Am I Wrong ?

[wolc123]

If you buy a good tractor and treat it right, the dealer dont matter that much. I didn't buy from my local dealer, but I did get the brand he carries. It has only broke down once in the 16 years that I have had it, and I was able to get the replacement part (starter) delivered the next day from an aftermarket source.

The only time I drive the 3 miles, to my nearest dealer, is to pick up oil filters for the 100 hour services.

If you are tough on equipment, then I can see where a good dealer would be important to you.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

I would go to both of them, sit on the tractors, itemize standard features, price sometimes can be wide apart.

I have my second LS tractor. Both have never disappointed me. I am impressed by them so much, and by the customer service that I have received from 2 different LS dealers, I would not hesitate to get a third!

I am biased against Kubota and freely admit it. When I was shopping,(actually ready to buy), 2 local Kubota dealers wouldn't give me the time of day.... what would they be like AFTER the sale. JD wasn't any better!

I do thank them for making me look elsewhere, saving me $6,000.

 

[Rdrcr]

^^^^
That’s understandable, but...that’s a dealer issue, not a ‘brand’ issue.

I wouldn’t do business with a dealer like that too. Plus, it saved you money and that’s never a bad thing if you’re happy with the product and outcome.

Mike

 

[4570Man]

I would place pretty much zero weight on that rating unless it’s a fairly high number of legit customers.

 

[Wagtail]

G'day Mate and welcome to TBN from Downunder.

Firstly, not knowing where (generally) you are or what (generally) your circumstances are will equal fairly generic responses. That being said, I'd talk with your neighbours/locals as to 'what the word in the paddock' is about your local Dealerships. ALL colour tractors.

Secondly, you need to sit on various tractors in order to find which one 'fits' you AND what size/hp tractor will do what you need it to do. If you can, invite one of your knowledgeable neighbours along when you go to the Dealership... they don't have to say anything, but can advise you.

Thirdly, expand your range; distance especially, which will also include more brands. A two hour round trip is nothing to a lot of tractor owners. My Dealership is 1.5 hours away. Mind you, ALL of the tractor dealerships are at least 1.5 hours away from me.

Enjoy the site... from wherever in the world you are.

 

[CoyPatton]

Oh, thank you so very much! All good and true, I will talk to all of them but I am really ignorant about so much that I am not sure I will know the difference between a good dealer or a bad dealer. The one I did talk to asked a lot of questions about what I needed it for I felt like that was a positive thing. So when I talk to the next one I will see if they ask, and go from there. I want to run right out and buy one everytime I look out my window lol but I do know I need to stay calm and be patient.

Realize that over the life (decades) of a well informed tractor purchase, you will spend very few of your trips to the dealership saying more than hello to the salesman and owner. So while trying to decide on a dealership, talk to at least the service department (you are likely to deal with them frequently if you buy from them). If you do not plan to turn your own wrenches for repairs talk to the service department also. It is my opinion that these 2 areas give you the best feel for the dealership. Also note what equipment is on their lot (covid has taken its toll on this factor) and in their service bays.

 

[Username Taken]

I would go to both of them, sit on the tractors, itemize standard features, price sometimes can be wide apart.

I have my second LS tractor. Both have never disappointed me. I am impressed by them so much, and by the customer service that I have received from 2 different LS dealers, I would not hesitate to get a third!

I am biased against Kubota and freely admit it. When I was shopping,(actually ready to buy), 2 local Kubota dealers wouldn't give me the time of day.... what would they be like AFTER the sale. JD wasn't any better!

I do thank them for making me look elsewhere, saving me $6,000.

Had that happen to me at a Podunk Ford Dealer that was running a good sale.

I walked.

Went to a Ram Dealer and plunked down $60k cash money for Ram CTD.

And when Ford sent a questionaire about my experience at the Dealer, I SMOKED them. Told them they had no business representing the fine name of Ford Motor Company.

I heard through the grapevine that their entire management had been replaced or retired a few months later.

Bought my Wife a brand new Ford over the Internet and the phone. Drove up to get it, took a couple hours for them to prep it, told the Salesman that if the F&I man bugged me, I was walking. He didn't. He also wasn't happy.

Buying a new piece of equipment used to be fun. It isn't anymore.

I blame lazy management. When I was managing a Sales Floor, if I saw a customer wandering around looking lost and salesmen were nowhere to be found, somebody was getting fired. No second chances. Gone. It was usually because they were out back, smoking, eating lunch (for 2 hours) or on the phone with a girl/boyfriend. Gonzo.

And if a salesman didn't approach you, a manager should have.

Now........ That doesn't mean the Service people suck like the salesforce does. They seldom even like each other. At all. And don't communicate with each other.

A lot of times, in the Mom and Pop stores, they're all the same. And sometimes they're really busy or confused or both. Not everybody is a Multi Million dollar dealer. But they still need to be customer focused. No excuse

I recommend you do as much work as possible over the internet and on the phone before you show up in person. These days especially

 

[tmeric7]

There are plenty of people I wouldn't necessarily trust writing reviews out there. That said, I recently visited two dealers before purchasing a zero turn mower. The one with the higher reviews deserved them, and the one with the lower reviews deserved those too. Consider the reviews, but I think it's best to check out the dealers and decide for yourself whenever possible.

 

[4570Man]

Had that happen to me at a Podunk Ford Dealer that was running a good sale.

I walked.

Went to a Ram Dealer and plunked down $60k cash money for Ram CTD.

And when Ford sent a questionaire about my experience at the Dealer, I SMOKED them. Told them they had no business representing the fine name of Ford Motor Company.

I heard through the grapevine that their entire management had been replaced or retired a few months later.

Bought my Wife a brand new Ford over the Internet and the phone. Drove up to get it, took a couple hours for them to prep it, told the Salesman that if the F&I man bugged me, I was walking. He didn't. He also wasn't happy.

Buying a new piece of equipment used to be fun. It isn't anymore.

I blame lazy management. When I was managing a Sales Floor, if I saw a customer wandering around looking lost and salesmen were nowhere to be found, somebody was getting fired. No second chances. Gone. It was usually because they were out back, smoking, eating lunch (for 2 hours) or on the phone with a girl/boyfriend. Gonzo.

And if a salesman didn't approach you, a manager should have.

Now........ That doesn't mean the Service people suck like the salesforce does. They seldom even like each other. At all. And don't communicate with each other.

A lot of times, in the Mom and Pop stores, they're all the same. And sometimes they're really busy or confused or both. Not everybody is a Multi Million dollar dealer. But they still need to be customer focused. No excuse

I recommend you do as much work as possible over the internet and on the phone before you show up in person. These days especially

I actually like to be left alone while I’m looking and I’ll find a salesman when I’m ready.

 

[SoCalRedTractor]

Had that happen to me at a Podunk Ford Dealer that was running a good sale.

I walked.

Went to a Ram Dealer and plunked down $60k cash money for Ram CTD.

And when Ford sent a questionaire about my experience at the Dealer, I SMOKED them. Told them they had no business representing the fine name of Ford Motor Company.

I heard through the grapevine that their entire management had been replaced or retired a few months later.

Bought my Wife a brand new Ford over the Internet and the phone. Drove up to get it, took a couple hours for them to prep it, told the Salesman that if the F&I man bugged me, I was walking. He didn't. He also wasn't happy.

Buying a new piece of equipment used to be fun. It isn't anymore.

I blame lazy management. When I was managing a Sales Floor, if I saw a customer wandering around looking lost and salesmen were nowhere to be found, somebody was getting fired. No second chances. Gone. It was usually because they were out back, smoking, eating lunch (for 2 hours) or on the phone with a girl/boyfriend. Gonzo.

And if a salesman didn't approach you, a manager should have.

Now........ That doesn't mean the Service people suck like the salesforce does. They seldom even like each other. At all. And don't communicate with each other.

A lot of times, in the Mom and Pop stores, they're all the same. And sometimes they're really busy or confused or both. Not everybody is a Multi Million dollar dealer. But they still need to be customer focused. No excuse

I recommend you do as much work as possible over the internet and on the phone before you show up in person. These days especially

Yup. I was at a Dodge dealer years ago - checkbook was out and open, pen in hand, just needed a $$ amount to fill in - sales guy & his mgr. wouldn't give me a number, not even ballpark - I walked. Brought the new other brand around the following week to see if they had a number yet.