how to negotiate with dealers?

[LoCo86]

So getting taxes back this year and I want to buy my timemaster early to try and get a deal msrp is $999 and I would like to pay as little as possible how does one negotiate prices with a dealer and yes I'm buying from a local dealer

If your dealers are anything like the ones we have here you are better off buying it where you can get the mower the cheapest, since you're mechanically inclined. If you're not in the millionaires club here it could take 1-2 weeks to get your equipment back from repairs. As far as negotiations go it's just like buying a new car or motorcycle. But since your not buying multiple pieces of equipment costing thousands of dollars you won't get much of a discount if any at all. So just buy the mower wherever you are able to purchase it the cheapest.

 

[pugaltitude]

Do you let your lawn customers haggle?

No I am an equipment dealer.
Swear word in my showroom is "discount".

 

[pugaltitude]

1) Generally giving a customer a good deal ensures a return customer.
2) customers expect it because private dealers generally haggle some dealers actually mark up prices for the customers to haggle and to make customers feel as though they got a good deal.


As I suspect with this deal will at least match HD price because I am going to start taking al my new business there as they are a Honda/toro/echo/husky dealer

I find good service and honesty will bring a return customer.
If i discount from rrp then that customer expects it everytime.
I will build the product, deliver it, show then how to use it and give them backup but im not buying it for them.
Dealers dont make that much money from selling product. Lucky if its 20% on certain product.
By the time its PDI'd, sales pitch and delivered etc then the profits gone.
We just hope the the customer is loyal enough to come back for service.

 

[pugaltitude]

What I do laugh about is customers travelling all over the place
to get a good deal but not realizing its cost them fuel.

2 dealers selling same product in my town.
Customer drives past 1st dealer to come to me which is approx 5 miles.
I give him sales pitch and price. Customer is happy but wants to think about it.
next day customer comes back in and says "i can get it ｣15 cheaper at other dealer".
I say go back and buy it there then. "But I want to buy from you as it will be done right". I say only at rrp and so off the customer goes to buy from other dealer.
So following week customer comes in with his brand new product but has a fault.
Is it warranty? No. Its not been PDI'd properly. I charge him ｣30 to sort out as its my time.

So

｣15 turns into 6 car runs which is approx 30 miles plus my ｣30.
Bargain by the sounds of it.
Find a good dealer and stick with them.
Sometimes the cheapest priced machine can turn into the most expensive.

 

[Ric]

Wonder if I could get someone to ship it

If he would ship you could probably buy the one where you're at cheaper. I'll bet shipping would eat you up on 140lbs.

 

[Ric]

What I do laugh about is customers travelling all over the place
to get a good deal but not realizing its cost them fuel.

2 dealers selling same product in my town.
Customer drives past 1st dealer to come to me which is approx 5 miles.
I give him sales pitch and price. Customer is happy but wants to think about it.
next day customer comes back in and says "i can get it ｣15 cheaper at other dealer".
I say go back and buy it there then. "But I want to buy from you as it will be done right". I say only at rrp and so off the customer goes to buy from other dealer.
So following week customer comes in with his brand new product but has a fault.
Is it warranty? No. Its not been PDI'd properly. I charge him ｣30 to sort out as its my time.

So

｣15 turns into 6 car runs which is approx 30 miles plus my ｣30.
Bargain by the sounds of it.
Find a good dealer and stick with them.
Sometimes the cheapest priced machine can turn into the most expensive.

Business should be about making money I understand that but when I see a business do what you do, I see a someone only interested in themselves and padding there pockets. A good Reputation in business can be more important than the extra few dollars you can put in your pocket and can get you a lot of return.

 

[pugaltitude]

Business should be about making money I understand that but when I see a business do what you do, I see a someone only interested in themselves and padding there pockets. A good Reputation in business can be more important than the extra few dollars you can put in your pocket and can get you a lot of return.

I am not trying to fill my pockets. Im trying to survive.
Im a 2 man business but would love to have salesman parts person and delivery driver but my business isnt big enough.
my time selling product is then lost in the workshop. I have to make my lost time up in selling at full rrp to even up.
And also why should i lose money from someone who its going to make money using that product,
Their isnt many dealers around my area that work until 10-11 to keep the customer happy. It is only grass at the end of the day!
I didnt choose to be self employed for the money but more of the lifestyle to choose what i want to do.
If someone buys from me they get a package not just a product.
I have lots of pros that come to me.
They know they wont be let down and where they might pay at the start when buying product they might get a starter repair or adjustment done mid season and not be charged and there amd then.
We also supply them tea!!!

 

[Ric]

The last mower I purchased was my Toro Turfmaster and the MSRP was $1999, I paid $1699. I never pay MSRP on any mower and the dealer is still making money. No dealer has to sell for MSRP to make money. The nearest Exmark dealer from me that had there 30" for $1999 and gave me the same $1699 price for it. Regardless of the MSRP the dealer can sell or set his own price on the equipment and still make the money he needs to survive as well as giving the customer a deal and it's a win win for every one.
The mower exotion is trying to buy at the dealer for the HD price I'll bet he will get from the dealer at the 999 price or maybe just a little cheaper, I mean the dealer would be a fool to let him leave and go to HD and buy it.

 

[pugaltitude]

The last mower I purchased was my Toro Turfmaster and the MSRP was $1999, I paid $1699. I never pay MSRP on any mower and the dealer is still making money. No dealer has to sell for MSRP to make money. The nearest Exmark dealer from me that had there 30" for $1999 and gave me the same $1699 price for it. Regardless of the MSRP the dealer can sell or set his own price on the equipment and still make the money he needs to survive as well as giving the customer a deal and it's a win win for every one.
The mower exotion is trying to buy at the dealer for the HD price I'll bet he will get from the dealer at the 999 price or maybe just a little cheaper, I mean the dealer would be a fool to let him leave and go to HD and buy it.

So you think a business can give away approx 20% of its product and still expect to make money?
Thats like $300 ish. (Toro)
lucky if the dealer gets 20-30% buying anyway.
I dont know any business who could survive like that.
They are going for volume rather then turnover.

 

[Rivets]

Landscapers, please remember your business is far different than your equipment dealer service center. The dealers over head is vastly different than your's. Both have the same expenses, but the dealer has a hugh inventory in parts and new equipment which you don't have, which is constantly accruing interest if not moved quickly. Remember, the dealer must ordered six to eight months before the season to get inventory and any kind of discount. There is no 0% interest program for us.

A new guy with a decent reputation from from the big city nearby decides to expand and comes into your area with a multi-team crew and starts advertising he will do the same job you do at a 15-20% discount to your prices. He's got nice trucks, good equipment, guys in uniform showing up on time and they can do everything you do. He is making his money on volume and time and paying his crew less to make his profit. Your customers call and ask you to match his price. What do you tell them? Isn't that the same thing you are asking us dealers to do for you?