Haggling help

[jcliburn]

Okay, I'll admit it: I'm a terrible haggler. I just don't like doing it.

I'm in the market for a ZTR and I've semi-settled on a Hustler Sport 54" with Kawasaki FR651V 22HP engine. I'd like to support the only dealer in my rural county, who lists the rig at $4499 + tax (7%). They provide parts and service, which is a big plus in my book. They carry only Hustler ZTRs.

What's a reasonable starting point for getting him to move off list? 20%? 10%? Something else? We haven't discussed price yet and I don't want to insult him or contribute to his family's hunger, but I also don't want to hurt my own pocketbook, either.

Help me haggle a fair price for us both!

Thanks,
Jay

 

[sweettractors]

If he clears $500 on that deal, he will be lucky. Ken Sweet

 

[bigbull338]

heres what you do,you tell him your interested in so an so mower.an then you say give me the lowest youll take for it cash.an that way you wont be insulting him.

 

[RoMad]

Is Hustler the only brand he sells. I have a Gravely commercial grade and really like it. I just heard an ad on the radio for a 54" Gravely with 23HP Kawasaki for 3995. I am pretty sure it was also the commercial grade.
Anyway, back to your question; you can google the mower you like and get some ideas on what others are selling them for.
I don't think you will hurt the guys feelings, or family food supply, if you offer him 10% less. Of course he will tell you it is a great mower and you will love the support and he can't do it.
For me, that is when I say thanks a lot and then leave my number and tell them if they can figure out how to meet my offer to give me a call.
Most of them, in my opinion, don't want you to leave and will tell you the best they can or will do right then.

 

[jcliburn]

If he clears $500 on that deal, he will be lucky. Ken Sweet

Do you say that because you have access to the invoice price for this unit, or is it more a general educated assessment based upon your experience in the business?

 

[bigbull338]

he is saying that because on certain things there isnt that much markup on them.

 

[Western]

Is Hustler the only brand he sells. I have a Gravely commercial grade and really like it. I just heard an ad on the radio for a 54" Gravely with 23HP Kawasaki for 3995. I am pretty sure it was also the commercial grade.
Anyway, back to your question; you can google the mower you like and get some ideas on what others are selling them for.
I don't think you will hurt the guys feelings, or family food supply, if you offer him 10% less. Of course he will tell you it is a great mower and you will love the support and he can't do it.
For me, that is when I say thanks a lot and then leave my number and tell them if they can figure out how to meet my offer to give me a call.
Most of them, in my opinion, don't want you to leave and will tell you the best they can or will do right then.

x's2
That's what I usually do, put the ball in their court. It is your money so keep it till you like the deal. Let the dealer decide how much he wants to make versus get your business. In the mean time shop around, you may have to spend a few hrs and $100 bucks to save a few.

I wouldn't worry about "hurting" his feelings, it's business for you and him. I guarantee you he has heard it all, so stick to your plan.

 

[RobertBrown]

x's2

I wouldn't worry about "hurting" his feelings, it's business for you and him. I guarantee you he has heard it all, so stick to your plan.

This is correct, you have it, and he wants it. Not the other way around. it's a buyers market.

 

[taborekle]

I'd try to find this exact model with pricing at a different location (or many locations and prices). Google it. Make some phone calls. Once you have a good idea of what the lowest price is, then take the dealer the lowest price and split the difference with him between the lowest price and his price. That to me seems very reasonable.

I hate to haggle as well.

I didn't haggle at all with my current tractor. The dealer gave me their standard discount for their tractors. I selected a model. He didn't have it on the lot, so offered me one model higher (which he did have in stock) with the std discount and half off the difference between the two. I took it. No muss or fuss and no haggling.

Now 2 years later, the tractors making a noise. I had them pick it up and drop it off (twice) and they eventually identified the noise as a alignment issue with a PTO shaft. The dealer fixed it. The dealer could have stuck me with the bill, but since I have a good relationship with them, he didn't. Sometimes, scrapping off that last dime on the deal doesn't pay off in the long run.

 

[TripleR]

I quit haggling in April of 1992 when I walked out on a deal on a new pickup truck and told them what to do with my down payment and it was not pretty. The sales manager caught up to me as I was leaving and offered me a really good deal. I took it, but never bought another vehicle there. I don't play games.

Now I only deal with two people, one for cars/trucks and one for tractors. I told them when I met them I don't haggle or play games, give me your best possible price and I will either take it or leave and DO NOT come up with a counter offer as I won't take it, so don't bother calling me.

I get a reasonable discount and great service dealing locally and if I pay a few extra bucks it is worth it for the extras I get on service, support and so on. My dealer will send a mechanic down for something simple and has dropped parts off for me when they were going to have someone in the area.

Some people love haggling, I hate it.