My dealer is going under

[jason2]

Stopped in at my Exmark dealer today to check on a part I had ordered. One of the salesman tells me I won't be getting the part. They are shutting the doors. He just found out himself.

Next closest Exmark dealer is over 100 miles away. Guess I'll be ordering from catalogs from now on. Hate to see them go, they had great prices.

One company in town is carrying the Exmark Metro 21, so maybe they will step up and get the bigger stuff. Funny thing is the salesman wasn't aware of the new dealer. He was quite surprised and said he was going to look into it. He said after all these years he now has to refer customers to the competitors. And he wasn't looking forward to have to look for a new job.

Who knows maybe there's a Hustler or Dixie in my future. I sure wish the dealer could hang on.

[Vibe Ray]

Wow! That's harsh! What are you going to do about it? Also, did he say why it's closing?

[Skookum]

I've been told our local Exmark dealer is closing as well. They had only been open for about two years. They specialized in professional equipment. They carried Great Dane, Exmark, Ariens, Grasshopper, Redmax, Sthil and a list a mile long of other small companies for all the small extra good stuff equipment.

The local John Deere dealer, I have been told, took the Exmark equipment, but the others are likely gone for now. I never had a chance to buy anything from them, but was planning on it eventually. I was going to go look for a new hedge trimmer and a articulated head hedge trimmer this Spring. Decided to buy both from my local Echo dealer, which I likely would have anyway since they were cheaper and only down the road about two miles.

[Twotoros]

My favorite dealer also closed. Luckily he went to work at the big dealer in town so he can still work on my stuff. He is a top notch mechanic.
I think why these guys don't make it is the scrubs who don't charge enough to pay for repairs or replace equiptment. Just my opinion.

[Fantasy Lawns]

same thing happen down here fall of 99 with the Walker ...lucky for us another dealer saw it as an opportunity to expand his service business

hopefully for the same will happen in your area

[bob]

Hopefully another dealer in your local area will pick up the Exmark franchise. Did you call Exmark?

[jason2]

I never did get a reason why they are closing. I kind of have a feeling it's a combination of things. The dealer carried a lot of homeowner stuff. Seems like all the homeowners buy their power equipment from Home Depot, Lowes, etc...

There is a irrigation supply dealer in town that recently started carrying Shindaiwa, and Echo products. Stopped in the other day and was surprised to see a couple of Metro 21's on the floor. They might start carrying the bigger stuff, I hope so.

I haven't called Exmark. I'm sure they are aware of the situation.

[Barkleymut]

Posted by Vibe Ray who is obviously has a Masters in Economics: Also, did he say why it's closing?


I'm guessing its because he made so much money that he felt guilty and wanted to take a job at the paper mill making $6.50/hour. Seriously Ray, I'm pretty sure its why 75% or maybe more businesses fail. Lack of cash flow, poor business decisions, getting sued, severe debt, etc.

[Acute Cut]

Man, i cant even think what i would have to do if my dealer went under. He is a good friend and a very supportive business ally. As a matter of fact, i have structured alot of my business after him and his family. (The whole store is family run and operated) I did not really know what customer service and awareness was till i met these wonderful people. Gosh, i hope i dont have nightmares about this tonight. lol. THanks alot guys!

Good luck finding another dealer.

[little green guy]

That sucks. That why we have to support our dealers and not buy from places like almainia.com. If dealers can't make money they will not stay in busness just like us.

[Dave]

SAD but true,as a small dealer myself,I can see why dealers go out of business,you have to deal with the online stores,you have to deal with the big box stores,and then you have to deal with the distributers,in which some would rather see you go out of business in the fall when the free floor plan ends with upwards of 22% interest ,There happy ,they made there money,there warehouse is empty,the salesman has a fat pocket,inventory is another big issue,as the manufactures keep making more and more diff models and diff. parts that the dealer has to stock.I can buy some shindaiwa models from down south for just about what I pay for them here,then the dealer has the items that don,t sell,thats money lost.I feel I have a good growing business,going in to my forth year,but I also have a full time job,that pays for my ins,and pays me through the winter.I think you eitherhave to be real big with money behind or you or stay small and just do repairs and maybe sell some hand held products which can,t be bought in the big box stores