Dealer Attitude - Eastern Ontario

[pharmguy]

I work in Customer Service (run my own pharmacy franchise) so I think I have a reasonable measure of tolerance. What is with the dealers in Eastern Ontario???

I am in the market for a 54-60" box blade, a 60" RFM a 50" snowblower (in time) and a quick hitch for the heck of it. My Buhler sales rep sadly passed away in November. He was friendly, actually LISTENED and seemed happy to sell implements as well as tractors.

I have visited a couple of dealers and they:
1. Seem not interested unless you want to buy a tractor.
2. Have no stock in the yard - 2 dealers in a week and neither had a 60" blade and yet had 10+ CUT in the yard - UPSELL people.
3. Don't even seem to carry the line that they advertise (i.e. dealer north of Kingston doesn't even have any Woods equipment in the yard even though it is featured on their website).

I am looking at a 2.5 hour drive to shop dealers near Ottawa that actually have stock. Time and money wasted because no one close to home wants to make a little money.

Does any have any positive recommendations for dealers in the Belleville-Brockville to northern NY region? I am willing to buy Buhler, Land Pride, Bush Hog or Woods. I have access to cash and I would like to not pay Canadian MSRPs (which seem significantly higher than US MSRPs even with a hefty exchange).

Suprising that I have yet to speak to a dealer that knows of this site. The first one that shows some recognition will probably get my business from now on.

Jason

 

[Avondale]

I live in eastern Ontario (north of Cornwall) and have the opposite problem. Too many dealers within 100km that have too much "stuff" for my budget.

The Winchester area has some very good selections (JD, Case IH, NH and AGCO dealers) tho some are for the bigger machines, most have at least some CUT stuff.

Kioti dealer in Alexandria and NH in Maxville both have a good selection.

I have not been to any in the Ottawa area or west of Ottawa.

Good luck.

 

[studor]

Pharmguy -- I am just outside Ottawa and have been to most of the dealers within 100 miles.There are some good dealers and some bad like everything else -- in general the prices are high. PM me if you want to ask about specific ones.
Regards

 

[Tig]

When I lived in Ottawa I drove right by the orange dealer on 31 that sold me my tractor to buy a Buhler blower from the JD dealer in Winchester. No break on the price but they looked me in the eye and spoke to me like I was a customer. When the blower arrived it was everything I had asked for, set up and inspected. I'll go back if I need anything else.

 

[Tig]

Hey Jason. I just re-read you post and realized that you must live near me. I bought a chainsaw from the JD dealer on Loyalist road. I was happy with how I was treated. Not sure about their implement inventory.
As for crossing the border. I found that I could not save a dime on the blower or the Stihl saw.
Check the local papers. There are some good auctions this week. Especially the one I missed today. The one Boyd is doing this Saturday sounds pretty good too.

 

[AJL]

Pharmguy,

I too dealt with the same recently deceased Buhler dealer. I can tell you I was quite saddened to learn of his passing. He was a great guy, knew my name every time I walked in the door and always took time to speak. He wouldn't try to sell you something you didn't need and was always happy to deal with you, even though you were only interested in an $800 piece.

In fact I bought a 60' Buhler box blade off him and it was a real pleasure. I stopped by 5 minutes before closing on Friday. He had 20 people all working to clean the place up for a big open house the next day and he still took the time to deal with my business. He gave me a discount on a demo unit and had me loaded up and on my way in 20 minutes. I really miss him. In fact I was in that dealership a couple weeks ago, and it just wasn't the same. I left without talking to anyone. A real loss.

Being an "orange" guy I also frequent the dealership north of the city. Nice guys, but really just used car salesmen in farmers clothing. Looking to sell you something, anything, but not necessarily what you need, and their attachments are out of the over priced Farm Fleet book. The Parts guys are good, and in my experience the parts guys will look out for you, so talk with them after talking to any sales rep. They'll let you know if you're getting hosed.

Now, just last weekend I had the opportunity to be in Belleville, and had a very good experience at the Orange and Green dealers there. Green is not my colour, but they had lots of attachments on the lot. The orange dealer was quite helpful and down to earth, and his prices were far better than "north of Kingston". I'll buy parts in Kingston, but it would be worth the drive to Belleville for anything over $100.

Hope that is helpful. I'm interested to see where this thread goes, as I too am looking for a new dealer I can call my own...

 

[pharmguy]

AJL

Your experiences are exactly what I have been through. If I had met Wilbur before buying "orange" I probably would have "blue" parked out back.

I bought "orange" because I didn't want crap. I expected the "orange" dealer N of Kingston to at least have quality attachments to match the quality tractors they sell. This was their second chance as they are the closest dealer to me. It was also their last chance. I would gladly use their parts department but I will steer clear of a salesman from now on.

I bought the tractor from Mark at Anderson in Belleville. Nice guy. The dealer tends to service the big farms so doesn't carry smaller attachments. Time is money for me - with usually only 1 day off a week a trip to Belleville to look and merely order is frustrating.

A dealer in Almonte has stock in the yard. Spoke to a very pleasant female who confirmed the availability and maybe I can work on the price when I show up with a trailer to haul the blade away with and a fist full of money.

Anyone have an idea what the margin is for a box blade, etc? I am guessing 25%. $300 worth of steel + labour plus $100 for the scarifiers, pins, etc, so $400 cost. Buhler sells it to the dealer for $800. Dealer charges $1050 but had about $50 invested in the freight.

Jason

 

[AJL]

Jason,

Too funny. I too would likely be a "Blue" guy if I had met Wilbur sooner. In fact he said he would be more than happy have my Orange tractor on his lot for all to see.

It was Mark I spoke with in Belleville. In fact I hoping he'll call me this week about a used mower he has on the lot. Nice guy, good prices, but it would have to be a larger item to make the drive to Belleville worth the time and gas money.

Wilbur told me he got 20% on stock and always said he would split the difference with me and give me 10%, and I believed him. Of course that comment was related to a Wallenstein Chipper, not Buhler item.

I paid $800 tax in for my 60" Buhler box blade. It had been used, so he gave it to me as a demo. Great piece of equipment. A hinged rear blade would have been nice, but I like Buhler quality, so it was a trade off. I also have a Buhler 2560 tiller and love it.

Have fun shopping. If you want to try before you buy, let me know....

JL

 

[studor]

If that dealer in Almonte is two initials they are pretty good folks to deal with.A couple of friends of mine have Bransons from there and have been very happy. They always seem to have an inventory of implements and usually they are brand names. Cannot really comment on the pricing but my impression was they are willing to barter a little on stuff.

 

[Doug in NNY]

I bought a BX2350 last year from Walldroff Farm Equipment, Watertown NY. I couldn't be happier with service and problem-solving. Their yard is full of stuff, orange and blue. They have a web site that will give you some knowledge of the breadth of what they carry. And they have another store between Canton and Potsdam, in St. Lawrence County NY.

I don't know what's involved in bringing equipment into Canada. Walldroff handles Canadian-manufactured items like Smyth snow blowers (really well-built). So I suspect that moving things the other way cannot be all that difficult.

When I went looking for a SCUT I focused first on the dealer and then on what I wanted. Having good service is important to me.

Doug

2008 BX2350, FEL, Markham tooth bar, 54" MMM, Kodiak 5' landscape rake, Loftness 3ph 48" snow thrower, BushHog 48" 3ph tiller, Redland Hills Handi-hitch.

 

[AJL]

Doug,

I make it to Watertown a few time a year and always intend to stop by the local tractor stores, but never do. Is the Kubota dealer there far off the beaten path?

 

[Doug in NNY]

I-81 to exit 46, Bradley Street. The dealership is in Murrock Circle, about a quarter mile west of the interchange on NY Route 12. On the right is all this orange and blue. 315.788.1115.

Walldroff Equipment - Your Northern NY Equipment Specialists

Doug

Bx2350 with stuff to go with it.

 

[AJL]

Thanks. Can't beleive I didn't see that from the I-81. I'm ussualy quite tuned to that colour and have this uncanny ability to sense a Kubota dealer from up to a mile away. : ) Kind of like kids with a McDonald's. Must not work south of the border.

thanks,

JL