. The resident is obligated to report and pay if the seller does not collect and remit.

What are you seeing for local prices? Mine was around $18K with a 48" tiller.

When you say 'third tractor', are you able to claim the AG exemption?

 

[Deeter]

Read up on Michigan's Use Tax. The resident is obligated to report and pay if the seller does not collect and remit.

What are you seeing for local prices? Mine was around $18K with a 48" tiller.

When you say 'third tractor', are you able to claim the AG exemption?

Glad I asked/inquired. When it sounds to good to be true, it probably is...

I am looking for just the TLB (no tiller etc) and I am getting prices around $16,500 which seems pretty good (especially compared to JD, Kub, Etc).

I wouldn't qualify for the AG exemption.

 

[Diggin It]

That's about right since the tiller was quoted at $1500.

 

[Deeter]

That's about right since the tiller was quoted at $1500.

Diggin, you paid 18K with the tiller? What other attachments/implements did you buy (TLBM - assuming tractor loader backhoe mower) at 18k?

 

[Diggin It]

Yeah, that. TLBM, loaded R4s, Tiller, Combination Subsoiler/Middlebuster

 

[jeff9366]

I would rather deal with the local guy(s) simply to buy local but also to have the ability to "stop in" if there was a problem. I have read several posts indicating that having warranty work done could be an issue if I don't purchase from the servicing dealer (which I understand). Bottom line is I don't want to be stuck with a major fix if I buy from Bruno's.

Have you had issues when/if warranty work was needed from the local guy when purchased elsewhere?

When you buy out-of-state local warranty service is uncertain.

Tractor manufactures reimburse dealers for warranty work via pre-set reduced labor rates and pre-set reduced parts prices, so warranty work is only marginally profitable to dealers. Kubota electrical components ordered for repairs, warranty or non-warranty, cannot be returned for credit. LS and others probably the same.

Manufactures limit warranty transportation reimbursement.

Dealers prefer to have the cushion of $1,000 gross profit on a new compact tractor sale before commencing minimally profitable warranty repairs.

Some out-of-state buyers call national HQ to complain about indifferent reception for warranty work at near-home dealer but for national HQ this out-of-state topic is an endlessly playing broken record. Dealers are independent businesses.

What value do you place on hassle-free new tractor warranty service?

 

[RSR]

When you buy out-of-state local warranty service is uncertain.

Tractor manufactures reimburse dealers for warranty work via pre-set reduced labor rates and pre-set reduced parts prices, so warranty work is only marginally profitable to dealers. Kubota electrical components ordered for repairs, warranty or non-warranty, cannot be returned for credit. LS and others probably the same.

Manufactures limit warranty transportation reimbursement.

Dealers prefer to have the cushion of $1,000 gross profit on a new compact tractor sale before commencing minimally profitable warranty repairs.

Some out-of-state buyers call national HQ to complain about indifferent reception for warranty work at near-home dealer but for HQ this out-of-state topic is an endlessly playing broken record. Dealers are independent businesses.

What value do you place on hassle-free new tractor warranty service?

This is one of the main reasons I went with my local'ish (50 miles) dealer.

I don't have a truck or trailer capable of pulling the tractor I bought. They were willing to do free delivery, and free pick-up/delivery.

In addition to Bruno's being $2k cheaper there was another dealer at 100 miles that was about $1k cheaper. BUT, they charged $250 for delivery of the tractor, and charged $3/loaded mile for warranty issues. That works out to $600 every time it has to be towed in for warranty work.