Buying Advice Almost a BX2660 owner

[BuffaloBill2]

Hello everybody,

I'm new to this forum but have already read lots of the good advice and information shared here. Over the past 3 months or so I've been thinking about purchasing a Kubota for mowing, FEL* work, and blowing snow. I've about given up looking for a used machine in my area and decided to spring for a new one.

What sort of interest do dealers generally have in selling a smaller Kubota to a home owner? I ask because my wife and I have visited three dealerships and get the impression they don't want a sale very badly. I'm beginning to get a complex about it..lol I think we're fairly pleasant people and don't come across as demanding. I grew up on dairy farm and would use this equipment there and at my home.

At the time we spoke with the 1st dealer it was a GR2110 I asked for a price on. I got the impression that I wasn't taken very seriously and was given a price about $200 under the website price. On to the 2nd dealer...

Here again it was a GR I asked about. The price quoted was better by about $800. I looked over the one they had on the lot and noticed it had like 12hrs or something and the deck was caked with grass clippings. I went back into the store and asked about the hrs on the GR and the salesman said he'd call me Monday after he found out more about those hrs (this was on Saturday). He never called. I called him a week later and the GR had been sold.

Jump ahead a month or so: After researching more about the troubles some of the GR2100 have and thinking through how much more useful a BX could be, we decided to go the BX route. The third dealer I emailed to inquire about a BX2660 with the R4 tires, a 54" MMM, and an FEL. I had a few questions about the front mount snow blower and the quick hitch. Four days went by and I received no reply so I called the dealership. The salesman (who I believe is in charge of the sales staff) said they were definitely interested in my business and that he'd been tied up with things. I'm thinking that's just fine. Then I received a brief e-mail with the quote (about 9% under the web price). I figured it's time for me pay a visit and show I'm a really interested and asked if he was working Monday. I left work early and drove to the dealership. The salesman (manager) had left but was expected back before the end of the business day. A younger salesman asked if he could help me and we talked for 45mins or so. He was very personable and knowledgeable about the products. We discussed the quoted price on the BX. I did tell him that it was higher (by $920) than a quote I received from a dealership in KY that included delivery to my home (750 miles!). He said he'd have to clear it with the manager but thought they could make this happen. It was now about 1/2hr before closing time and I left for home. Now two days have passed and I've not heard back from the manager.

Am I being too impatient?

Thanks for reading my rather long 1st post!

 

[ITHINKICAN]

Welcome to TBN. I tried to buy locally too. I was trying to beat the odds of recommendations and I wanted that 'I bought it local' relationship. I ended up biting the bullet - it worked out perfectly.Barlow Equipment - Home of the Kubota Tractor Package Builder
If there is a next time - I will try it the same exact way - hoping to establish the relationship - if it doesn't work out - I'll call Kentucky again

 

[donn12]

my tractor was delivered from Kentucky to DC...they wanted the deal and I was not going to beg someone up here to take my money. Most of these guys must not be on commission.

 

[BuffaloBill2]

Thanks ITHINKICAN for the welcome. Yes, I too would like to buy local and thought that w/o having to deliver it 750 miles to me (I said I'd haul it the 50 miles home) that the local dealership should be able to offer at least as good a price. It's good to hear form you that buying from KY was a good experience.

 

[donn12]

You cant go wrong with Barlows

 

[TripleR]

I am lucky to have a great dealer, Davis Farm Supply, about 45 minutes away. They were as anxious to sell me a BX2660 several years ago as they were a L and M later. If not for them, I would go through Barlow's.

On a side note, we absolutely love our BX2660, but having used a 54" for years, tried the 60" and prefer it. Overall, this is a great little tractor.

 

[BuffaloBill2]

TripleR, is it the extra reach (from each side of the tractor) that makes the 60" your preference or are there other differences?

 

[medicshawn]

Barlows will definitely treat you right. They're also good for giving you a price point to work with. Just be aware just as your local dealers aren't easy to deal with now, they're probably also going to be difficult to deal with if you have warranty work and you bought a tractor somewhere else. You probably won't have any warranty stuff to deal with just be prepared for some local dealer to tell you to ship it 750 miles back to the dealer you bought it from. Barlows will definitely work with you, I switched out a few things under warranty myself. I've had 3 tractors and none of them have ever been back to the dealer for service. Buying from Barlows is definitely a pleasant experience, just be aware of the risks. If you list where you live someone might be able to help you with a friendly local dealer.It shouldn't be that hard to find a dealer willing to take your money.

 

[TripleR]

TripleR, is it the extra reach (from each side of the tractor) that makes the 60" your preference or are there other differences?

It's the extra reach primarily, although the extra six inches on a big lawn cuts mowing time noticeably.

Three inches doesn't sound like much and I was honestly a little concerned when I went from a 54" John Deere 425 to the 60" on my new BX2200. The extra reach keeps me out of the bushes more, trims closer and is really useful along drop offs and getting right to the bottom of ditches. When I sold my BX2200, there was no question as to getting the 60". We also have a 62" on our JD2305.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I would expect a dealer that didn't seem to want to work with me on a sale would also not want to work with me on repairs whether I had bought it from them or someone else.
Kubota dealerships are desirable franchises and to much grief from a local or distance dealer could/can be influenced by the Kubota Company.
I've bought eleven Kubotas from Barlows but they are my local dealer.
Had a BX2660 and it is a great SCUT. It's a tractor that mows not a mower that tractors.