Dealer Dealers are strange businessmen sometimes.

[Verdemont]

Well, I've already purchased my tractor (7610) a few weeks ago but wanted to share my experiences in trying to deal with them.

I live in Colorado Springs, CO. I initially dealt with three different dealers in order to determine price and availability. I ended up purchasing a tractor from my local dealer who was very responsive. I was trying to find a good price but that was not THE overall object. I wanted to find a responsive dealer that had inventory.

Here's what happened:

Dealer #1: I call them on the phone. Tell them I have done all of my research and am ready to buy. I wanted a quote on tractor A, B, and C with a FEL and a 5' blade. I stressed that I was READY To BUY that day. Left my name and number and was told they would call me in 2-3 days. I stressed again that I was ready to buy and was most likely going to get a 7610 or 7800. NEVER even got a return call.

Dealer #2: Basically the same story except I visited them in person. (1 hour drive away). Was given MSRP pricing on all of the stuff. Was not allowed to test drive/ride anything and made me feel like I was an annoyance despite the fact that I told them I WAS READY To BUY THAT DAY. And, the salesperson bad mouthed another customer who was having a problem with their tractor. Right in front of my wife and I.

Dealer #3: I called, moseyed down, they let me drive the 2230, 7610, and 7800. I drove all around their large lot and after they were sure I knew what I was doing just let me do my own thing with no pressure. Came back a second time with my wife so we were sure the 7610 was fine for her as well. Got a good price and bought the tractor we wanted. They did all the paperwork for the Kubota financing and made it pretty darn easy to get a tractor. Tractor delivered to my house 2 1/2 days later.

Jeesh. I wonder if everyone gets treated the same at the first two dealers. If someone walked into my office and said "I'm ready to buy today, give me a price and tell me what you have" I think I could invest 30 minutes of my time. I never told any of them that price was the only factor.

Very happy with local dealer and glad they ended up being the one that had some business sense.

Tom

 

[Junkman]

Send a picture of your new tractor to both of the dealers that you didn't buy from and tell them on the back of the photo, that they could have made the sale if they had been more responsive to your needs. Might not make much difference, but it will gnaw at them for a while. Especially if you address it to the "Owner".. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[MarkLeininger]

My friend just called a half dozen contractors because he wants to put an addition on his house; proabably talking $75-100K. Never got a call back from one of them. I'm not defending dealers, just saying it doesn't surprise me.

 

[riptides]

Even dealers have bad days.

But hey! How 'bout dat 'bota? See you have been reamed ALREADY for not posting pics with you and the misses smiling at your new addition.

Good move letting her try it out!

Welcome!
-Mike Z. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[gsganzer]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( My friend just called a half dozen contractors because he wants to put an addition on his house; proabably talking $75-100K. Never got a call back from one of them. I'm not defending dealers, just saying it doesn't surprise me. )</font>

It doesn't surprise me either. My Dad went through the same thing when he tried to put on a new roof. He even contacted Sears and Home Depot. Both of them never returned his calls. I'm glad that some people's business is so lucrative that they can pick and choose customers. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[Bird]

It just seems to be a common thing with a lot of dealers in different products. And I don't understand whether it's because they have more business than they can handle, whether they have lazy employees and the boss doesn't know it, or what. When we built my brother's house, he did the blue prints himself, took those to the bank and quickly got a construction loan, etc. Then he and I took the blueprints to a large chain building supply company and the "manager" assure us they could do the take offs (make of list of materials and cost) and would call within 2 days. They never called. A week later, we were there again and he said they just got busy but would call in a couple of days. We took a set of blue prints to an independent local company and they promptly did the take offs, made the sale, delivered material on time, etc. and the first company still has never called back.

 

[BotaGuy]

As a new car dealer, my gut reaction to most of the tractor buying scenarios is the same. VERY FEW dealers actually "Try" to sell anything. They also are either unaware or don't care that people talk on these boards and are so enthusiastic about the compact tractors. When was the last time you saw an ad in the paper for a Kubota? I have seen some JD advertising, but mainly appears to be dealer association ads, that are regurgetated from national, and put the locals name on the ad. The sale of the tractor seems almost like an afterthought as opposed the reason they are in business. And before some of you dealers jump on this...the sheer fact you resond shows that you embrace the market and technology. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[RonR]

My closest Bota dealer (10 miles) was stop one when I was looking. This was a large construction line dealership, with small stuff on the side. He gave me list price, and answered a few questions I had, but basically was busy with getting ready to eat or something.

I went to Dealer #2 (40 miles), a family business, and talked with who I think was the owner. Told him what I was interested in. We walked 20 ft out to his line of CUTs. He showed me all about it and I test drove it some (I didn't think I needed to drive it much).

Brought the CFO back and she test drove it some. Price was some off list. Another worker delivered mine after it came in. The delivery guy spent about an hour after unloading showing me everything. We unhooked the loader and reattached it. He covered every function and safety feature on the unit. Then we went inside and he showed me all the paperwork and what to look at. VERY THOROUGH.

I hear him advertising on the local radio all the time--I think they do well selling to individuals where #1 probably does just commercial accounts.

Ron

 

[JRobyn]

These stories make me all the more amazed at what my "local" N Georgia dealer did for me.... I plainly told him that I was likely to buy from the TN dealer near my property (to avoid transport and service issues), but that I was undecided about the HST, and wanted to test drive one, particularly on some really steep terrain. I put about 20 minutes on one of his brand new L3830s on a moist grassy slope behind the dealership that was probably a 30% grade! Sold me instantly (well, 20 min) on HST, but it also made me feel terrible to not give him the business. He told me 'no problem, as long as I was buying a Kubota, he was happy to help!' I do plan to buy anything else I need from this guy and give him my recommendation for other potential customers whenever possible!

 

[5030]

That is probably why I deal with Dans Farm Supply in Adrian, Michigan.

I've bought 5 Kubotas from them and everyone has been dropped off at the farm for me to try out. Their usual line is "if you like it come in sometime and we'll do the paperwork"

I had my 5030 HSTC for about 6 weeks before I ever signed the note on it. Dans delivered my Lucknow 78" blower in October of last year and never sent me a bill until a month ago.

I bought a 773 Bobcat skid loader too. Same deal, no hurry. They do know where I live though and they know I am good for it. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif