So, I've been talking about this for a while on and off. And finally pulling the trigger. Upgrading the BX2350 to a B2601.
Took the day off work Wednesday, visited every Kubota dealer between Auckland and home (3 hour drive, 3 dealers).
The dealer in Pukekohe I'd visited before. They've been very clear in the past that they do a constant low price, so not much point in waiting for deals (in NZ there's an annual autumn special associated with the big farming trade show). Had one on the lot that was in beautiful condition - newly set up and everything shiny and well put together, plus a bunch of safety and information stickers that were all nicely lined up and tidy. He thought I should buy from a branch closer to home, but gave me a hint to pricing. Very knowledgeable and clear.
Second dealer on the way home, another branch of the first, was a new guy - been in the business for 1 month, came across from John Deere. Nice guy, but really only knew about a BX, thought that the B2601 had the same engine (no), same mower deck (no), had options for drive over or not drive over (no). Gave me same story about keeping their prices low, not much margin. Promised a price for me. Not a lot of machines on the lot, those that were didn't look as tidy, looked to have lower turnover.
Third dealer is the one I've dealt with before close to home. Same guy, had a B2601 on the lot. Wasn't tidy, quite dirty and dusty. I said I'd be keen to have a new one, not one that'd been on the lot for a while. He pointed to a different model across the lot and said "that one's new out of the crate 2 weeks ago, similar condition, they just get dirty quickly". Which says to me they can't be bothered cleaning them. When I pointed out the rust spots he was pretty quiet, said he could get a new one in. Promised me a price.
Prices came in, both about $2K higher than I expected (and $4K higher than I was quoted a couple years ago....but exchange rates change). Thought long and hard....actually, only one dealer impressed me. It's a long term purchase for me, I want a machine that's been put together right, and if I'm paying for new I want new. The guy closest to me has done work on my existing BX, and it was disappointing. The middle guy just didn't seem any better.
Called back the first guy, asked him whether there was a rule that said he couldn't sell to me. He said no, he could, the main issue is if he sells it he needs to support me and service it, and 3 hours is a long way away. Honest and clear. Told him I service my machines myself, and happy to come pick it up. He said no, if he sells me a machine he'll bring it to me himself and make sure I'm happy. Did a deal on price, they have a new one in stock, probably he'll deliver next week.
Christmas coming early this year in my part of the world!! B2601, standard bucket on the FEL (hard to get the light materials bucket down here), standard 60" deck. Can't get SSQA in NZ, not popular apparently. We also still get the old pioneer couplers, no single lever manifold available nor likely to come here - apparently adds $600-800 to the wholesale cost of the machine, and people don't want to pay it. I'll do the old school Kubota proprietary quick attach, or more likely get a local engineer to weld up something similar. I really only will have the pin-on bucket and my existing 3ph forks modified to go on the FEL as well.
Took the day off work Wednesday, visited every Kubota dealer between Auckland and home (3 hour drive, 3 dealers).
The dealer in Pukekohe I'd visited before. They've been very clear in the past that they do a constant low price, so not much point in waiting for deals (in NZ there's an annual autumn special associated with the big farming trade show). Had one on the lot that was in beautiful condition - newly set up and everything shiny and well put together, plus a bunch of safety and information stickers that were all nicely lined up and tidy. He thought I should buy from a branch closer to home, but gave me a hint to pricing. Very knowledgeable and clear.
Second dealer on the way home, another branch of the first, was a new guy - been in the business for 1 month, came across from John Deere. Nice guy, but really only knew about a BX, thought that the B2601 had the same engine (no), same mower deck (no), had options for drive over or not drive over (no). Gave me same story about keeping their prices low, not much margin. Promised a price for me. Not a lot of machines on the lot, those that were didn't look as tidy, looked to have lower turnover.
Third dealer is the one I've dealt with before close to home. Same guy, had a B2601 on the lot. Wasn't tidy, quite dirty and dusty. I said I'd be keen to have a new one, not one that'd been on the lot for a while. He pointed to a different model across the lot and said "that one's new out of the crate 2 weeks ago, similar condition, they just get dirty quickly". Which says to me they can't be bothered cleaning them. When I pointed out the rust spots he was pretty quiet, said he could get a new one in. Promised me a price.
Prices came in, both about $2K higher than I expected (and $4K higher than I was quoted a couple years ago....but exchange rates change). Thought long and hard....actually, only one dealer impressed me. It's a long term purchase for me, I want a machine that's been put together right, and if I'm paying for new I want new. The guy closest to me has done work on my existing BX, and it was disappointing. The middle guy just didn't seem any better.
Called back the first guy, asked him whether there was a rule that said he couldn't sell to me. He said no, he could, the main issue is if he sells it he needs to support me and service it, and 3 hours is a long way away. Honest and clear. Told him I service my machines myself, and happy to come pick it up. He said no, if he sells me a machine he'll bring it to me himself and make sure I'm happy. Did a deal on price, they have a new one in stock, probably he'll deliver next week.
Christmas coming early this year in my part of the world!! B2601, standard bucket on the FEL (hard to get the light materials bucket down here), standard 60" deck. Can't get SSQA in NZ, not popular apparently. We also still get the old pioneer couplers, no single lever manifold available nor likely to come here - apparently adds $600-800 to the wholesale cost of the machine, and people don't want to pay it. I'll do the old school Kubota proprietary quick attach, or more likely get a local engineer to weld up something similar. I really only will have the pin-on bucket and my existing 3ph forks modified to go on the FEL as well.
