Pricing X739 with incentives.

[Eric102]

Considering a new 2014 X739 with a deck, power flow bagging system and a few other goodies and know how to come up with the retail price on the JD site. I have often read in these forums that you can hope for and maybe expect 10 to 15% off those prices from the dealer, but what happens when Deere has their incentives such as the recent $400 cash back with 60 month 0% financing? Does the dealer have to absorb some of those incentives and thus reduce the percent off they might have given you without any incentives? Or would the percent off be the same and Deere would throw in $400 and the financing?

 

[CinderSchnauzer]

I can't find the paper with my specific numbers for verification, however, here is the best of my recollection. I had taken a few looks at an X739 in spring of 2013, but didn't really follow up then. For the next few months I tried to find a (cheap - almost new) X748 with no luck. The "cheap" ones were crap and the good ones were almost as much as new, aside from the fact they were not making any more new ones. Long story short, decided to go with X739 - wife does not like diesel smell, but like to drive the garden tractor. By this time it was only a couple of days from end of the promotion, so did not have much time or leverage to haggle a lot. Bottom line was discount in 12% - 12.5% plus the 60 months 0%.

I had looked up pricing in the "build your own" so had MSRP. Far as I can tell the store I deal with does not openly charge setup, delivery, documentation fees. If the do they are hidden and or included in their final price. For my own calculations and initial offer I took about 15% off MSRP add sales tax and made an offer rounded off to nearest $100. He came back that he needed another $400 or $500 and then we agreed this $$$ was tax included. Final agreed price resulted in the approx 12% - 12.5% off MSRP and included fully prepped and delivered to my door.

My initial goal was to pay $200/month for 60 and adjust the down payment in relation to the final agreed price. Compared to paying cash or whatever for a used x748 with no 0%. Losing a slight % discount is fully offset by having 60 months 0%.

 

[Eric102]

Thanks for the info, looks like you got a great deal! Haven't actually seen a X739 yet but it sure looks like it would meet my needs. How do like the HC deck and auto connect? Are there any anti scalp rollers at the center of the deck edges or just the 4 on the outside corners?

 

[CinderSchnauzer]

My Craftsman had a 54" deck and this time I went with the 60" HC with Auto Connect. I believe the 60" will minimize the uncut circle and where I plan to use the x739, scalping should not be a concern. The additional cost for Auto Connect is so minimal, compared to to total cost, it was not worth passing up. It was delivered end of October all clean and shiny and I actually did the last grass trim with the old lawn tractor because the day was a bit wet and dirty and I didn't feel like re-cleaning the new one. Just drove the x739 around the driveway a couple of times before snow and tested driving up the one hill I have. Very impressed with traction / power on the hill. Best I recall, no center rollers - just four corners.

 

[Eric102]

Just sent in a "build your own" price quote request for the X739 with a total retail price of $14,785.

Tractor was $11,549, 54HC deck with auto connect was $1,947 and the powerflow 2 bag collection system was $1,289.

Will see what their first offer is.

 

[markedman1132]

I'm awaiting delivery of my X738.

I got the 54" deck, 47" snowblower, 54" plow, electric salt spreader and an 18cu ft steel utility cart plus all the chains, weights, brackets along with a few other cosmetic items like the brush guard and front fenders. I did not get a bagger system. Price paid for all was $18120. Discount was $2716.00. Setup fees were about $350 so the true discount was about $2350. The discount after backing out the setup fees was about 11%. So based on other experiences you should be able to get 10-12% off the retail price. That price included the $500 rebate they were offering. I also got the 0% for 60 month financing.

When you start adding any front or rear PTO items it will drive up the price with the 3 pt hitch, rear PTO, quick connect front and hydraulic lifts.

 

[Eric102]

I'm awaiting delivery of my X738.

I got the 54" deck, 47" snowblower, 54" plow, electric salt spreader and an 18cu ft steel utility cart plus all the chains, weights, brackets along with a few other cosmetic items like the brush guard and front fenders. I did not get a bagger system. Price paid for all was $18120. Discount was $2716.00. Setup fees were about $350 so the true discount was about $2350. The discount after backing out the setup fees was about 11%. So based on other experiences you should be able to get 10-12% off the retail price. That price included the $500 rebate they were offering. I also got the 0% for 60 month financing.

When you start adding any front or rear PTO items it will drive up the price with the 3 pt hitch, rear PTO, quick connect front and hydraulic lifts.

I'm glad that I already have a compact tractor and that the 739 will only have to cut grass, those PTO and hitch options were very expensive.

 

[Eric102]

Hmm, its been a week and half since I requested a quote through the John Deere "build your" own site and nothing from any of my local dealers (who are all part of one company). I can understand they might be busy this time of the year but you would think I would have received a phone call or e-mail acknowledging my request or asking for more info or just to verify I'm not wasting their time.

A few business days after I sent in the request John Deere sent me an e-mail asking if I'd received the quote yet. I answered no and choose an option where they would pursue it with the dealer again, still nothing after a week. I guess they are doing so good on walk in sales this year they don't need to bother with the build your own requests.

I remember when I bought my 3320 I had a quote the day after sending it in.

Will pursue why I didn't get anything the next time I'm in buying parts but probably won't be buying a new mower from them this year, or ever.

 

[murphy1244]

I guess they don't care about selling a Lawn Tractor.

 

[tractorslinger]

Hmm, its been a week and half since I requested a quote through the John Deere "build your" own site and nothing from any of my local dealers (who are all part of one company). I can understand they might be busy this time of the year but you would think I would have received a phone call or e-mail acknowledging my request or asking for more info or just to verify I'm not wasting their time.

A few business days after I sent in the request John Deere sent me an e-mail asking if I'd received the quote yet. I answered no and choose an option where they would pursue it with the dealer again, still nothing after a week. I guess they are doing so good on walk in sales this year they don't need to bother with the build your own requests.

I remember when I bought my 3320 I had a quote the day after sending it in.

Will pursue why I didn't get anything the next time I'm in buying parts but probably won't be buying a new mower from them this year, or ever.

Dealer in Indiana. I ship tractors across the US. More than happy to get you a quote asap. PM me your request with details. Thanks

 

[Eric102]

Dealer in Indiana. I ship tractors across the US. More than happy to get you a quote asap. PM me your request with details. Thanks

Thanks for the offer but I think I'll stay local, just works out better if there are any issues with new equipment.

 

[tractorslinger]

Thanks for the offer but I think I'll stay local, just works out better if there are any issues with new equipment.

Understand.

 

[Gittyup]

On the delayed quote thing. Sometimes the dealer doesn't get the info in a timely manner. Or it's messed up. Best to just go to the dealer. From memory (paperwork in the shop), I think I paid like $12,500 before tax, after discounts and $400 JD cash for an X739, 3 pt hitch, 8 suitcase weights, click n go kit and weight bracket, bypass valve, battery tender. I believe the dealer discount was around 11%. No difference between cash or finance. Some dealers claim they do give discounts for cash. Not any around here. These tractors are in a class by themselves and JD knows it. If you want one, you gotta pay. And they are worth every penny

One more piece of advice: if you get the 3pt hitch, have the dealer install it. It is a royal pain to put on. But I do highly recommend the hitch. Opens up so many options to you. I just purchased tractor at christmas. I've since added 3pt implements: omnihitch receiver with weight rack and tool basket, 48" core aerator, 50" thatcher, 40 gallon -10' boom electric sprayer. And today I purchased a 5' spreader tow behind that can be converted to 3PT. For the past 19 years I've used a 425 AWS that I love dearly. But, have always regretted not getting a 3PH for it. Now that the hitch is CAT1, it's even more useful.

 

[Eric102]

On the delayed quote thing. Sometimes the dealer doesn't get the info in a timely manner. Or it's messed up. Best to just go to the dealer. From memory (paperwork in the shop), I think I paid like $12,500 before tax, after discounts and $400 JD cash for an X739, 3 pt hitch, 8 suitcase weights, click n go kit and weight bracket, bypass valve, battery tender. I believe the dealer discount was around 11%. No difference between cash or finance. Some dealers claim they do give discounts for cash. Not any around here. These tractors are in a class by themselves and JD knows it. If you want one, you gotta pay. And they are worth every penny

One more piece of advice: if you get the 3pt hitch, have the dealer install it. It is a royal pain to put on. But I do highly recommend the hitch. Opens up so many options to you. I just purchased tractor at christmas. I've since added 3pt implements: omnihitch receiver with weight rack and tool basket, 48" core aerator, 50" thatcher, 40 gallon -10' boom electric sprayer. And today I purchased a 5' spreader tow behind that can be converted to 3PT. For the past 19 years I've used a 425 AWS that I love dearly. But, have always regretted not getting a 3PH for it. Now that the hitch is CAT1, it's even more useful.

Good point on the 3pt hitch, I'm sure I good find lots of uses for it. I wonder if it would conflict with the hopper/bagger collection system that attaches to the click and go bracket? I would assume the 3 pt. arms and upper link would be easy to remove just like a compact tractor? Or are you saying those are difficult to remove/install.

 

[markedman1132]

I would also agree to go into the dealer. My guess would be they get lots of people window shopping on the internet since it doesn't require getting out of a chair If you go into the dealer they probably feel you are more serious about the purchase.

My X738 gets delivered next week and I have been at the dealer 4 times getting all the details worked out.

 

[Gittyup]

The 3ph arms and toplink remove very easily. And you can leave the click-n-go bracket on with the 3PH. Just remove the arms and toplink and the CnG can be used without reservation. The hard part about installing the 3PH is that JD decided to leave off the rock shaft as standard install. I'm guessing to save a few dollars. The rock shaft is included with the hitch. By itself, the rockshaft is no big deal to install. But first you have to remove the cylinder, replumb it, add a long lift arm, etc. All underneath in very tight spaces with little room to turn a wrench. Took me several hours to install, all the while cussing and swearing and exhausted from turning wrenches 1/8 turn at a time. And you need ring nose pliers to install the retaining rings on the rock shaft. I don't own a pair and was able to manage with a very small pair of right angle needle nose pliers that I had on hand. Not particularly safe though.

Good point on the 3pt hitch, I'm sure I good find lots of uses for it. I wonder if it would conflict with the hopper/bagger collection system that attaches to the click and go bracket? I would assume the 3 pt. arms and upper link would be easy to remove just like a compact tractor? Or are you saying those are difficult to remove/install.

 

[Eric102]

Yeah going into the dealer to finalize the options and price was always the plan but I guess I'm just baffled why they wouldn't bother sending an existing customer with a history of purchasing equipment and parts that's already in there data system a simple quote that probably would only take about 20 minutes to calculate and send. Supposedly Deere sent them the request at least twice if not 3 times.

 

[Eric102]

The 3ph arms and toplink remove very easily. And you can leave the click-n-go bracket on with the 3PH. Just remove the arms and toplink and the CnG can be used without reservation. The hard part about installing the 3PH is that JD decided to leave off the rock shaft as standard install. I'm guessing to save a few dollars. The rock shaft is included with the hitch. By itself, the rockshaft is no big deal to install. But first you have to remove the cylinder, replumb it, add a long lift arm, etc. All underneath in very tight spaces with little room to turn a wrench. Took me several hours to install, all the while cussing and swearing and exhausted from turning wrenches 1/8 turn at a time. And you need ring nose pliers to install the retaining rings on the rock shaft. I don't own a pair and was able to manage with a very small pair of right angle needle nose pliers that I had on hand. Not particularly safe though.

Good info, thanks!

 

[CinderSchnauzer]

Yeah going into the dealer to finalize the options and price was always the plan but I guess I'm just baffled why they wouldn't bother sending an existing customer with a history of purchasing equipment and parts that's already in there data system a simple quote that probably would only take about 20 minutes to calculate and send. Supposedly Deere sent them the request at least twice if not 3 times.

Why not come at it from the opposite direction. Between the "build your own" and whatever info you send to JD for a quote, you must have a fairly good idea of what you want and MSRP. Chances are they won't give you their rock bottom price in the quote anyway.

Send them an email to the Sales Manager (unless you have someone you always deal with), list what you want, take 20% off and round down to the nearest $100. Tell them you are willing to put 10% down and balance over 60 months @ 0% and you would like a response within two business days. If that does not get their attention - find another dealer.

Sometimes a store doesn't bother responding to email RFQ's because they figure it is just someone price shopping so they can take the best price to someone else.

 

[Eric102]

Well I ended up at 9 1/4% off the MSRP list price with no setup or delivery fees, probably not to bad for this time of the year and close enough for me. The 0% financing had no impact on the final price and there were no fees for it either. The dealer I bought it from is part of mega group that has all the JD dealerships throughout the state of Washington so price competition between the local dealers was nil.

The X739, 54c deck and powerflow bagging system all had to be ordered since everything has sold out of their dealerships with the spring demand. Most of it should be here within a couple weeks.