New Member, First "Real" Tractor, First (hopefully) imaginary concern

[jrleslie]

First, thank you. I've been lurking here reading posts and learning from you for the better part of 18 months. I knew I NEEDED a SCUT, alright, need is a strong word, but I knew if I bought one I wanted to make sure I made the right decision. You all helped me tremendously. Thank you.

I am taking delivery of a BX23S with MMM, 3rd function and BH thumb tomorrow morning, the LP grapple is on order but not in the same delivery. I have 5 acres of brush to clear, a hill that sends my zeroturn sliding to mow, trees to fell, dirt to move for irrigation, a creek to rebuild, a dry creek to install, a wife to satisfy that I really NEEDED this tractor...

I purchased it from a dealer that was well reviewed here on the forums but several hundred miles from me. He was a little lower in price than a closer dealer, but not $1000's cheaper. The dealer closest to me didn't want to order a 23S until he'd sold his stock of 25Ds so I never made it to a price quote from him.

I have a question for the forum. I expect and am looking forward to doing my own routine maintenance. I do all of my own work on my cars and am confident that the info here in the forum will be more than enough to guide me. Do I have anything to fear about asking for warranty work to be performed by my local dealer if I didn't buy from them? This hasn't been a problem with cars I bought out of state. Do I have anything to worry about?
Will Kubota be helpful if I have problems getting a local dealer to do the work in a timely manner because I didn't buy from them?

I'd rather be excited about my new toy than worry about service I don't even need yet, but this is nagging at me after reading a few of the comments here in the forums. Does anyone have experience with this after purchasing outside of their immediate market area?

I'd appreciate your input.

 

[Utopia Texas]

It is still a free country and where you bought your tractor is basically none of your local dealership's business. Every dealership does warranty work and it should be no problem. If you don't mention where you bought the tractor they will most probably not ask. If they want your repair business they should treat you just like someone who bought a unit from them.

 

[MadMax31]

I purchased from Barlows, but I purchase all filters and fluids from the dealer down the road. I saved 3500 total. I will be purchasing the front quick hitch and snowblower from local dealer as well.

They cant turn you down for warranty work, but you wont be first in line either...

 

[jkcolo22]

Agreed. Not a real problem. However, just like everything in life, if you had a good experience with your original dealer, it can be beneficial to continue that relationship. My original dealer isn't the closest, but they came and picked up my tractor, did some warranty worked and returned it free of charge. I also now have a relationship with the delivery guy who has made various deliveries to my house. I got a bad vibe from the big city dealer right from the start and ending up going with a more rural dealer who not only seems to appreciate his customers, but told me he is basically related by blood or marriage to everyone in the county and can't afford to tarnish his reputation because word gets around quick in small towns. It was a great sales pitch, but it's proven true thus far.


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[Bmbbm]

Look at it from the Dealers point of view. How you are received will have a lot to do with you and your attitude. If you go in with a friendly demeanor and ask for help you probably will receive it. Understand if the shop is backed up you will go to the end of the line like someone else mentioned. If you go in with a chip on your shoulder demanding your tractor is a Kubota-he is a Kubota Dealer and I want it fixed now! You will probably be told to take it where you bought it or they will schedule an appointment for you 6 weeks down the line. Refrain from bragging at the coffee shop about how you save tons of $$$ by buying from dealer A rather than Local dealer B, that conversation has a way of getting back to Dealer B and he will be locked and loaded when you arrive wanting something. Would you rather have your tractor worked on by someone who has a vested interest in your satisfaction or someone who feels they "have to"? On a personal note when I bought my new BX last year I shopped 3 dealers within an hours drive before I entered the door of the local Dealership. I had decided I was going to buy and would buy locally if they were anywhere close on the pricing. Maybe I was lucky? They all were within $500 of each other with the local dealer being the lowest. Just remember the lowest price is not always the "best" deal. Sorry for the long rant.

 

[D2Cat]

Bmbbm, not a rant....just good common sense. It's a good reminder!

Your comment about not going to the coffee shop and bragging about the bargain you found somewhere else is so true.

In a small town it's OK to have a beer, but have two...and it'll beat you home!

 

[jrleslie]

Look at it from the Dealers point of view. How you are received will have a lot to do with you and your attitude. If you go in with a friendly demeanor and ask for help you probably will receive it. Understand if the shop is backed up you will go to the end of the line like someone else mentioned. If you go in with a chip on your shoulder demanding your tractor is a Kubota-he is a Kubota Dealer and I want it fixed now! You will probably be told to take it where you bought it or they will schedule an appointment for you 6 weeks down the line. Refrain from bragging at the coffee shop about how you save tons of $$$ by buying from dealer A rather than Local dealer B, that conversation has a way of getting back to Dealer B and he will be locked and loaded when you arrive wanting something. Would you rather have your tractor worked on by someone who has a vested interest in your satisfaction or someone who feels they "have to"? On a personal note when I bought my new BX last year I shopped 3 dealers within an hours drive before I entered the door of the local Dealership. I had decided I was going to buy and would buy locally if they were anywhere close on the pricing. Maybe I was lucky? They all were within $500 of each other with the local dealer being the lowest. Just remember the lowest price is not always the "best" deal. Sorry for the long rant.

Not a rant at all. I appreciate the advice and reminder. For what it's worth, I shopped a bunch of dealers too, and pricing was comparable. I didn't save thousands. I chose to purchase from the dealer that was most helpful and informative in the sales process. I think I sent him close to 25 emails with questions during my discovery period, slight changes to my order etc and he was responsive and super helpful. He advised me not to spend extra on the drive-over deck based on my intended use for example.

I wish he were the closest, but that wasn't the most important thing to me I suppose.

 

[William1]

I agree with all of the above.
If money did not matter, you would not of shopped and the local dealer would of been cheaper (or the same). Nothing personal, just business.
Sales and service are typically totally separate in a dealership up until the owner takes his cut of the profits.Until then, each side does its' own thing and a customer is a customer.
Congrats on the new tool, it will serve you well. I am still amazed at some of the jobs it can do so easily that would be near impossible by hand.
Take good care of it. Keep the BH and FEL greased. You cannot over grease them. Servicing it is a breeze compared to any car or pickup. Store the tractor out of the elements.

 

[skeets]

MHO is the dealer was being a stinker and wanted to sell a "D", rather than order in one for you because you were going to buy the 23 S and not a 25 D. The sales man needs a kick in the slacks from the owner, had he ordered the machine for you,, well the dealer would have gotten a sale and future business. So maybe all in all you were better served going some place else.
ALSO there is a FEDERAL LAW that states, if you do your own maintenance they CAN NOT void your warranty for any reason unless you really screw something up and try to claim it under warranty,,, however just keep your slips when you go back and get what ever it is you need . And never never NEVER let your lovely bride see the smile on your face while your out playing,,, ERRRR I mean working yeah working on your new toy,,,errrr TOOL I meant TOOL
Enjoy and welcome

 

[RCW]

Sorry for the long rant.

Agree with the other guys; not a rant at all.

In fact, I think you gave a great description of the dealer A/B interactions.

P.S. for the OP - I bought my BX2360 from a dealer an hour away, but a local salesman. I have bought all maintenance supplies from a dealer 15 minutes away, and haven't required any dealer service in 250 hours and 4+ years!

Best advice is keep the HST fan protected! Haven't busted mine, but its a big replacement job for a $15 part. Rest has been pretty much common sense with me so far.

Good luck!

 

[jrleslie]

Agree with the other guys; not a rant at all.

In fact, I think you gave a great description of the dealer A/B interactions.

P.S. for the OP - I bought my BX2360 from a dealer an hour away, but a local salesman. I have bought all maintenance supplies from a dealer 15 minutes away, and haven't required any dealer service in 250 hours and 4+ years!

Best advice is keep the HST fan protected! Haven't busted mine, but its a big replacement job for a $15 part. Rest has been pretty much common sense with me so far.

Good luck!

Thanks RCW. I just bought the Piranha tooth bar and Armor from BXpanded this afternoon.

Here is a picture so that I can remember what it looked like when it was shiny and new.

 

[Rookie Farmer]

MHO is the dealer was being a stinker and wanted to sell a "D", rather than order in one for you because you were going to buy the 23 S and not a 25 D. The sales man needs a kick in the slacks from the owner, had he ordered the machine for you,, well the dealer would have gotten a sale and future business. So maybe all in all you were better served going some place else.
ALSO there is a FEDERAL LAW that states, if you do your own maintenance they CAN NOT void your warranty for any reason unless you really screw something up and try to claim it under warranty,,, however just keep your slips when you go back and get what ever it is you need . And never never NEVER let your lovely bride see the smile on your face while your out playing,,, ERRRR I mean working yeah working on your new toy,,,errrr TOOL I meant TOOL
Enjoy and welcome

Too late on the smile portion. My wife recently told me she hasn't seen me smile so much when working in a long time.