I'm considering a CT2040 TLB and was wondering if anyone has experience with some of the larger Bobcat dealers. Particularly those that service commercial equipment customers. Do you feel that you take a backseat. Have you been satisfied with service. I have the option to buy from a big dealer and a smaller outfit. Or go with a different manufacturer. Thanks for opinions!
Compact tractor service vs. Commercial Bobcat service
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Robert_Actual
Bronze Member
I can’t speak to any long term service, but the original sales experience was really good. I walked in and started looking at ToolCats while I waited. Sales guy came over and then proceeded to spend the next 4 hours with me before I purchased the tractor.
As far as shop time, the shop manager text me when my 3rd function kit came in and told me it would be installed 3 days later. When the service was complete, they delivered the tractor 2 days later.
So far so good and I can’t complain. Purchased from Bobcat of Seattle.
As far as shop time, the shop manager text me when my 3rd function kit came in and told me it would be installed 3 days later. When the service was complete, they delivered the tractor 2 days later.
So far so good and I can’t complain. Purchased from Bobcat of Seattle.
tman1020
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Just recently went down to look at the new bobcat tractors at my local bobcat dealer about 45 minutes away. I knew more about the tractors than anybody in the store. Nor did they seem to have any desire to sell them.
In fact the Manager told me that he would probably give the sale of the tractor to somebody from another branch that I would never even see. I’m thinking that they were short handed because of Covid having people work from home. I don’t think they’re going to do well with their tractors this time around either if this is how they continue to handle it. He did sound excited about the new Snow pushers and lawnmowers are going to be selling though
In fact the Manager told me that he would probably give the sale of the tractor to somebody from another branch that I would never even see. I’m thinking that they were short handed because of Covid having people work from home. I don’t think they’re going to do well with their tractors this time around either if this is how they continue to handle it. He did sound excited about the new Snow pushers and lawnmowers are going to be selling though
MoKelly
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Short answer - yes. But - this was back the first time Bobcat started selling tractors.
There was no doubt. The place was founded, grew and was successful selling commercial. Now, all of a sudden, they got tractors and a retail business. It’s a meaningful transition.
My guess is the dealer will try and comply with whatever rules Bobcat says, but, until the tractors start selling and making profits, it’ll be a sideline state of mind for their dealership.
Why hasn’t Cat gotten into the game?
MoKelly
Thanks all for chiming in. Looking forward to checking out the Bobcat dealerships. I've been having a difficult time with my local SMALL Kioti dealerships. I think they focus more on their small power equipment and lawn tractors. This may be the reason of going Bobcat. We'll see.
MoKelly
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By the way, I did buy the CT 235 from Bobcat. It’s been really good to me. I have roughly 600 hours. I use it pretty easily with mostly mowing and brush hogging. A little loader work moving branches and stuff to burn piles.
Knock on wood I never needed the dealer for any problems.
Good luck.
MoKelly
MoKelly
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By the way, I did buy the CT 235 from Bobcat. It’s been really good to me. I have roughly 600 hours. I use it pretty easily with mostly mowing and brush hogging. A little loader work moving branches and stuff to burn piles.
Knock on wood I never needed the dealer for any problems.
Good luck.
MoKelly
Snowlan
Silver Member
Similar for me, the Kioti dealer is relatively small. Multi-Generation business, but tractors are in the last decade only as they grew from chain saws and other yard tools.
I was really happy with Bobcat up front, great price and easy to talk to. But while I wait for the delivery of the tractor I'm making some changes to the order with more attachments and it is really hard to get answers back in writing. I can reach the salesman on the phone, but he is always on the road because he serves a big territory. In fairness, their head salesman retired during the process and they are still a person down. Compound that with COVID and it is likely worse than usual.
tman1020
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- Bobcat ct225 and Bad Boy zero turn
Don’t get me wrong it’s a fantastic tractor and if I Buy another tractor it would be my first stop. I am yet to come across a tractor that I feel is better suited for me. I would probably even tolerate not being first position at the dealer. Nice thing about bobcat is there’s normally another dealer not too terribly far away
First time I went into a Bobcat dealer they told me they had no tractors on the lot and “there’s no farms around here so we don’t sell them”. Funny thing is that I was parked in their lot....next to a 10 series tractor. The guy in there seemed genuinely surprised that he had a tractor on his lot.
that being said I shopped around some more at other dealers/makes and received various quotes or “we have nothing in stock and no idea when we’re getting it” type of conversations.
went online and saw the free loader promo so I called the dealer rather than walk in and they put me in touch with a young sales guy that didn’t know a ton about tractors but he was happy to sell me one at a discounted price and got me answers when he didn’t know the answer.
at the end of the day I drove home with a ct2025 for $1,000 less than the smaller CX2510 Kioti I was looking at.
that being said I shopped around some more at other dealers/makes and received various quotes or “we have nothing in stock and no idea when we’re getting it” type of conversations.
went online and saw the free loader promo so I called the dealer rather than walk in and they put me in touch with a young sales guy that didn’t know a ton about tractors but he was happy to sell me one at a discounted price and got me answers when he didn’t know the answer.
at the end of the day I drove home with a ct2025 for $1,000 less than the smaller CX2510 Kioti I was looking at.
