Very disturbing news from AGCO

[DMF]

I received a letter from Agco this weekend that my local dealer will no longer be an Agco dealer. The letter went on to refer me to another dealer whom I have never had any good dealings with. I went to the Massey site to see the distance the new dealer would be from me and it stated 27 miles. I knew this could not be correct so I mapquested my old dealer and the new dealer. It was 21 miles (30 minutes) to the old dealer and 36 miles (1 hour, 10 minutes) to the new dealer!

This absolutely stinks. I called my old dealer and they were as upset as I was. They received notification that Agco would no longer use them as a dealer; no negotiations or anything. They have been a Massey dealer for 55 years. They have always treated me right. I feel betrayed by Agco; I bought Massey tractors mainly for the good service and closeness of the dealer. I have New Holland, Kubota, and Mahindra dealerships closer to me now than any Agco dealer....

 

[slowzuki]

They are closing a lot of dealers and streamlining their brands right now. They are dumping 5/6 names that they sell under. There are a lot of dealers going away due to this too.

My dealer is about 90 km (55 mi) from my house so I know the pain. If they close the next closest is 180 km (110 mi) away.

 

[beenthere]

Change is not any fun, many of the times.

AGCO prolly is feeling the pinch of sales. It will get worse, when the new taxes kick in.

 

[MFRED]

Why does it take an extra 40 min to drive 15 miles? I know it's not the point, just wondering.

 

[DMF]

Why does it take an extra 40 min to drive 15 miles? I know it's not the point, just wondering.

You ever hear the Maine saying "Ya can't get there from here"? Well, my old dealer is right off of route 9 which I take one back road to get to. The new dealer is all back roads...

 

[Gator6x4]

I have a couple of friends that own tractor dealerships. One green and one orange. Both report 2009 sales were way down from previous years. Employees were furloughed. One friend sold his green dealership and is now doing a lot of fishing. The high unemployment rate 10-12 percent and not knowing from one week to the next if you will have a job has impacted the automotive business as well as the tractor business. No one is willing to assume a large amount of debt with the economy as unsettled as it is. So in my opinion look for more tractor dealerships to close in 2010 than in 2009. As my friend said every one has to have a place to sleep at night and an automobile to get to and from work, they do not need a tractor unless they are farmers. The farm market is shrinking each year and when the economy is bad farmers do not buy, they make do.

 

[slowzuki]

Tractors still break down every day but when things are slow many will let repairs slide or use other equipment until they have the money to fix.

 

[mrpoppy58]

Dmf,
I have a Mahindra with 952 hours on it. Mahindra has a number we can call and they are very helpful with advice if you have a problem. My Tractor is a very good Machine. I am a retired Heavy Equipment Operator. Pound for pound this one of the best Machines I have run.
Poppy

 

[northwoodpower]

DMF,

If you are in a bind and need repairs, we are close enough to pick up your tractor and fix it for you. Parts orderded from us off our web page are shipped with out a shipping charge. I know it is better to go to the dealership and see what is available, but we can help you out for now, if needed.

We had our best year yet in 2009, and opened a new store in Claremont, NH, hopefully other dealers will sell more this year, and have more repair work.

 

[DMF]

Thanks for the help Rick. I will add your webpage to my favorites.