Trying to buy - local dealer is non-responsive

[TractorGuy]

If you are looking at TYM tractors get one that says TYM on it. They show a dealer in Clermont and Ocala.

Looks like Ocala Tractor has New Holland, Massey, and TYM.

 

[fried1765]

If you are looking at TYM tractors get one that says TYM on it. They show a dealer in Clermont and Ocala.

Looks like Ocala Tractor has New Holland, Massey, and TYM.

I have not bought anything from Ocala Tractor, but they were very nice guys to talk with.

 

[Bearsixty7]

I'm in the market for a 35-40HP compact. After a lot of research, I've narrowed it down to the LS XR3135H or the Rural King RK37H. I like certain aspects and features of both of these machines, so I figured my decision should hinge on dealer proximity in the event of any service issues. There's a small LS dealership 30 miles away, and the nearest RK Tractor store is 120 miles.

So I stopped by the LS dealership on a Saturday and looked at the 4 or 5 tractors they had on site. They didn't have an XR3135. I talked with the salesman / owner, told him what I wanted and asked him to email me a quote, which he said he'd provide on Monday. Very friendly guy. Thursday rolls around without any contact, so I called and asked again. He emailed a quote a couple of hours later. The quote was higher than RK, but still reasonable. So I replied with a couple of follow-up questions (make/model of quoted grapple / 3rd function, etc.). That was a week ago - no response.

I had visited the RK Tractor store a month prior and the salesman was helpful and responsive with followup emails. Even provided his cell number when I visited and he went over the RK37 with me.

I'm not really comfortable with the idea of relying on service from a distant dealership, but maybe even more hesitant to try to force a relationship with a dealer that doesn't seem to want to sell their product. What's the bigger nightmare in your opinion: long-haul servicing or a local dealer that doesn't even try to make a sale?

My local LS dealership is a small Father/son operation and the son is the main salesman and mechanic so he stays very busy. Usually they respond to emails in a day or 2, occasionally I have to send a second one to get a response. Now, when I did visit them in person, I got to see first hand the son was busy as heck dealing with customers, loading new tractors or equipment and the Father was doing his best to answer questions. Once the son was caught up, he talked to me and went over many of the tractor controls and features and was very nice and patient.

The point is, in person is the main way to communicate with some dealerships. Give them a second chance, call them or go back in person before you make a final decision.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Companies are totally unrealistic. Like the time required to deal with E-Mails will just magically make itself available. Often in an understaffed/overworked (to save costs) environment. As long as a phone is ringing, messages won't be listened to and E-Mails won't get looked at. At 5:01 you go home, (or stop working) because the company doesn't pay you after that.

 

[airbiscuit]

The go-getters will find a way to respond to emails and voice mails. Their less motivated co-workers will think the go-getters have all the luck with the additional sales they score.

 

[Industrial Toys]

The "Go Getters" are often the sorts of humans I want nothing to do with.

 

[airbiscuit]

I prefer the hardworking employees to those who do the bare minimum.

 

[Industrial Toys]

At least the slackers probably won't take advantage of you. It's too much work.

 

[airbiscuit]

Well there are those who will wait for the sale to come to them. The transactions that have connected for me at dealerships were with people who were responsive, gave me information straight up and didn't play games. They understood that I wanted to get a good deal, I understood that they need to make little money. If our interests intersected, we made a deal.

I never made any deals with slackers.

 

[cowpen]

Thanks for all the well thought out responses. As much as I'd prefer to deal with someone close by, I'm just not feeling good about the local LS guy. Not even confident they have a full time service mechanic on staff. I'm going with the RK37 and crossing my fingers I get a good one that never needs service I can't do myself. I've been very fortunate over the years to have never needed warranty service on any new vehicles or equipment. Hopefully my luck continues.

No disrespect to LS Tractors. They're awesome machines and I'd be proud to own one.