Re: Why don\'t Manufacturers post pricing like JD?
I was taught the “invisible hand” would remove crap from a free market. Problem is, too much crap stays around too long, and too much profit is made, and too many customers are burned, pending customer experience and the word getting out.
Manufacturers have all the incentive in the world to make sure apples and oranges are always compared. They do this under the guise of “product innovation.” Further, the burden is shifted to consumers to do excellent research because shifting the burden to consumers is cheaper than having to produce the best quality for the best price with the best service and support.
There are so many confused consumers who toss up their hands and go with the prettiest product, the nicest guy, or the slickest salesmen, that even the worst manufacturers can continue to stay in business.
Pricing is part of the confusion. “Today only . . .blah, blah, blah.”
The only anti-trust issues involve price fixing and monopoly. There is nothing preventing the publication of prices to consumers. It’s the behind-the-scenes setting of prices between different manufacturers that is suspect. But, why do that and risk violating the law when doing the ****-opposite is just as effective? No need to agree to fix prices when you can agree to keep the public confused. That way, the consumer pie is divided up amongst the best liars and there is no need to waste money improving the product.
The longer you can keep the consumers confused, the longer it takes for the word to get out that you are crap. When it finally does get out, if ever, you fire all those employees, change the corporate name, or make a killing in the liquidation of your assets to those who remain, and then glide peacefully down on your golden parachute.
If you can only make a product that breaks the day after the warranty lapses, then you have the best engineers.
Do I sound cynical? LOL!
Anyway, I’m looking at a net 35 HP-range tractor (45 HP if there’s a non-turbo 20% loss at my elevation of 6,300 feet) for a Grouser Belly Blade. I’m looking at Case, New Holland, Challenger, John Deere and Kubota to level RV park and campground roads and sites.
Please tell me what you think and fire for effect, over.
