Barlows Equipment

[RollingsFarms]

You won't get Brady on the phone at that number. Maybe Steve Have you bought from them before? I've bought 16 Kubotas from them and none of what you say here is true from my experience. Just because they haven't jumped immediately to help you is no reason to make up stories and imply/say they are fact from actual experience. Car dealership atmosphere:shocked: Barlows :shocked: Have you ever been there? I have many times and the mechanics, owner, parts man and customers ate out front on a plastic table beside the Coke machine with greasy hands and hay on them

Not Barlows, one of my local Kubota dealers that's really popular. That's why I'm getting prices out of state at places like Barlows.

 

[newbury]

Good regular customer?? 16 tractors??

Are you on the payroll?? Or any other consideration for pushing this company so hard??

I think it's like Sarah Palin, he can see Barlows from his backyard.

 

[s219]

Well I sure wish they got their act together again. I am sure they did a lot of business that way, so maybe they will see that as a loss eventually and get back into internet sales. The combination of sales/order process, price, and delivery was outstanding.

 

[k0ua]

Well I am sorry to hear about their change business model also. I have never dealt with them, but I have recommended plenty of people go check them out.

A dealership is nothing more than a team of people. When that team is broken up and not functioning like it did before, well you don't have the same dealership.

If someone leaves and decides to "pursue other interests" what ever that is and not replaced with an equally competent person, then the dealership is broken.

Nothing lasts forever.

 

[RollingsFarms]

I knew it had been quite awhile since I'd seen where anyone on here had bought from Barlows. I remember seeing threads all the time. I won't write them off but they won't be the first dealer I contact to try to buy anything from in the future. They don't seem to want my business and that's ok. I'm noticing a good many tractor dealers seem to be going this way. It's funny how most car dealers will harass you to no end to buy a car but tractor dealers don't seem to care if you want to spend money or not.

 

[vaskeet]

any other good internet sources to get Kubota prices from looking for a zd326 ZTR mower

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Good regular customer?? 16 tractors?? Would you not consider that a GOOD REGULAR customer in 11 years? I also bought a B7200? from a renter and traded it to them for a trailer and one of the 16 was one I bought back a year later after I traded it to them.

Are you on the payroll?? They obviously are on MY payroll, not me on theirs.

Or any other consideration for pushing this company so hard?? Telling my ACTUAL successful experience is PUSHING? Would you NOT stand up for a company or friend if you felt they/he/she were being unfairly talked about? I've come to know Steve Barlow over the years after "visiting" with them so often and leaving signed contracts which always led to a later delivery of a new Kubota, except for the one used one I bought back (F2680e)

I own rental property on the West side of Somerset about 2 miles past Barlows. I live on the East side of Somerset, the side of Somerset where Gatormade trailors are built and sold. Been driving past Barlows about every other day for about 7 years, the last year not as often due to a new bypass being built. I also stop in and buy parts and sometimes implements. I did for sure sell one BX2360 FEL MMM for them to my Nieces husband Kevin (Recent retiree from the Marines from Ohio) that live/built a new home down the street from me. I let Kevin drive my BX, he wanted me to meet him at Barlows on my way by and I showed him different Bs and BXs and took him in and left him with Steve. I got a hat for the sale. I have been getting the first 50 service parts and hats when I purchase. but no other discounts from Steve other than the price he gives any other customer who qualifies for the discounts I qualify for. He doesn't dicker, negotiate, hum haw. He gives his bottom line and may even walk away unless he's at his desk. It has taken a few transactions/purchases to get used to his method of doing business but now used to it and OK with it. Know the price he gives is the price it takes to get the item. No wondering later if I could have gotten another $20 off by negotiating or if someone else got a better price. Always been satisfied with his price and even feel better when I see peoples posts of the great price they just paid and feel great about it when I know I paid $1000 to $3000 less than they did. I don't rain on peoples parades.....unless they ask and I get some PMs which I answer but usually not about price.
So, I'm a loyal satisfied customer that defends what I feel are "wrongs" and jump on with both feet when I'm "wronged" with total name, date and transaction as I see it info here and other locations that I feel matter.
With any business there are complaints and that's good for business as long as they are explained clear and understandable. There is NO 100% all great businesses.

 

[RollingsFarms]

I didn't realize I "wronged" a dealer by asking why they haven't called me back or returned my two emails about a price. You might have wonderful service from them but that don't mean everyone else has had your same experience. Some people (myself especially) might feel like they were blown off by them and didn't want my business, which is fine. Sorry if I don't join you in your happy dance about a dealer that I've not had a good experience with but tried to give some business to because I'd heard great things.

 

[628pm]

I vote for John to start working at Barlow's in the internet sales, he is close by, had all kinds of Kubota tractors and mowers and understands what a good deal is. I haven't bought from Barlow's, my local dealer is good to work with, might not be the same price as other dealers, but I am happy with them. For me, that is all that matters.

 

[amigauser]

I have had good luck with Barlow's but even in the past they were often slow to responding via phone/email. I purchased a BX and RTV from Brady and he was very good to deal with. I believe this is their busy season as it is for most equipment dealers this time of year and it sounds like they may be understaffed now that Brady is not involved with the business any longer.

 

[Gator6x4]

I knew it had been quite awhile since I'd seen where anyone on here had bought from Barlows. I remember seeing threads all the time. I won't write them off but they won't be the first dealer I contact to try to buy anything from in the future. They don't seem to want my business and that's ok. I'm noticing a good many tractor dealers seem to be going this way. It's funny how most car dealers will harass you to no end to buy a car but tractor dealers don't seem to care if you want to spend money or not.

RollingsFarms don't let the flaming scare you. I had exactly the same experience as you are relating when contacting this dealership. I posted my experience and promptly had the post removed, something about dealer bashing. So you are doing better than me, at least your posts haven't been deleted.

 

[Old Red]

I just had a tractor delivered from them last week and it was an excellent experience all the way around.

 

[BlacknTan]

JohnThomas dealing with Barlows in one thing, particularly since Barlows seems to be so close by him ... although buying 16 tractors within such a short period of time seems a bit strange, but I'm sure there is a chapter in the DSM lV that covers that issue. I had 4 Kubota dealers all about the same distance off when I bought my tractor, and all in Agricultural areas. I would certainly expect any of these dealers to take care of the guys that are making their livlihood with their equipment before a guy like me .. it's just the right thing to do IMO.
But, I chose my dealer on a guy I seemed able to trust, whom I could have a face to face, handshake relationship with .. Very important to me, because I can pick the guy's brains for info at will, maybe get a wee bit of a discount and just feel comfortable when I walk in the door.

I've mentioned my dealer's name in the past once or twice, but never rammed the name down everyone's throats in seemingly every Kubota thread. But, each of us is different ... we each have our own axe to grind, and purposes known only to ourselves for our behavior. Just that I find said behavior a bit suspect, and rather than turning me toward a specific dealer, would more than likely, turn me away ..

 

[RollingsFarms]

I just had a tractor delivered from them last week and it was an excellent experience all the way around.

How did you communicate with them? Phone? Email? In person? I have no qualms about their service, I just wanted to know if I was the only one who couldn't get them to get back with me or was something going on I wasn't aware of.

 

[TailDragon]

When I bought my second F3680 last year I called Steve after not getting a response via e-mail. He beat local dealer by 1,200 with a trade in of a ZD331. Drove up to sign papers, talked with Steve a while about all the changes to Somerset from the 70s when I would visit kin living there.

 

[s219]

I vote for John to start working at Barlow's in the internet sales, he is close by, had all kinds of Kubota tractors and mowers and understands what a good deal is.

Sounds like a perfect match. How about it JT??? I'll send some business your way soon.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Sounds like a perfect match. How about it JT??? I'll send some business your way soon.

This very thought entered my mind yesterday. I"m a Counselor that no longer uses the DSM, secure enough not to and no longer paid by the Gvmnt to require using it.
I would be a great online and phone sales rep for B and BXs but don't have enough (for me to feel competent which is the most important requirement) knowledge about the other machines and very little to no knowledge about farm equipment which I think would be important in selling farm equipment. At 67 I also have no interest in learning it.
Also when I retired from Gvmnt service/job 14 years maybe 13 years ago I made a commitment to not charge for any service I provide anyone other than items I may buy and sell. I don't charge for Counseling or any other service I provide so I wouldn't be open to having a work schedule on a "regular" basis and with my retirement checks I'd be to independent to take orders from an employer that don't pay me like I did for 40 some years.
Have some real estate interests now which if sold would maybe encourage me to seek other activities to keep me somewhat occupied so never say never.
If I get good service I tell it. If I get bad service I tell it. Maybe I'm not like other people and maybe I'm OK with not being like other people. Maybe I don't care if other people buy from where I buy and maybe other people even buy from places I don't buy from. Maybe no one can buy from where I buy and I don't care especially since I get nothing for it and my opinion(s) are not for sale, never have been and sure won't be now. Some people feel their time is more valuable than other peoples and it's probably true, just life.
I love the implications and out right accusations that I work for or am paid or have anything but a buying relationship with Barlows since I toot their horn at any opportunity but I feel that good with the prices and service I've rec'd from them and could care less if you do or don't buy from them. I feel it's a benefit to refer people to good providers. I've done it all my life and will probably do it till I die. I was getting ready to provide a list of good and bad providers but would take to long and some people would boycott some of them if I promote them and again, I don't really care if someone over pays but have some "friends" here that like to save a few bucks and can wait their turn in line without being deeply offended. If I don't get a response from a seller in a (to me) reasonable time I move on and would also post my "bad" or indifferent experience here and other places.
I do realize I have a bit different situation than some others with my living in Somerset, Ky.
I've bought over 160 cars/trucks since 1964. I buy stuff, it's one of the reasons I worked some times 2 or 3 jobs at a times for years plus I liked the jobs I was doing. I like trying new things and learned years ago that I can sell the "things" if they don't suit me and buy another different one. Is every one like me, no, and that's "OK", with me but alas some people feel that other people being "different" is a threat/insult to them being the way they are. Sorry, the Counselor won't stay down and giving no DSM codes for those that want/need to "label" every one.

 

[Old Red]

How did you communicate with them? Phone? Email? In person? I have no qualms about their service, I just wanted to know if I was the only one who couldn't get them to get back with me or was something going on I wasn't aware of.

I talked to them on the phone. The guy who answered the phone ran outside and snapped some photos of the tractor I was interested in and then I closed the deal with Steve. He spent a good bit of time with me on the phone answering my questions etc. I live about 3 hours away. Bought it on a Wednesday or Thursday and delivered that Saturday.

 

[Stargazer]

John t (or anyone) what is this DSM IV mean or definition? Never heard of B4

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

John t (or anyone) what is this DSM IV mean or definition? Never heard of B4

A book used to label people with a specific code that have Psychiatric problems. Used often times by gvmnt agencies to determine payment amounts to service providers and for one "professional" to label a person to another "professional". Diagnostic code (specific number) for psychos like me.