Looking at Bad Boy Tractors, thoughts?

[RickB]

Not as of late they don't. They did way back when "Grey market', but not now. The only 'rebadged units they sell now are companies they own majority share in that produce machines and they sell them under the Kubota trademark.

More Blather.

 

[crashz]

I think this thread is actually a diamond in the rough. The OP can learn a lot here.

Regardless of brand you can have problems getting parts and service. Regardless of brands you need to do some homework. Regardless of brand you can find a great dealer or a turd Go to the dealers, sit in the seats, work the controls, get the salesman's opinion. Sit on every tractor brand. Get a quote from every tractor brand. Get a feel for their service department and parts department. Make sure they quote you a 50hr service kit and ask if they have it in stock right now.

When buying my machine, I had a size and brands that I wanted. I looked at LS, Kioti, Mahindra, Kubota and John Deere. Sat on and drove all of them besides the LS (not well represented in my area). Got quotes on Kioti, Kubota, Deere. Liked the Kubota best except for the HST peddle. Dealer engagement, service department and sales staff at the Kubota dealer were really good. Others treated me like I was buying a bag of pretzels. Price was high, but ballpark. Could I have driven 1000 miles to get a cheaper price? Probably.

As it turns out, my dealer support after sales was excellent. While I've never had a warranty claim, the assembling mechanic took the time to go over the entire machine with me (at least an hour), help me load it up and chain it down and gave me a free shackle from the parts department. They have been helpful and courteous every time I go in there and I am a loyal customer. I have purchased service parts, attachment, accessories and other branded tools from them because of the excellent service, good advice, and showroom of stock. I love my L2501 and find it to be just about perfect. I shouldn't have cheap-ed out on the options though (which the sales guy warned me about).

Good Luck.

 

[Torvy]

So what I am hearing here is that some dealers are not competitive on sales prices and then try to punish the customers for buying somewhere else. This is a classic example of 'biting off your nose to spite your face'. Price your machines fairly for your market and actually provide service to customers and you will not only more easily sell additional tractors, but those customers will buy implements and non warranty service from you.

 

[plastikosmd]

I don’t begrudge a dealer for charging what the market will handle.

in respect to service, good luck in today’s market.

as I stated, my diesel mechanic, electrician, tree service etc only take existing customers

Service for something (not purchased through) my AV guy, lighting company, irrigation, water softening ( and others) does not exist.

My dodge dealer is 6mo out for warranty (scheduled yesterday) after closer dealer referred me back to purchase dealer. (I relocated 8 months ago)

Dealer supported circles are tightening and I don’t expect any changes until competition matters again

 

[IndyJay]

I don’t begrudge a dealer for charging what the market will handle.

in respect to service, good luck in today’s market.

as I stated, my diesel mechanic, electrician, tree service etc only take existing customers

Service for something (not purchased through) my AV guy, lighting company, irrigation, water softening ( and others) does not exist.

My dodge dealer is 6mo out for warranty (scheduled yesterday) after closer dealer referred me back to purchase dealer. (I relocated 8 months ago)

Dealer supported circles are tightening and I don’t expect any changes until competition matters again

Short-sighted thinking... a person that bought something somewhere else coming to you for service is an opportunity to permanently "steal" someone else's customer. Maybe the original dealer had to turn it down due to a temporary situation (EG: worker shortage due to illness). You just blew a chance to become their new dealer for all future sales and service needs. No wonder so many dealerships seem to be failing and closing shop while others thrive.

Reminds me of when we bought our furnace many years back. It became apparent that the place where we bought it had terrible service. We switched to a local shop that does HVAC, plumbing and electrical. They do an excellent job and don't turn down work. Guess who we call first for just about anything? Guess who is going to be selling and installing our new furnace in a year or two?

 

[plastikosmd]

There is no honor among thieves

As a past employer I quickly learned that succumbing to peoples demands for wage increases in hopes that they won’t leave or “matching” A competitive offer that just happen to come their way was a losing proposition.

If somebody is going to leave your company for 1$ hour or more, they are only with you for the $ to begin with. Let them leave because you will be having the same argument/wage increase discussion with them in six months, a year, 18 months etc.

(of course pay should match market demands, skill set etc, I’m just taking about the gold diggers)

It is not shortsighted to just maintain your own company base to the best of your ability

Bargain customers that you may steal by undercutting have no real loyalty to you and will go somewhere else for a cheaper rate. In my experience these are the ones to cause more headaches than benefit.

focus your efforts on the good clients, add to the portfolio until you are at capacity but still offer value and service

I’ve always been successful in all my business ventures and it worked for me, your mileage may vary

 

[IndyJay]

Bargain customers that you may steal by undercutting have no real loyalty to you and will go somewhere else for a cheaper rate.

Who said anything about undercutting? I am talking about providing service at the prevailing rate, or refusal of same because they didn't purchase from you for any number of reasons.

 

[plastikosmd]

I understand your point but it is their business.

If they are successful/thriving it will support their model.

If business climate, competition, client base (etc) changes and affects the bottom line, changes in business practices may be in order

 

[coobie]

What until the first BIG down turn in the economy happens these tractor dealers will be begging for customers for sales/service. As a consumer I always remember the dealers who tried bone me early on and they will never get my business..

 

[3gunr]

Who said anything about undercutting? I am talking about providing service at the prevailing rate, or refusal of same because they didn't purchase from you for any number of reasons.

I agree ,How many times on this site have people commented on walking into a dealership prepared to drop a load of cash and were treated like a leper, Myself included , So why would you want to buy from these guys no matter how close they are,

 

[deezler]

I understand your point but it is their business.

If they are successful/thriving it will support their model.

If business climate, competition, client base (etc) changes and affects the bottom line, changes in business practices may be in order

For sure, if they are thriving, then it's working great for them.

But we also see tractor dealers going under all the time, even when they have good brands, products and OE support. Far too often it is their own stubborn sales efforts, and personal grudges that lead to a lack of business. Then these same type of people complain and ***** about how so-and-so screwed them, you can't trust people anymore, society is crumbling, etc etc. Some business owners never want to look in the mirror and realize that their personal childish behavoir is what leads to their own demise.

 

[artf]

WoW! Just saw & read this whole thread that devolved into Dealer bashing.

There would appear to be a general, complete lack of understanding of the Dealer Business Model, particularly in understanding profitability and business impact from Unit Sales, Implement/Accessory Sales, Parts, and Services Delivery.

Each of these are completely different with different goals, rates, margins and management. Sales, Parts and Service have to each work well.

Nobody wants to say it, so I will.

Dealers LOSE money on warranty work. The OEM warranty service rate is always lower than the Dealer hourly cost.

So the Dealer gets paid below cost by the OEM, uses up perishable service tech hours, and loses the profit opportunity on those hours.

On top of this, the Dealer has to pay labor to submit warranty claims and administer all the disputes with the OEM...... more unreimbursed labor.

The Dealer exists to
1. Make a Profit.
2. Sell Units, Implements & Accessories - Build Machine Population
3. Service Units
4. Sell Parts

If #1 Goal doesn't happen. The Dealership will no longer exist.

Most Dealers can't get enough units from their OEMs.

Dealer Profits are tied to Machine Population in their market area ( I did not say contract AOR), Parts Sales & Services Delivery. In some cases, project teams are bringing machines into the dealer's market area, requiring local parts & services.

Sales, Parts & Service to Commercial Customers is different.

 

[RickB]

Dealers of some brands that meet service certifications and other dealer standards receive substantial incentives that drastically change the profitability of warranty work by increasing parts margins and labor recovery. The investments of time and dollars required to meet these certifications and standards will in many but certainly not all cases contribute to better more efficient operation of non-warranty service and parts sales.

 

[BigBlue1]

WoW! Just saw & read this whole thread that devolved into Dealer bashing.

I don't view this thread as containing "dealer bashing". Just people calling out the fact that some dealers don't see the big picture. The stuff you list shows an example of that. Owning a dealership is a comprehensive thing that must take into account all the stuff you listed, which is the raw business economic stuff, as well as the bigger picture about how their behaviors and treatment of customers and potential future customers affects their business. Yes, warranty work may not be a profit center for them, but it is a cost of doing business that they must incur, at least in some fashion, because they have committed to being a dealer. If a dealer is only looking at each element as "how much am I making" and chooses to avoid some the less profitable pieces they may well be also avoiding a bunch of future business. Totally their decision to make, but folks here are pointing out the (lack of) wisdom of it. Everything in life has to be a balance and folks who focus too tightly on the raw money aspects in the short term may pay for it long term.

 

[ovrszd]

I don't view this thread as containing "dealer bashing". Just people calling out the fact that some dealers don't see the big picture. The stuff you list shows an example of that. Owning a dealership is a comprehensive thing that must take into account all the stuff you listed, which is the raw business economic stuff, as well as the bigger picture about how their behaviors and treatment of customers and potential future customers affects their business. Yes, warranty work may not be a profit center for them, but it is a cost of doing business that they must incur, at least in some fashion, because they have committed to being a dealer. If a dealer is only looking at each element as "how much am I making" and chooses to avoid some the less profitable pieces they may well be also avoiding a bunch of future business. Totally their decision to make, but folks here are pointing out the (lack of) wisdom of it. Everything in life has to be a balance and folks who focus too tightly on the raw money aspects in the short term may pay for it long term.

In the fine State of Missouri we have "Automobile Inspections" before you can buy or renew your license plate. Only authorized establishments can perform the inspections. They pay $15. They take 30 minutes to properly complete. The establishment loses money on every inspection.

The reason it is offered is to provide a service for customers and potential customers. And it is a gateway to possible repairs on the subject vehicle or future repairs on another vehicle because the vehicle owner appreciates the service provided by the establishment.

Warranty work falls in the same category. For most brands the "authorized dealer" is contracted to do warranty work. His brand sign out front is there because of that contract and is subject to losing it by not providing the service in the contract.

How the dealer decides to handle that is completely their choice. And it's completely my choice to direct my future needs based on that decision. Merica.

 

[orezok]

Many years ago in another century, I owners a transmission shop. We advertised fluid change at a cost that barely covered the fluid filter and gasket cost and no labor cost. By losing $$ on every service we generated a substantial amount of transmission rebuilds. When we showed the customer mud and metal particles in the pan, the deal was done.

You don’t have to make money on every sale to be profitable!

 

[Williy]

GOOD DAY Y"ALL The closet dealer is John
Deere a few years ago they had a sale
small John Deere tractor with trailer and
a grass cutter price $25,000+. The next
dealer is in San Angelo one salesman
told me some info and when I called again
different sales person and he said we don't
do that. Next is Lubbock K & S Tractor sales
Mike & Scott very helpful, if you have a question
they usually know the answer if not they will get
back to you with the information and they are
approx 130+ miles from me and I highly recommend
them and have purchase items from them after
purchasing my tractor. Just Wonderful people
to deal with

willy

 

[coobie]

WoW! Just saw & read this whole thread that devolved into Dealer bashing.

There would appear to be a general, complete lack of understanding of the Dealer Business Model, particularly in understanding profitability and business impact from Unit Sales, Implement/Accessory Sales, Parts, and Services Delivery.

Each of these are completely different with different goals, rates, margins and management. Sales, Parts and Service have to each work well.

Nobody wants to say it, so I will.

Dealers LOSE money on warranty work. The OEM warranty service rate is always lower than the Dealer hourly cost.

So the Dealer gets paid below cost by the OEM, uses up perishable service tech hours, and loses the profit opportunity on those hours.

On top of this, the Dealer has to pay labor to submit warranty claims and administer all the disputes with the OEM...... more unreimbursed labor.

The Dealer exists to
1. Make a Profit.
2. Sell Units, Implements & Accessories - Build Machine Population
3. Service Units
4. Sell Parts

If #1 Goal doesn't happen. The Dealership will no longer exist.

Most Dealers can't get enough units from their OEMs.

Dealer Profits are tied to Machine Population in their market area ( I did not say contract AOR), Parts Sales & Services Delivery. In some cases, project teams are bringing machines into the dealer's market area, requiring local parts & services.

Sales, Parts & Service to Commercial Customers is different.

To funny dealer bashing.Not really some dealers want to cut a fat hog in the A$$ just for profit other dealers want to truly take care of the customer before and after the sale & build life long customers which then grows there business.

 

[RSR]

Nobody wants to say it, so I will.

Dealers LOSE money on warranty work. The OEM warranty service rate is always lower than the Dealer hourly cost.

I don't doubt that what you're saying, while maybe not universally true, is the norm, rather than the exception. Nevertheless, you're missing the point.

If you have a problem with the way a manufacturer handles warranty claims, take it up with the manufacturer. Don't take it out on your customers. That's misdirected, poor decision-making.

If your tractor were to break down in the field, you wouldn't burn your crops in response because you have been put in a tough position.

Perhaps a better metaphor would be for me to say, as an educator, "I'm not happy with my superiors/administration, so I'm going to do a really poor job as an educator in the classroom."

 

[RickB]

I don't doubt that what you're saying, while maybe not universally true, is the norm, rather than the exception. Nevertheless, you're missing the point.

If you have a problem with the way a manufacturer handles warranty claims, take it up with the manufacturer. Don't take it out on your customers. That's misdirected, poor decision-making.

If your tractor were to break down in the field, you wouldn't burn your crops in response because you have been put in a tough position.

Perhaps a better metaphor would be for me to say, as an educator, "I'm not happy with my superiors/administration, so I'm going to do a really poor job as an educator in the classroom."

This and related issues are why you see dealers remain in place while the manufacturers they represent change. I ran the service department at a dealership where one brand accounted for about a quarter of the service volume and three quarters of our headaches. Nobody at the dealership was unhappy when the boss dropped that brand. It's not always the manufacturer that terminates the dealer.