IS IT REALLY WORTH IT?

[tennesseemike]

Well guys I will not answer all the posts individually but will try to comment on all through one post. First of all I have to say I was quite taken back by most of the responses. Let me say if my question sounded fllipant or arrogant in any way let me apologize, that was certainly not the way that I meant it. I got the impression that some of you may have taken it that way.
Secondly let me say that I must be in a totally different market area than you guys, because with all of the tractors that I have sold I have never gotten list price, never have even asked for it. My market area is very competitive.
Thirdly if you owned a tractor that costs say 20,000 what would be a fair profit on that tractor keeping in mind over head expenses and so forth?
Fourth, Mark if you were talking about dealers in your area then only you would know that..but to say words like "most dealers, or the "average dealer" and talking as a whole then your statement would be very unfair. I have the opportunity to meet with dealers all across the United States about twice a year, and I have to honestly say that more than half probably more like 75% of those guys really know their stuff..
My intention was not to stir up a hornets nest, I was simply curious. I can only speak for the dealership that I work for.. and do not personally know any of those things to happen where I am.. It sounds like you guys have had some horrible experiences.... I suppose the norm to me is to be above average in my career..
I think when you expect the best, and shoot for the best anything else would be unexceptable. In my area I can not afford to be flippant or arrogant or even ignorant about my products..
So again I did not realize there were so many sub par dealers out there... And I apoligize for any misunderstandings.... ..... by the way guys as far as kubota's not seeing much shop time I hate to say this but this year for us has been a busy year for service and warranty work with N.H. and Kub.

 

[MChalkley]

Tennesseemike - I most certainly did not take the slightest offense at what you said, and I hope you didn't find my remarks too harsh. What I was trying to say is that my standards are pretty high, and I'd gladly use a dealer who was nowhere near my home. Maybe it is a regional thing, but I still say that, by far, most of the dealers I've encountered know less about tractors in general than most of the frequent contributors to this board. I feel quite fortunate that I have one I really like and respect nearby.

Mark

 

[gordon]

Mike I'm in the process of buying a new Kubota and what dealer am I going to---my local one. Why because he is a straight shooter and will deal in price as well when needed. When I call the dealership they know my voice and say hello Gordon. But the bottom line is that they are a honest bunch and the owner is a very smart business man.

The price Im getting on my new tractor is better than any internet price after it was all said and done. But there were a few gliches in the deal but I was dealing with the owner not a salesman. After that was all said and done it worked out to my favor. He shows what the cost is and is very open but anything we discuss stays there and goes no further. But that what trust is isn't it. He also knows that I want the best deal on a tractor and that I'm a long term customer who will buy again in parts and service--so what is the best thing for him to do make me happy and he has done that which is very difficult to do!!

At the dealership I work for we set very high standards so in dealing with any other dealership I expect the same!!! Honesty is the best,do what you say at a fair price and you will have no worries.
Gordon

 

[stvman]

tennesseemike,

I apologize if I am one of the persons you are referring to I meant no malace towards you, infact most of the dealers I have had favorable conversations with have been in your area..The northeast is another story many of the dealers here (I have talked to at least 30) with only three favorable experiences, but still very high prices. In responce to your fair profit I feel 2000.00 on 20,000.00 is more than fair, some may disagree but in my area I would guess it to be 4-6k which to me is gouging..

 

[Richard]

TennesseeMike,

As I have been talking to some dealers locally and via internet, (if this isn't inappropriate) do you happen to work on Inskip road or possibly Hwy 11/Congress Ave?

Richard

 

[dullpain]

Gordon - Like your response, am in the same boat. Looking for a good dealer and fair price on M5800. Please identify your dealer. I live in Middle Tennessee. Have asked on this forum for reputable dealers you can talk to, but have found only Memphis (250 mi.) or Carver (350 mi.) Any help & thanks

 

[W5FL]

If that was an M6800, I just went through that a few months ago.

 

[jgh]

8/16

I'll toss my 2 cents (or more like $170) into this fire: in dealing with my no go power shuttle, the NH SMgr reminded me that I would have to pay the travel time TO & FROM if they have to come to me. That is 4 hours minimum (230 mi round trip).

In buying, I had much closer dealers to choose from (both 70 mi RT), one who was serveral thou higher (10-15%) /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif and one who said "I don't have time to look for what you want" /w3tcompact/icons/mad.gif/w3tcompact/icons/mad.gif, so I shopped farther afield. I did buy most of my impls from another one 150 mi RT, so I may wind up having them service it if it comes to that.

Fair warning. And Wen, I know you are an Engr and have the same self-sufficiency wish that I do /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif, but what about the special electronic instruments modern tractors require? Aren't there some things only the dealer can do for those of us with freaky bad luck?

There is a risk to dealing out of town. How lucky do you feel /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif ?

I will say I was disturbed when the smgr was not familiar with the calibration meter the owner's manual refers to. More disturbing--he made several statements about how new these tractors were, when in fact they have been out for over 3 years. Tennessee Mike, how much does your service dept know about TN90F's? Haven't they been out a while? Sorry, drifting off topic...

J

 

[W5FL]

Yeah, Electronics is my field of study, but tractors have pretty simple electronics, no matter how sophisticated the marketing people try to make it sound. We have about the same class of tractors, but I chose Kubota and you chose NH and we both had good reasons.

The most complex piece of electronic equipment that I see on an M6800 Kubota is..........didn't find any. Just found.

1) Fuses
2) Alternator (or is it)
3) Safety switches
4) Fuel and temp gauge
5) Lights, switch and a flasher
6) Key switch
7) Starter
8) Fuel cutoff relay (and mechanical over-ride cable)

Nope, mine is pretty straight forward and nearly all mechanical stuff that is quite well designed, and pretty basic. Fair amount of mechanical complexity in the fully synchronized tranny, dash mounted sync/shuttle and 4WD system is very well done. Single Dry Clutch and wet hydraulic PTO clutch and lever controlled external hydraulics valves. Really nice low emmission 4 cylinder very efficient diesel engine, but again pretty straighforward. Cooling system is pretty standard and well protected from clogging up. My tach/hour meter is mechanical. Plenty of hydraulics and all pretty straightforward including excellent power steering, but it is the hydraulics (with loader and 3 point) that make modern tractors the work horses that they are. Even the excellent seat is all mechanical.

Good Shop Manual and Parts Manual as well as excellent Owners manual for those that need to know that the drain plug for the engine is located on both sides of the oil pan, etc.

Looks to me like most of this breed of tractors (at least the Ag tractors) were made to deliver to the farm and they would stay there forever and never set foot in the dealers shop ever again. They appear to be designed where people have to maintain and repair their own equipment to keep things running and looks to me like they have done an excellent job of doing that.

It is nice to have a local dealer. That way you don't have to go far to set down and shoot the breeze. He is up on every model and the service department is spotless. They don't work on other models and don't seem to have much to do except new vehicle make readies.

 

[gordon]

Good post!
It's a shame that they at least would only charge half for milage because the problem could have stemed from the dealership to begin with on your other post.

I'm lucky to have a pretty decent dealer local to me after reading your post it really hits home about getting at the time the---best deal---.
Gordon