Dealer Freight Charge

dotScott · Apr 24, 2019

I was in my local tractor supply where I purchased my Kubota B2650 to buy a Stihl chainsaw. I happened to see a grapple on the showroom floor, something I've been wanting. I talked to my salesman and he said I should absolutely buy this one. Come to find out it's a Land Pride SGC0554, meant for the BX series only. I got it home and tried to connect and the 3rd function valve fittings were way too small. I contacted Land Pride and they said it's for BX only and too small for my tractor and I should get the larger SGC0660. OK, but no one within 300 miles has one so I needed to special order. Salesman quotes me $1800 which is MSRP plus $200-$250 freight and a 10 day wait.

Is this standard practice to charge the customer freight charges for items they don't stock?

Thought I was getting a deal. I would have bought a Everything Attachments Wicked grapple with free shipping had I known and saved a couple hundred.

Just curious if there's any wiggle room to negotiate the overall cost.

JK22 · Apr 24, 2019

Not sure about the freight charge. I did call and get a quote from my local shop on a tiller the other day, and no mention of additional freight charge (and they would have to order). I have an EA grapple and EA box blade and will probably go with EA tiller. Just be aware that EA does not ship everywhere for free. In Colorado, I think I pay an additional $50. But that’s very reasonable compared to what I’ve paid for freight from other suppliers.

Tractor Seabee · Apr 25, 2019

My dealer only adds freight if you want it quick. If you can wait till their next consolidated load from the distribution center there is no extra freight. I usually wait 2-3 weeks.

Ron

dotScott · Apr 25, 2019

JK22 said:
Not sure about the freight charge. I did call and get a quote from my local shop on a tiller the other day, and no mention of additional freight charge (and they would have to order). I have an EA grapple and EA box blade and will probably go with EA tiller. Just be aware that EA does not ship everywhere for free. In Colorado, I think I pay an additional $50. But that痴 very reasonable compared to what I致e paid for freight from other suppliers.

Thanks. I'm in EA's free shipping zone.

Oldoak · Apr 25, 2019

I don't believe any offer is "free". Those "free" costs are included in the original price. I always consider the quality of the product and the bottom line of the total purchase price.

I do understand additional shipping costs if you want an expedited order rather than waiting a dealer's normal consolidated shipment like Tractor Seabee noted. Then it's a matter of how much extra you are willing to pay instead of waiting longer for the normal shipment to arrive.

dusty3030 · Apr 25, 2019

Dealer most likely has minimum order from distributor in order to get a break on freight (freight prepaid level). Ordering a single big item is going LTL and that is expensive.