Dealer Local Dealer for Support or Out of State for Price

[Ursushorribilus]

O.K. I've chosen the L48. Now, I've been to several local dealers and got them to roughly the same price - and today I found out that a deaer from several states away will give me the tractor and many thousands of dollars worth of attachments for the price the local guys want for the tractor alone.

Financially, it's a no-brainer, but I'm concerned about getting service from the local dealers as I need it. Now I'm just going to automatically assume that they'll discriminate against me on warranty issues, but how about parts and repairs that I'll pay cash for?

If it was a few hundred bucks I wouldn't care, but we're talking many thousands of dollars here! What would you do?

 

[KennyV]

Well … like they say, everyone has to make a living… fortunately this also applies to you.
With that much of a difference, I would check with locals to see if they can come close or if they are not interested in trying. This way they get a chance to make a sale and they can also see what the competition is doing, and before someone points out that they are keeping up with the local competition… I would like to point out that local is not necessarily in ‘my home town anymore’, It’s 2004 most everyone shops everything to death. That’s one advantage to the internet, telephone, and interstate hi ways… As a consumer you have to shop.

If you have a local dealer that you favor, for any reason, give him a shot at the sale. Ask him directly if you can count on him for service and support if you are forced to buy out of state. With that much price spread you have to be practical… Don’t know where you are located so I don’t know if you have sales tax on your local purchase… out of state no sales tax, also something to consider.

You will need parts and supplies… BUT anyone that knows today’s market will be glad to supply you with your needs. Anyone that won’t will not survive in this marketplace.

There are MANY choices where you can spend your money today. There was a time buying outside your region was heavily frowned upon, I don’t see that anymore. Things are not as simple as that any more. Shop wisely and remember, fortunately saving money on a large purchase also applies to your making a living. In any case enjoy your new tractor /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif.

This is a long reply ...but I'm getting paid by the word /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif.KennyV.

 

[DannyD]

I assume you are pricing out the implements you really want or need. Make sure they are exactly what you expect, a trip to the dealer to actually see them would be beneficial, and not some photo in the book. I dont buy implements from my dealer and he knows that I can beat his pricing anyday. He also knows that I paid more from him for the tractor, than I could have gotten a little closer to home, but he IS a farmer also, knows the needs, knows how to treat people, and I feel good about his business.

Service, that is why I have an 18 foot trailer, I take it 75 miles to him. The local guy treated me like a red headed step child when I asked him about doing 50 hour service on my previous tractor. I dont even bother him now.

On the savings thing, I paid 800.00 more, and the above mentioned dealer was about 900.00 over what I did pay. I am happy with my dealer being 75 miles away, not a bother to me. On my second tractor, neither got a smell of a chance, went back to the farmer.

 

[MadReferee]

You might have warranty issues from a local dealer but I understand that Kubota allows warranties to be transferred from the selling dealer to another dealer.

Now legally I think any Kubota dealer has to honor warranty repairs but they may put you off until they "have the time". Regular repairs might get done sooner since you are paying.

Parts should be no problem. My local dealer is large. The parts guys could care less who I am as long as I pay. Ordered parts arrive in a few days. No problem.

As always, your mileage may vary.

 

[Jim_Becker]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Don’t know where you are located so I don’t know if you have sales tax on your local purchase… out of state no sales tax, also something to consider. )</font>

Not really true. You may not be "charged" sales tax if your machine is shipped in from out of state, but you may be obligated legally to remitt it to your own jurisdiction. Many folks get way with not paying, but that's not necessarily assured, depending on where you live, etc.

 

[lowdownbooty]

</font><font color="blueclass=small">( O.K. I've chosen the L48. Now, I've been to several local dealers and got them to roughly the same price - and today I found out that a deaer from several states away will give me the tractor and many thousands of dollars worth of attachments for the price the local guys want for the tractor alone.

Financially, it's a no-brainer, but I'm concerned about getting service from the local dealers as I need it. Now I'm just going to automatically assume that they'll discriminate against me on warranty issues, but how about parts and repairs that I'll pay cash for?

If it was a few hundred bucks I wouldn't care, but we're talking many thousands of dollars here! What would you do? )</font>

The dealer who has the discounted L48 is most likely selling a "non spill guard model". All the current year model L48's are L48sg's. The older L48 should be $1800 to $2000 less if all things are equal... but they are NOT. That tractor is at least a year old probably has faded wheels, rusty bolts, & cracked or faded rubber.

Now, put those two tractors next to each other on the lot. What would it take to get you to purchase the one thats crusty and with out spill guard?

Also, if you have visited your local dealer (not on the phone) then you atleast owe them a shot at your new low price.

If you go out of state for a machine that was quoted over the phone without giving your local dealer a shot then they may not feel like they owe you much. If they are concerned about keeping their customers happy then they will put their customers first.

Get the facts from the other dealer:

How long has the tractor been on the lot?
Is it a spill guard L48?
Are there any taxes or fees that your local dealer doesn't charge. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif


BTW Kubota does not force their dealers to warranty tractors purchased else where.

Most brands do, Kubota does not.

 

[Junkman]

What is a "spill guard L48"?????????? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[aardvark]

I don't understand the "not forcing thier dealers to warranty tractors purchased elsewhere". According to thier published warranty info here, it can be warrantied anywhere:

http://www.kubota.com/h/support/warranty.pdf

The first two paragraphs on page four basically state that Kubota *prefers* the owner to warranty through the dealer they purchased from, but if that's not possible, then they can warranty at any dealer. the actual text is below:

How To Obtain Warranty Service
To obtain warranty service under the terms and conditions of the Kubota Limited Warranty, you must deliver the product to an authorized Kubota dealer, along with proof of purchase. Kubota recommends that you take your equipment to the dealer from whom it was purchased for the warranty repair. If that is inconvenient, it may be taken to any authorized Kubota dealer. However, the dealer’s own customers may have priority.

In those cases in which it is inconvenient to deliver the equipment to the dealer, the warranty repairs may be made by the dealer at the customer’s location. However, please note that the dealer may charge for either pickup & delivery, or for travel time and mileage. These charges are not covered under the Kubota Limited Warranty but are the customer’s responsibility.

What's above is almost verbatim what my dealer told me, when I bought my BX23 from my local dealer. I had asked because I also own a rental property in Atlanta, and should I ever take the machine to Atlanta and need warranty repair (I realize this is a real long shot here), I'm covered.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( What is a "spill guard L48"?????????? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif )</font>


All of them in the last year or so have some form of self leveling, the first ones did not. Larry, yours has mechanical self leveling. You can see that by the linkage that runs just under the boom to the base of the loader valve. There is also a more expensive hydraulic self leveling. Its about $2k more money and it accomplishes the self leveling without the added linkage, its operation is also a bit more smooth. I've actually not used that one, we have always ordered the mechanical and been happy with it.

 

[Junkman]

Does the hydraulic spill guard level on the way down also. I used a L48 that had it on the way up only and that tractor is about 3 or 4 years old. I didn't notice if it worked both ways on Larry's tractor... I was too busy trying to keep my rear in the seat, so the tractor wouldn't shut down. That seat kill switch is a pain to deal with.