Dealer Choosing a dealer

Anonymous Poster · Mar 3, 2001

I am new to compact tractors and am in the information gathering stage.I live in central N.H. and have visited three Kubota and one John Deere dealerships so far.I have not decided what tractor will suit my needs and that will be the subject of a future post.Right now I'm mostly concerned with finding a good dealer.I suppose I could query the BBB but beyond that I really don't know how to "investigate" a customer/dealer relationship.To date all my dealer visits have been friendly and informative but my nature is to be a little cautious when pursuing the unknown.Unfortunately I don't know too many people who own these tractors locally so it's difficult to get an opinion about potential dealers.I sure would appreciate any input.

Thomas · Mar 3, 2001

mbc03250,
If you get a chance check out Muhammad book and that should help out a lot w/ your questions.
For sure..do your home work before purchasing for you are making an investment.

If your around these parts {Lebanon,NH}try and visit Town Line Equipment,which is located Plainfield,NH Rte120,603-675-6347,ask for Bob Marrazzo the owner or Steve the yard boss..great bunch w/lot of info...oops forgot mention they sell Kubota.
Than there is Hawkensen Equipment located in Plymouth,NH Rte25.603-536-2433 and they sell Kubota & John Deere.
Also there RN Johnson located in Walpole,NH that sells John Deere.

There some of us in New Hampshire that might beable to help..Caretaker,AndyR,DaveNH etc..so ask a way. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Just kick back and enjoy doing your home work...half of the fun is getting there. /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

Thomas..NH /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

M. Sullivan · Mar 4, 2001

Welcome. You will find a lot by researching the posts here. As said, check out the buying and basics book. That said, look for attitude (willingness to provide info.), service capability, experience and finally price (the above should make price fairly irrelevent).

AndyR · Mar 4, 2001

You could also check out Ryan Tractor in Tilton (Kubota and New Holland) as well as Chappell Tractor in Milford (well that's a bit far south). I would go through the Buying Guide and jot down a bunch of questions you think you might have. Don't have to ask them - just have 'em in your head as you are touring a dealership. Also, if you are not thinking of purchasing till next year, check out the Farm and Forest Expo. in Manchester - usually around the first weekend in February. A number of dealers are there (from small to real big) and lots of other equipment too.

I have a tendancy to walk around service areas when "interviewing" a dealer. You can get a fair idea of the quality and quantity of work they do. Another good guide has been mechanics and/or hardware store folks tht do some ag and tractor work. They usually have a good handle on what has the least problems.

Roughly what size tractor are you looking for?

"Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy." - Ben Franklin

Anonymous Poster · Mar 4, 2001

I am also in a similiar situation from the central Vermont area. I visited a JD dealer in No Haverhill, NH, called Blackmount Equipment and spoke to Ray, nice guy,very patient bought a lawn tractor from him last year. I am trading in a JD 950 2WD, looking for a 4WD unit. I am considering the JD 790 for 14,900 with loader. If you come up with any information about better equipment at similar prices, I would appreciate an email to wpt4@home.com Thanks

Billc · Mar 5, 2001

I'm with Andy, go hang out at the dealership you're interested in.

The first dealership I went to, Rheinheart in Rome GA, I didn't like. It was very crowded, things on top of each other, etc. Not a good feeliing. Still I would have bought my tractor from them if they had met my price. But if I had needed work done I would have gone to Goss Tractor in Jasper Ga.

Goss Tractor had different guys just hanging out drinking coffee. A very relaxed atmosphere. You could tell the guys in the shop knew their stuff. They didn't mind if you hung out at the service bay, as long as you stayed out of the way and didn't interrupt. Often I'd test drive a tractor and park it out side the service bays and just watch. You learn a lot that way.

If a dealership won't let you do that, maybe find a different dealership.

One other point. I still go up to Goss and just hang out if I have some time and I'm close. I learn a lot from the farmers.

Bill Cook

mbc03259 · Mar 5, 2001

Thanks to all of you for your wise and sage advice.The customer/dealer realtionship is very important to me.

On my way home from work the other day I noticed a B1700 parked in front of a boat storage business.This was my chance to get some opinions from the owner.As I approached the boat shop I noticed an L3010 in front.Wow,this guy is into Kubotas'!Indeed,here was one very happy and satisfied Kubota owner.He loved his tractors and praised the dealership.I thanked him for his time and the next day I was off to see his dealer.This dealer is not the closest one to where I live,in fact,there are two others that are half the distance but I was inspired by the "boat guy's" enthusiasm.

This winter in New England has been one of contrasts.First we got a little snow followed by a little rain then we got a whole 'lotta snow followed by a whole 'lotta rain which froze up to become a whole 'lotta ice!

As I turned into the dealership I noticed that almost all the machines were sitting in an "ice pond" right in front of the store.The only ones not in the ice were eight BX2200s' high and dry on the pavement.I later found out this dealer sells a lot of BX2200's.I got out of my truck and started skating over to look at the other machines.Soon,a salesperson noticed me and came out to join me on the "rink".I resisted the urge to tell him I had forgotten my crampons as we slipped from tractor to tractor.A 2710 caught my eye and I asked a lot of questions and received a lot of knowledgeable answers.After exhausting every thing I could think of to ask the next logical step was a test drive.Now,picture the scene,the fel is in at least 6-8" of ice along with the tires and the attached hoe bucket.I avoided the awkward moment and decided against a test drive.It did occur to me,had I asked for a demonstration,would a bunch of employees come out with ice chisels and blowtorches?For that matter,did they even have ice chisels and blowtorches?I said thank you very much and left only to return on eighty miles of frost heaved winter road.I was disappointed.I could not or would not give this dealer a good recommendation.Oh,did I mention they also sell snowmobiles?

Hey,Thomas,I did visit Hawkensen's and found them to be informative and helpful.The store manager,Custer Reed,provided a few suggestions to my needs and I have been back twice already.I also went south to Ryan Ford which was recently bought by a southern NH dealer,Mears Tractor.The first thing you notice as you approach this dealership is the enormous inventory of Kubota and NH tractors.They virtually have every model in the sub and compact lines.I was in Kubota heaven!I walked around for a while but as a potential first time tractor buyer I hit the overload.Too much,too soon and this is going to take a little time to reach a decision.It's just good to know that there are these dealer alternatives.

By the way,I found it interesting that Hawkensen is a Kubota?John Deere dealer.Isn't that a conflict in terms or is it a conflict of interest?No,I get it,it's an interest in conflict!!

The quest goes on.

Dean,also in NH.

Thomas · Mar 5, 2001

mbc03259,
I to was surprise when I notice Hawkensen sold both Kubota & John Deere, /w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif for one doesn't see something like that to often in these parts.
The good side of selling two well known tractors,on a good day you can try different models out which will help on your like and dislike list.

Frost Heaves..there so bad up here now I can't have my cup of coffee as I drive to work in the morning. /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif

Have a warm and safe evening.

Thomas..NH /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif