Too good to be true? Raptor 52"

[Kelvininin]

Hello,

I thought I would gather some incite on a recent experience at Lowes. I have been eye balling zero tern mowers for a while now, but was having a hard time justifying the cost. Well yesterday, my semi local lowes had a 52" Raptor sitting on the floor marked down from $2999 to $2699. This lowes usually only has the big name brand mowers on the floor. I was intrigued and checking the mower out.

Sales guy comes up we shoot the breeze about the mower for a while. The mower was brand new, never used, special order, the guy who ordered it wanted something bigger. We talked a little about the pricing and the guys says "how does $2299 delivered for free sound?" Uhhh.... Ok! So now I have new never used Hustler 52" Raptor being delivered on Monday.

Typically I have found that deals that sound too good to be true, are. So what am I missing here? Or did I actually get lucky?

It just seems odd to me that lowes would cut such a deal on a mower. I would imagine $2300 is pretty close to what lowes paid for the mower. Why would lowes be so desperate to get the unit off the floor?

Anyway, I am going to give it a shot and if it doesn't seem to work out I could probably sell it for what I have in it.

 

[1striper1]

Can you first provide more information about the area you will be mowing? Acres? Trees? Wide open? Slopes? Etc.?

Most here (including me) will advise against buying from a big box store. We ask "when you need service who's going to do it?" You're just a number at Lowes. At a dealer, you are more than just a number....most times.

But..the deal is done and your focus (IMO) should turn to making sure that after you get it that the mower is properly set up, deck leveled, all nuts/bolts tight. Fluids at proper levels along with tire air pressure.

Hustler has all your Owners Manuals available online in downloadable PDF's. Take time and download the manual for your ZTR and read through it.

Try not to use gasoline with ethanol in it. Lots of stations in the upper midwest sell premium gas w/o ethanol. Cenex gas stations sell regular gas w/o ethanol.

I'm sure I've missed stuff and the other regulars here will post as well.

 

[acfttech]

Hustler is a good mower period!!!!
Raptor? don't know much about it but if it has the Hustler name, you will be good!

as for the price, I have purchased many items at a discount price at Lowes, they are just known to move products...cheap!
I think you got a great deal enjoy, besides they have a good return policy!!

 

[Kelvininin]

My house sits on 1.3 acres with about 18 mature trees and some landscaping islands. Most of it is flat, except the portion that was excavated for the walkout basement. I currently mow it with a 42" Husqavarna law tractor, trimming with a Honda push mower and it takes about 3 hours from start to finish.

I don't mind making purchases like this from big box stores if the deal is right. I usually do all my own work, as long as I can get parts. But I do have a huslter dealer 8 miles from my house. But typically my stuff only will go back to a dealer for warranty work, after that I twist my own wrenches for pretty much everything.

Plus lowes has a 30 day return policy so if I really hate it, or it doesn't perform as expected, or is problematic, I can return it.

 

[1striper1]

My house sits on 1.3 acres with about 18 mature trees and some landscaping islands. Most of it is flat, except the portion that was excavated for the walkout basement. I currently mow it with a 42" Husqavarna law tractor, trimming with a Honda push mower and it takes about 3 hours from start to finish.

I don't mind making purchases like this from big box stores if the deal is right. I usually do all my own work, as long as I can get parts. But I do have a huslter dealer 8 miles from my house. But typically my stuff only will go back to a dealer for warranty work, after that I twist my own wrenches for pretty much everything.

Plus lowes has a 30 day return policy so if I really hate it, or it doesn't perform as expected, or is problematic, I can return it.

I understand....was just asking. If YOU are happy, that's all that matters.

I think you will cut (no pun intended) your mow time down by upwards of 50%. Think about making a mount on your ZTR so you can attach a string trimmer to it and when you're in a particular area that needs trimming, just jump off and git er done. Your unit doesn't show that it has a ROPS so it might not be doable, or you're OK with walking around.

Just go thru the mower closely. Don't assume for a second Lowes did anything more than assemble it and put it out on the floor. No matter what the sales kid said.

 

[Kelvininin]

I understand....was just asking. If YOU are happy, that's all that matters.

I think you will cut (no pun intended) your mow time down by upwards of 50%. Think about making a mount on your ZTR so you can attach a string trimmer to it and when you're in a particular area that needs trimming, just jump off and git er done. Your unit doesn't show that it has a ROPS so it might not be doable, or you're OK with walking around.

Just go thru the mower closely. Don't assume for a second Lowes did anything more than assemble it and put it out on the floor. No matter what the sales kid said.

Oh absolutely. I will basically follow the setup instructions to make sure the mower is assembled properly. When I make purchases like this I would rather it be delivered in a create from the manufacture.

I am happy with the purchase. I am just curious why Lowes was so hot to trot to get the mower off the floor, that they would knock $700 off the MSRP and deliver it for free. I just want to make sure I am not missing something here.


And yes, no roll over protection... I like to live dangerously.

 

[1striper1]

Oh absolutely. I will basically follow the setup instructions to make sure the mower is assembled properly. When I make purchases like this I would rather it be delivered in a create from the manufacture.

I am happy with the purchase. I am just curious why Lowes was so hot to trot to get the mower off the floor, that they would knock $700 off the MSRP and deliver it for free. I just want to make sure I am not missing something here.


And yes, no roll over protection... I like to live dangerously.

Clearing out "old" inventory? Did you/can you get a serial number off of the unit? That will tell you when it was made.

Not unusual at all for them or any dealer to lower a price to move a unit. Especially if it's NOS (new old stock). Doesn't Lowes offer free deliver to most everybody? Some dealers will that I do know.

For us homeowners with level lots, ROPS isn't needed IMO. When I had my Hustler (and my next ZTR) the ROPS was down. I don't think we're living dangerously! :drink:

May I ask where in MN you live? Region?

 

[Kelvininin]

Clearing out "old" inventory? Did you/can you get a serial number off of the unit? That will tell you when it was made.

Not unusual at all for them or any dealer to lower a price to move a unit. Especially if it's NOS (new old stock). Doesn't Lowes offer free deliver to most everybody? Some dealers will that I do know.

For us homeowners with level lots, ROPS isn't needed IMO. When I had my Hustler (and my next ZTR) the ROPS was down. I don't think we're living dangerously! :drink:

May I ask where in MN you live? Region?

I will get the SN When the mower is delivered. This Lowes doesn't stock Hustler, it's special order only. As long as the guy wasn't yanking my chain, it was ordered, delivered to the store and was turned down for a larger mower.

I live in Corcoran, about 20 min northwest of Minneapolis. We are still in farm country but urban sprawl is headed our way.

I have yet to experience free delivery on anything in my area. According to the website, delivery would have been $80

 

[1striper1]

I will get the SSN When the mower is delivered. This Lowes doesn't stock Hustler, it's special order only. As long as the guy wasn't yanking my chain, it was ordered, delivered to the store and was turned down for a larger mower.

I live in Corcoran, about 20 min northwest of Minneapolis. We are still in farm country but urban sprawl is headed our way.

I have yet to experience free delivery on anything in my area. According to the website, delivery would have been $80

Yep I know where you are. Used to work for a company in Rogers.

As to the free delivery thing...well I guess it's area dependent?

This deck will have 3 blades and I'm guessing your Husky had two? I like a 3 blade deck better because when you are mowing a LH curve, some two blade decks will an uncut stripe of grass unless you slow way down.

The blade tip speed on ZTR's is FASTTTTTTTT....so a 3 blade deck is just cutting the beejesus outta the grass and you shouldn't experience anything like maybe you had on the 2 blade.

It's going to cut down your mowing time that's for sure.

 

[rbstern]

Hello,

I thought I would gather some incite on a recent experience at Lowes. I have been eye balling zero tern mowers for a while now, but was having a hard time justifying the cost. Well yesterday, my semi local lowes had a 52" Raptor sitting on the floor marked down from $2999 to $2699. This lowes usually only has the big name brand mowers on the floor. I was intrigued and checking the mower out.

Sales guy comes up we shoot the breeze about the mower for a while. The mower was brand new, never used, special order, the guy who ordered it wanted something bigger. We talked a little about the pricing and the guys says "how does $2299 delivered for free sound?" Uhhh.... Ok! So now I have new never used Hustler 52" Raptor being delivered on Monday.

Typically I have found that deals that sound too good to be true, are. So what am I missing here? Or did I actually get lucky?

It just seems odd to me that lowes would cut such a deal on a mower. I would imagine $2300 is pretty close to what lowes paid for the mower. Why would lowes be so desperate to get the unit off the floor?

Anyway, I am going to give it a shot and if it doesn't seem to work out I could probably sell it for what I have in it.

I'm considering that same mower. IMHO, you scored a great deal!

Very interested to read your impressions of it after you've had a chance to run it.