Continuing Kubota saga

[bunchgrass]

I've been looking at the Kubota 7040 and 8540 and have appreciated all the great input from the users here at TBN. To update, my local dealer has a 8540 w/ cab, loader, 12sp shuttle shift trans that they are really motivated to sell. I asked for a 3rd function on the joystick and a set of pallet forks for a final price of $45,000.

The salesman talked to his boss and they got the regional guy involved. Eventually it came down to Kubota "helping out" some and that required some higher up to contact the dealer. His comment to the dealer was "I'm not in the business of accessorizing tractors. I'm in the business of selling tractors. So they'll sell me the tractor for $45,000 as is. If I need a 3rd function, then I can pay for it."

Now I'm not questioning the price so much as I still think that's a pretty good deal but what kind of BS is that comment? Of course you're in the business of accessorizing tractors, at least with options that are presented by Kubota as that is how you SELL tractors. I don't know this guy from Adam but how you could make it to higher levels of sales and management with comments like that I'll never know.

So my point is this, I don't want to support a company or business that would make this policy. Am I being too "sensitive" or should I start looking at the Green Machines?:confused2:

 

[TripleR]

I wouldn't worry about what someone said as the dealer is going to be the one suffering, not the guy up the supply chain. His income isn't going to change one way or the other with this sale.

I personally wouldn't have gone that far up the chain and would be looking at building a good relationship with the dealer with an eye to futures sales and service.

I once took a really hard line with a dealer and while I got what I wanted for the price I wanted, feeling were so bad at the end I have never been back.

The price you were given sounds fair to me and since I own orange, red, green, I don't think anyone is going to treat you any differently.

Of course if you prefer a green tractor, then that's a different story.

 

[nybirdman]

The third function from Kubota is about $1,000 installed.There has been a few problems with them(mine included).If you need it,go with an after-market unit(WR Long) ect.My Kubotas have been pretty good and my dealer excellent,don't let a district rep turn you off about Kubotas.

 

[bunchgrass]

Thanks Triple R -

First, I didn't pursue this up the line, the dealer/salesman did this. All I did was ask for the tractor at the said price.

That said, I agree that this will only end up hurting the salesman but this behavior and attitude will prevail until folks (like me) start to talk with their money so to speak. Treat me bad and I'll go somewhere else.

I too have had bad relations with another dealership regarding parts and service - my local JD guys. So I use the JD guys in the next county who are more than glad to be there when I need them. I really tried to make things work with my local guys but they act as if I don't rate, and always have. Guess if you're not buying a $180,000 combine every few years ......

Still pondering ....also, salesman not thinking by telling me this as IMHO it wouldn't help the sale.

 

[bunchgrass]

The third function from Kubota is about $1,000 installed.There has been a few problems with them(mine included).If you need it,go with an after-market unit(WR Long) ect.....

What type of issues? I haven't heard this. And I've had an aftermarket 3rd function added on my current tractor (Add a Valve) and I thought it was a piece of junk (poorly constructed w/ cheap switch ...).

I'll check out the WR Long version ....

 

[TripleR]

Thanks Triple R -

First, I didn't pursue this up the line, the dealer/salesman did this. All I did was ask for the tractor at the said price.

That said, I agree that this will only end up hurting the salesman but this behavior and attitude will prevail until folks (like me) start to talk with their money so to speak. Treat me bad and I'll go somewhere else.

I too have had bad relations with another dealership regarding parts and service - my local JD guys. So I use the JD guys in the next county who are more than glad to be there when I need them. I really tried to make things work with my local guys but they act as if I don't rate, and always have. Guess if you're not buying a $180,000 combine every few years ......

Still pondering ....also, salesman not thinking by telling me this as IMHO it wouldn't help the sale.

I am kind of surprised the dealer went up the line too as the only time I have seen this done is to check to see if there are any new incentives of which the dealer is not aware.

Well, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but nothing you or I do is going to change the way a multi-billion dollar company does business.

I have a similar situation in my area as I won't step through the doors of the nearest Kubota dealership; bunch of doofuses who don't know diddly about much of anything and really could not care less if you buy from them or not. I go to another dealer over twice the distance away, 40 miles compared to 18. We also deal with a JD dealer 12 miles away for parts, but won't buy another tractor from them.

If I was looking to buy a tractor the size at which you are looking, I would take a close look at the one Linda Grey has for sale, it is a 9540, but the 9540 is the same tractor as the 8540 and the price seems really good.

If I could of found a used 8540 when we needed ours, I would have bought used, we just got caught short when our CX80 went toes up and didn't have the luxury of shopping around too much.

Just an observation, but many years ago I came to realize I am always better off keeping emotions out of any decisions like this.

I too have seen the posts on the 3rd function valve and Rockgod even traded his new Kubota off because of it and the inability of the dealership to fix it.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...201267-kubota-l4240-factory-3rd-function.html

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/212805-grandl-buyback.html

 

[Grandad4]

+1 what TripleR says here. You are getting a good deal even without the remote thrown in. If the dealer went to corporate seeking some kind of "extra special" financial break, corporate probably did tell him just where to get off the bus... those "just for you, today only" kind of stunts belong on the used car lot. Then the dealer, who already seems to have "wheeler-dealer" tattoo'ed on his forehead, is dense enough to gossip back to you about what the corporate guy supposedly said. Unless the corporate guy got in your face personally, I wouldn't take this dealer's account of the conversation too seriously.

You made a hardball offer - good for you - and the dealer is trying to avoid directly saying "No" by pawning it off on corporate. A real stand-up kind of guy. Corporate is most likely just trying to tell him to man up, earn his markup and take care of his customer.

Your problem is with the dealer, not the brand. You're getting 15% off, you asked for 18% and got turned down. Get over it. 15% is still a good deal.

 

[bunchgrass]

Well I just got back from the dealership (closed on the weekends) and perused the tractor again to see if I could "rekindle the flames" and get past the finger in my eye stuff.

Some things I noticed that had not caught my eye last time I was there (primarily because I was not even contemplating the 8540 at the time) - this unit has an 84" QA bucket, 2 sets of remotes, cast rear wheels w/ 30x18.5 R1s and 12 speed trans - although it is minus the radio in the cab and my "beloved" but now questionable 3rd function setup. I'm still unclear whether the QA pallet forks are in the deal or not but likely not.

I never got to check the hours on this unit but the seat still has plastic on it although the shuttle shift and other control knobs have grubby marks on them. So how many hours on a machine takes it from new to used and what's reasonable?

@Grandad4 - I agree that the dealer (actually the salesman at the dealership - been there 1 month) was stupid for telling me what corporate said if indeed they did. And if they didn't, even more stupid. But I also consider corporate pretty low for making a statement like that. To me it just says they think we're here to provide them with an income and just sign the check already. Last time I checked, I personally don't have a "service" department. Also, used cars, new cars, tractors - selling is selling. They protect their interest and it's up to me to fight for and protect mine. Otherwise, pay MSRP - that's a nice markup for 'em.

 

[creekbend]

We all try our best to get a good deal on any product we buy, whether it is a tractor or some other item. I bought a new L4400 several months ago from a local Kubota dealer. He and I worked out an amicable deal satisfactory to the both of us. He readily answers any questions that I may have and the service and parts department are very knowledgeable and professional. He has been at the same location for 29 years. But have you taken these factors into consideration? Yes, the salesman will probably receive a commission, but all the other various employees on the payroll from mechanics, parts, etc., are paid by the profits that the dealer makes. That is if there are any substantial profits left after property taxes, State and Federal taxes, occupational tax, workman's comp., advertising, insurance;etc are paid. By reading the previous posts, I have ascertained that the quote that was given to you is a fair price. The final decision will ultimately be yours to make. Even though we all would love to get something for nothing, the fact remains that in any market place, a profit must be obtained in order for any business to remain a viable success and not fail.

 

[bunchgrass]

Whoa - easy now creekbend. Dealerships don't do repairs for free nor are their parts available to you and me at their cost. Tractor and equipment sales are not subsidizing service nor parts.
Second - if we all feel responsibilities for helping out the hapless dealers, we are surely the fools. Dealers/salesmen do this negotiation/bargaining everyday for a living. Most of us do it a few times in our lives. So I have to believe that the buyer is truly at the disadvantage in that scenario.
My local dealership (42 miles away) has only been there for less than 10 yrs. Next closest one is 120 miles ..... welcome to the intermountain west.
Granted, i do think the price is fair and certainly as good as I might expect on this tractor. Need to think about my finances now.