Why is it so hard to buy a tractor?

[mike69440]

I am the unshaven cash buyer in the beat up truck! I just wanted to say how happy I was to see this post. If you knew how many times I was cast to the side by a salesman who looked at me in my work clothes and my beat up worn out truck or jeep and must have thought there was no way I could afford to buy anything your head would spin!
I have a nice truck that would give a better impression but I don't drive it all the time and I shave and dress nice when I go someplace to do something nice with the wife or family but have no need to perform a show for society just so they think I have money. Besides driving that beat up truck and jeep around is costing me way less than having to pay for a nice shiny new one every few years an enables me to buy what ever else I want when I want.
However when I come to pick up my new toy I will bring my shinny truck (only because its my hauler) and a bag full of cash that wasn't wasted on things that I just don't need.

I also take pride in wearing clothes the homeless would leave in the dumpster, and driving old trucks with a big dog in my lap and not being in huge debt.

 

[k0ua]

I am the unshaven cash buyer in the beat up truck! I just wanted to say how happy I was to see this post. If you knew how many times I was cast to the side by a salesman who looked at me in my work clothes and my beat up worn out truck or jeep and must have thought there was no way I could afford to buy anything your head would spin!
I have a nice truck that would give a better impression but I don't drive it all the time and I shave and dress nice when I go someplace to do something nice with the wife or family but have no need to perform a show for society just so they think I have money. Besides driving that beat up truck and jeep around is costing me way less than having to pay for a nice shiny new one every few years an enables me to buy what ever else I want when I want.
However when I come to pick up my new toy I will bring my shinny truck (only because its my hauler) and a bag full of cash that wasn't wasted on things that I just don't need.

While I didn't know Sam Walton personally, from what I understand, he mostly went out in public in overalls and looked just like most farmers around here. From what I understand, he had quite a bit of money, what with that Wal Mart thing he had going for him.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

While I didn't know Sam Walton personally, from what I understand, he mostly went out in public in overalls and looked just like most farmers around here. From what I understand, he had quite a bit of money, what with that Wal Mart thing he had going for him.

Back in the mid 70s my dad & I sub contracted for a developer that use to be a farmer (maybe still was?) from Tennessee. This guy wore overalls & boots and a straw hat, all just about to have holes in them. (just warn out) Drove an old beat up 1963 Chevy pick up. I saw him often at the local swap meet (flea market) You NEVER would have figured him to be worth 10s of millions of $$$. (remember back in the 1970s) Lots of $$$ back then. This guy was one of the nicest wealthy people that I have ever met to this day.

 

[JDL538]

Go to a GOOD Kioti dealer pick out the tractor you like...Go to the sales person, best to deal with the owner...Tell him you are a cash buyer and you want to know what the best price he can give you on a sale today...Kioti is a great tractor you won't regret it..Make sure it's a good deal 1st.

 

[JDL538]

Back in the mid 70s my dad & I sub contracted for a developer that use to be a farmer (maybe still was?) from Tennessee. This guy wore overalls & boots and a straw hat, all just about to have holes in them. (just warn out) Drove an old beat up 1963 Chevy pick up. I saw him often at the local swap meet (flea market) You NEVER would have figured him to be worth 10s of millions of $$$. (remember back in the 1970s) Lots of $$$ back then. This guy was one of the nicest wealthy people that I have ever met to this day.

Back in the 80s Me and my Wife went to Bob Evans for breakfast in Cincinnati..My wife is in a wheelchair I was getting her out of the car, have to carry her out of the seat..I saw Sam Walton watching us in his car I told my wife he was watching, anyway we start walking towards the door he yells hey let me get that door for you and he opened both doors..I was a smoker in those days and went to the right he went to the left and I thought why didn't I say hi I just thanked him..At that time he had cancer and it was well known..He walked past us after eating and going to the bathroom..When he came out he said see you, now take care of her, I said you are Sam Walton aren't you, We talked for some time He was as nice as could be He was looking at a spot to build a new WM....Another quick story on Sam in the 70s Meijor stores were in the state of MI. only. old man Meijor called Sam and said he wanted to make a deal with him they met and Meijor said that he would stay in Mi.and not go to any other state if Sam would stay out of that state...But if he said no he would open a store as close as he could to every Walmart..Sam said no..If Sam was still alive I believe He would have made a different decision.

 

[Creamer]

I doubt it - Meijer is just higher priced and snobbier version of WalMart which makes no sense to me.

 

[WoodChuckDad]

I've had retailers and salespeople ignore me before. I went elsewhere. And I have have gone to the same dealership at different times and been treated completely different. I drive a 13 year old truck and a 19 year old Jeep. They are paid for and do what I need them to do. To the OP I would say expand your search. Maybe look at different brands of tractor.

 

[rScotty]

I also take pride in wearing clothes the homeless would leave in the dumpster, and driving old trucks with a big dog in my lap and not being in huge debt.

I hear you and don't disagree. That's a familiar country attitude where I come from.
And I also grew up with rural values, where doing business always had more to do with attitude than dress.

Still, when I go out to buy something as nice as a car or piece of property or a tractor - even an old used tractor - I'm likely to tidy up my appearance, dress nicely, call ahead to tell them I'm coming, and probably stop by the car wash to spiff up the old car. If I can talk my wife into coming along, that's better yet.

It all makes no sense, but I believe that showing respect makes a difference. It probably comes about from parents who were very poor but believed that a person was should present themself as how they want to be treated. That belief always made sense to me so I follow it as well. I'm not doing any of this to impress the dealer, it's just a reflection of who I am.

Hmmm....as I re-read this it occurs to me that my values are rather old fashioned. Well, that's OK too.
rScotty

 

[daugen]

rScotty, old fashioned values but not uncommon...
All harkens back to what were taught early on, do not judge a book by its cover.
We forget at times.


been very lucky having two excellent family owned Kubota dealers, one to buy the tractor in PA and another to service it here in NC.
I always have felt both dealerships had my back, which is good feeling with such expensive equipment. I originally went to buy a JD 4720; was so turned off and ignored by not so local JD dealer I gave up on JD. They never earned my business and I sure wanted to do business with someone who appreciated that business. Before retiring owned several Main Street businesses in a small town. Service and trust is everything.

My understanding is that generally there is a 30% margin on tractors and implements, so a good starting point would be 15% off. That leaves 9 grand gross profit on a 60K package, say net half of the 9k to the dealer after paying expenses. That ought to be enough...

btw my Massey was a trade on a new cab Kubota. Sitting right in front of the door to the Kubota dealer. They gave the guy ten grand on a trade and sold it to me for 11; they wanted it gone. A good deal for me. They know if they keep me happy I will come back.

 

[MF283]

I've always went to my local JD dealer when i was ready to buy, told them what i was willing to pay per month(0% interest,keep my money) & we'd go from there, haven't been disappointed yet.
I've bought from them since the late 80's, they're part of a conglomerate of multi state dealers now, have always called me by name when i come in & treated me like i've spent millions, keep looking til you find that dealer.

Ronnie