Dealer What is up with Dealers?

[HODAK]

Insterad of "What is up with Dealers?", how about "What is up with this dealer"?. A return call should be made by them. They can give a list price and then tell you to stop in to discuss or at least say that they don't give out prices over the phone. I guess it depends on how much they need the business. A salesman should always consider someone who shows interest as a possible sale, no matter what the product - that's their job. Two calls and no reply?? Move on........ My.02

 

[Agro-oti]

If you have to call a dealer twice with still no answer I would be moving on down to the next dealer. That is not acceptable in my book. If they don't return your call on a sales ticket there sure won't call you when you need service.

murph

Can you truthfully tell me you've never in your life neglected to return a call or two? Kinda harsh on the dealer are you not?

 

[TomKioti]

Let me be more direct with my point.

You are not going to get anything concrete done with most dealers over the phone, especially on pricing. Most are reluctant to give good quotes in that manner. Get off the couch, turn off the computer and actually make an effort. Do you cold call NEW CAR dealerships and get anywhere on price? I don't think so. You need to see what your buying/pricing and interact with these guys/gals. Most are (not all mind you) good folks that genuinely like to help people. You gotta get off your can and do the work if you truly want a great deal. And if you shop and read these boards you will accomplish just that.
It's all here for you but you gotta work it.

I hope I didn't come off harsh as that was not my intention. Good luck in your dealer search!

Tom

 

[Bedlam]

Well, when dealers get big they forget who the customer was. My dealer sold out, but the new sales people I assume didnt take me seriously. I visited and they gave me prices. I emailed pics of my trade in, they didnt call, they didnt email
I called called again, emailed, and finally went in.. the guy wasnt there. I left a message no responce. that was a year ago now..
I moved on found a dealer 60 miles away and he would tell me the trade right over the phone.. and did some email too.So you never know some really get out there and want to sell others dont. same as any other sales thing. Do what you gotta do...
Al

 

[thcri]

Can you truthfully tell me you've never in your life neglected to return a call or two? Kinda harsh on the dealer are you not?

Nope, not being harsh on the dealer, I would be just moving on to someone else. If you want to mess around with no return calls go ahead, that is your business. If your a dealer yourself then I would hope you don't run your business that way. I will accept one missed call but two tells me they just don't care or I am not important to them.

murph

 

[Agro-oti]

Nope, not being harsh on the dealer, I would be just moving on to someone else. If you want to mess around with no return calls go ahead, that is your business. If your a dealer yourself then I would hope you don't run your business that way. I will accept one missed call but two tells me they just don't care or I am not important to them.

murph

Personally no,we return all calls,and go out and look at trade-ins........... But you also have to remember some of these dealers are Ag dealers first,and do business a bit different then you might be used to. Just because you felt slitghed,does not mean that is the way it was meant to be. Like every thing else in life that involves human interaction,there are two sides to every story.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Well, when dealers get big they forget who the customer was.

I disagree. I think some dealers are good and some just suck. I deal with a large AG dealer and I deal with a modest sized mom/pop dealer. Both dealers call me back. Both give me great service, always have. The big dealer ordered a tractor that I was interested in because he didn't have one on the lot. He brought it in to my specs, but I was not obligated to buy it, and he did it all over the phone before I ever stepped into the dealership. That is AMAZING service!

My guess is they may think your either not serious OR competition that's checking them out.

If you call 2 times that should indicate that you are serious. If you leave your phone number they can figure out pretty easily that you are NOT another dealer.

Insterad of "What is up with Dealers?", how about "What is up with this dealer"?

I totally agree with you. Big or small, some dealers just are not quality dealers. Your points about the follow up, or lack thereof, by "this" dealer are well placed. I've walked out of my local JD dealership TWICE because I couldn't get a sales person to talk to me, and both times I walked in with a checkbook in hand ready to buy a tractor. Some dealerships just don't get it. Period.

Can you truthfully tell me you've never in your life neglected to return a call or two? Kinda harsh on the dealer are you not?

You forgot to use the little "sarcastic" smilie after posting that. Harsh on the dealer. Heck no. The dealer doesn't call back after TWO calls and you want the guy to call him back again. Not a chance in heck that I would do that. This is the era of good service and internet shopping. There are a dozen brands out there fighting for customer's money, and dealer who can deliver the tractor at a fair price is the one who deserves the business.

I will accept one missed call but two tells me they just don't care or I am not important to them.

murph

EXACTLY

 

[kenmac]

I shop for my vehicles by phone . Sure, I go to the lot when they are closed to see what I want. Then, I call on the phone and ask price. I don't have the time to go dealer to dealer like in the old days. If I get one that doesn't call me back,I mark them off the list.If that tractor dealer won't call you back then, it's his / her loss. Move on to the next.

 

[TomKioti]

C' mon Guys,

You mean a competing dealer wouldn't use covert means to price check his competition? Get real. Happens every day. Also in my business I get tire kickers all day long on the phone. Out of 40 to 60 calls a week mabye one will actually show up and write a contract and that's after pouring sugar all over 'em. I sell commercial retail space and not tractors, but my point IS... these guys do not have the time and energy to return EVERY quote call they get right away. That's all I'm saying. The people that actually show up are always going to be the priority, until you form a relationship with the dealer and salesperson. Why is that so hard for you guys to understand?

Here's a thought... Mabye the salesperson is actually out in the yard making a sale with a customer that showed up and doesn't have time to return all his calls.... ya think? Don't be so dismissive of the dealer.
Talk to them face to face and if He or She is really a jerk, then let them know on the spot and walk away. More times than not they'll be glad to help you. I've expierienced both types and the good guys are way ahead of the bad in my region. Only had one bad salesman recently, but he did give me a good price. See Bizzare Dealeship Exp. in the John Deere Buying & Pricing section.

I think I'm up to .06 cents now and lucky for you all I'm running out of change.

 

[Hard]

Can you truthfully tell me you've never in your life neglected to return a call or two? Kinda harsh on the dealer are you not?

Any good salesman will at least respond with a phone call minimally to thank the prospect for calling and showing interest in his product. The sales pro at that point should try to set an appointment for the prospect to test the product. If the prospect insists on a price over the phone then give the prospect a competitive price. There is not a tractor salesman in the country so busy that he cannot return phone calls from prospective buyers at the end of the day especially if they are paid partially or in total on commission.

There is no excuse what so ever for a salesman not return a potential sales call. That's what he is there for.