Opinions on a Kubota Z726X?

[Shughes717]

I have been reading these posts, and they are getting a little personal. Rivets and 1striper1, I was a member of the FFA as well. Grew up working on a cotton farm. My parents have owned horses all my life. My father also raises the meat we eat (Piedmontese cows) and we canned our own vegetables. I try to stay positive as best I can when posting, but sometimes we as members don't see eye to eye. I have had my epic battles with Ric. In the end we respect each other and realize that this site is here to help each other out by posting our experiences with certain equipment.

I see both points here. One of my best friends is a certified Harley Davidson mechanic and has explained to me how he got paid when he was working at the dealership. He did get a certain time allotted to do a job. If the job was allotted for 3 hours and he finished in two he got paid for 3 hours labor and got to start another job. He liked servicing the motorcycles because he could crank several out and make a lot of money. The difficult jobs (such as engine rebuilds) weren't as profitable for him, so he didn't like doing them. I agree with 1striper1 that it shouldn't take an hour to put a mulching attachment on a mower. However, I also agree with rivets because even if it doesn't take an hour that's what the time is allotted for, so the mechanic has to be paid for an hour's labor for putting it on and another hour for taking it off.

I don't think that asking a dealer if you can try their mower with a mulching attachment is bullying, because any consumer should be sure he/she is getting what they want before they purchase. It is reasonable to ask a dealer if you can try their product using the attachments you plan on using once you make the purchase. I can also understand why a dealer may not be willing to put the attachment on, because they don't want to eat the mechanics salary if they don't make a sale. Every business' main goal is to stay in the black and make money. Minimize cost and maximize profit (basic economics). If I owned a dealership I would probably put the attachment on the mower and let the consumer try it. If I didn't make the sale I would simply leave the attachment on for the time being in case someone else wanted to demo a mower with the mulching attachment. If the mower was purchased by someone who didn't want the attachment I would take it off before the sale.
Just my 2 cents and probably isn't worth a penny.:biggrin:

 

[Rivets]

Shrugs, you do make some good points, but a few are not accurate. I don't know of one small engine dealer who uses a time allotment for any job. Don't even think there is one, except for warranty jobs, which the manufacturer sets. Most use reasonable time and parts to charge out the job. Comparing this industry with the transportation industry is not reasonable. Only thing they really have in common is, they both have employees with the same titles. Putting on an accessory so a customer can try it, is normally not cost effective. I the hour I posted includes, getting the unit off the lot, getting the accessory out of storage, unboxing and making sure all parts are there, removing unneeded parts on the unit, installing accessory, (taking ultra care that fasteners do not scratch because it may come back off), box up removed parts and put in storage, test unit with accessory, and return unit to lot. Now if the tester driver doesn't buy I have to repeat the process, plus clean and prep the unit to go back up for sale. Remember the customer is not asking to give it a test drive on our concrete parting lot. I now have two pieces of demo equipment and a two hour labor bill that the dealer must now eat.

Most people on this forum have little or no idea how this business runs. They think we get whole goods and parts for price XXX, mark it up 50-75%, charge $75-100/hr. and have money rolling in from the sheep. Look back over the last 25 years and see how many dealers and repair shops in your area are no longer there. I will continue to battle anyone who try's to put down the good dealers and shops, because we will not do as they wish. They can take their ball and play on a different lot. We will not miss them.

 

[Shughes717]

Shrugs, you do make some good points, but a few are not accurate. I don't know of one small engine dealer who uses a time allotment for any job. Don't even think there is one, except for warranty jobs, which the manufacturer sets. Most use reasonable time and parts to charge out the job. Comparing this industry with the transportation industry is not reasonable. Only thing they really have in common is, they both have employees with the same titles. Putting on an accessory so a customer can try it, is normally not cost effective. I the hour I posted includes, getting the unit off the lot, getting the accessory out of storage, unboxing and making sure all parts are there, removing unneeded parts on the unit, installing accessory, (taking ultra care that fasteners do not scratch because it may come back off), box up removed parts and put in storage, test unit with accessory, and return unit to lot. Now if the tester driver doesn't buy I have to repeat the process, plus clean and prep the unit to go back up for sale. Remember the customer is not asking to give it a test drive on our concrete parting lot. I now have two pieces of demo equipment and a two hour labor bill that the dealer must now eat.

Most people on this forum have little or no idea how this business runs. They think we get whole goods and parts for price XXX, mark it up 50-75%, charge $75-100/hr. and have money rolling in from the sheep. Look back over the last 25 years and see how many dealers and repair shops in your area are no longer there. I will continue to battle anyone who try's to put down the good dealers and shops, because we will not do as they wish. They can take their ball and play on a different lot. We will not miss them.

I do business with a small dealer in my area. They have been in business as long as I can remember. They stand by their equipment and treat you like a neighbor. They do charge about $80 an hour for labor. If the job doesn't take an hour I still get charged $80. It is the norm around here. We also have dealers in my area that will bring a mower to your house to demo. I have learned by reading posts on this site that dealers follow different guidelines across the U.S.. There are apparently a lot of dealers who will only let their customer test their mowers on their parking lot. I for one want to test a mower before I purchase. I always suggest that to those looking to purchase. Consumers should be sure they like the product before making a significant purchase such as a commercial mower. Would you purchase a car without test driving it down the road? We have always done the same with farm equipment. The dealers would let us demo a tractor on the farm before purchase.

 

[1striper1]

Most people on this forum have little or no idea how this business runs. Look back over the last 25 years and see how many dealers and repair shops in your area are no longer there. I will continue to battle anyone who try's to put down the good dealers and shops, because we will not do as they wish. They can take their ball and play on a different lot. We will not miss them.

All I said was "oh well". I did not put them down in any way, shape or form. My original post didn't say word 1 about his stupid comments about the BB Briggs sounding like a Harley....and other dumb *** stuff he said. You took it personally and gave it to me....and I gave it back and will keep giving it back. Don't get into a war of words with me because you will not win.

Every other dealer I have talked to is willing to install a mulch kit. EVERY OTHER DEALER. Read what I said? EVERY OTHER DEALER! If 4 of 5 dealers said NO, then it's up to me to decide. But they are trying to help me and I am grateful.

Please, let's bury the hatchet and move on. I am looking for help to make the most informed decision I can.

 

[Rivets]

In my first post I answer your question. Then I stood up for the dealer who told you NO, which I am still doing. You walked out on that customer, so I tried to explain why he said NO. That's when you decided to blast me. I will continue to try to explain how this business works to those who don't understand it. If you have read my other posts, you will see that I have blasted bad dealers also. You can call me any thing you like, it does not matter to me. My rep on this forum stands for itself and you are not the first or will be the last to try to take me down. Bury the hatchet, I didn't even take mine out of the sheath. Never got that far, if it would have, you would have seen red.

 

[1striper1]

Don't go away mad, just go away ok?

 

[Ric]

I do business with a small dealer in my area. They have been in business as long as I can remember. They stand by their equipment and treat you like a neighbor. They do charge about $80 an hour for labor. If the job doesn't take an hour I still get charged $80. It is the norm around here. We also have dealers in my area that will bring a mower to your house to demo. I have learned by reading posts on this site that dealers follow different guidelines across the U.S.. There are apparently a lot of dealers who will only let their customer test their mowers on their parking lot. I for one want to test a mower before I purchase. I always suggest that to those looking to purchase. Consumers should be sure they like the product before making a significant purchase such as a commercial mower. Would you purchase a car without test driving it down the road? We have always done the same with farm equipment. The dealers would let us demo a tractor on the farm before purchase.

LOL wow I didn't know we had battles of epic proportion :laughing: As far as the demo thing goes, I don't think I've ever known of a dealer here in this area that would ever let anyone demo a mower. They don't even let you drive one in the parking lot. Someone mentioned something about buying a car without driving it first, well I can tell you I've done that more than once, in fact I never test drove the new F 150 before I purchased it and I've never demo a lawn mower of any type and for the most part there are not many dealers that even offer a demo because it's not cost effective at least that's the story I got from the dealership where I purchase my stuff and they sell Toro, Hustler, Scag and Cub Cadet.

 

[1striper1]

All of the dealers in my area except one WILL let me demo a mower and even with a mulch kit. One dealer, a JD dealer will let me demo it at home.

Different policies in different areas I guess.

But demo's are not the topic of this thread.

 

[Shughes717]

LOL wow I didn't know we had battles of epic proportion :laughing: As far as the demo thing goes, I don't think I've ever known of a dealer here in this area that would ever let anyone demo a mower. They don't even let you drive one in the parking lot. Someone mentioned something about buying a car without driving it first, well I can tell you I've done that more than once, in fact I never test drove the new F 150 before I purchased it and I've never demo a lawn mower of any type and for the most part there are not many dealers that even offer a demo because it's not cost effective at least that's the story I got from the dealership where I purchase my stuff and they sell Toro, Hustler, Scag and Cub Cadet.

It's just how it's done here. We demo everything before we purchase. I also always test drive cars and trucks before making a purchase. I want to get a feel for the ride, and listen for any annoying cabin noises. The mower dealers who allow potential customers to demo their mowers will usually have one demo unit they will use throughout the year and sell it at a discounted price at the end of the season. It must be pretty common in other places as well. I see on here all the time where members are looking at purchasing a "demo mower". It may be a southern thing.

As for not being aware of the epic battles, you must have missed out on the ones Ric and I had last year. Some other members even tried to referee. Lol

 

[Rivets]

Don't see why I should go away, does the truth hurt? Ric, you and I have had a better battles than this, but we are professionals in our trades. How dealers in different areas of the country deal with customers is going to vary, which I understand. What I will never agree to, is that a dealer should always bow down to the wishes of the customer or they are a bad dealer. Striper has his opinion, which based on my experience is totally misguided, based on my knowledge of the industry. His statements indicate his knowledge of this business are more accurate and that he knows more than the techs and dealers. He personally attack me (read post #6 & #9) even though he has no idea of my background or knowledge. If you read his posts you cannot tell if he is more upset with me or a Toro dealer. Anyone who has been on this forum know that I always try to answer honestly and with bare facts to questions asked. I am not afraid of what people think of me, but will always be confident that I have provided the best answer I am capable of. When proven wrong, I am the first to admit to my error, and have had to do so more than once. No, I will not go away either happy or mad and Ric let's show him what a real battle is, how about non-ethanol gas??? Finally, the Kubota Z726 with a mulch kit will do a good job and make a homeowners lawn look great, depending on the experience and knowledge of the operator.