[Double D]

Hello all, I am going to upgrade this spring from a 33" widecut mower with a combo deck. I have decided to buy a 48" Exmark Metro hp (floating deck, belt drive). Here is my question--I have 4 dealers within 15 miles that carry the Exmark line, and all 4 have quoted me the MSRP for the mower ($3199). How should I go about trying to get the best price. To be more specific, is it like buying a car? Do I try to get the dealers trying to out do one another? Do I go in with a price, and tell them to sell it at that price or I will go elsewhere? What is the best approach? I have no clue how pricing in this business is done. I also plan on using the Exmark defered interest and payment plan, which I know cost the dealer some cash. What is a fair price for this mower after factoring in the cost to the dealer for the defered payments. Thanks in advance
Double D

 

[Lawnworks]

I think it all depends on the dealer. Some dealers in my area will not budge on their price, while a couple of others will work with me. I would not pay MSRP. Are you buying new because of warranty? If not, I would try to get a slightly used mower. If you want to buy new I think you should go into the shop w/ a reasonable price and make an offer. Or maybe you could go ahead and make out a check for what you want to pay.

 

[Keith]

Call dealers out of the area and try to find lower prices, then take them to the local dealers and see what they can do. Don't pay MSRP! The dealer thinks so little of you that he is going to sell you the item for as much as he possibly can. I don't care what others say, you should expect something besides full price.

 

[Evan528]

After reading grassmasters novel a couple of days ago about his buissness, i myself would feel guilty trying to nagotiate for a mower! The dealer i get my equipment from sells most of his equipment at msrp... i pay it and i dont complain! He has the best service around and will even send someone to a jobsite in 10 minutes if a peice of equipomwnt from him goes down and im in a jam. When i take something in there to be fixed theyll stop what there doing and fix my machine while i wait! The moral of the story is that price isnt always the most important factor! buy form who you can trust and who has the best service.

 

[Mr.Ziffel]

I have absolutely no compunction about asking for a better price---all they can do is say no and the operative word here is no. You can feel sorry all you want for Grassmaster, but if he doesn't want to sell for a lower price then....he can just say no! Then the ball's in your court--you can either say no or say, 'well I know you give good service and have helped me out in the past so I'll pay your price.'

No one ever forced Grassmaster or any other dealer to sell at a low price if they didn't want to. Remember, it's
MS(uggested)RP. That's SUGGESTED not REQUIRED in order to allow dealing and bargaining, generally favoring the consumer---YOU! If there were not adequate profit margin built in by the manufacturer for the dealer to keep his doors open, then the dealer is making some wrong decisions about what line to carry--This is NOT your problem.

I have found dealers to be all over the board on what prices they ask for and what prices they will take. Again, it's my choice to ask and their choice to say no. Don't feel sorry for those bleeding crocodile tears about low profit margins--it's by their choice they deal in those lines and if they make the wrong business choice......just like you they must shut the doors. Cold I know, but ask yourself, who's given you anything lately? Just my thoughts.
Will

 

[Volman39]

1)Visit the on-line Exmark site. (http://www.exmark.com/)
2)Search for dealers within a specified radius of your area.
3)E-mail them all - tell them what you are looking for and ask for pricing and availability.
4)After you receive the lowest price, e-mail all the dealers again and state that your lowest price to date is $xxxx.xx and ask if they can beat it.
5)Go pick up your mower.

This may take a little time and effort but believe me it works.

 

[CCLC]

Don't pay MSRP. One of them will be willing to deal. First check out some local mowing companies and ask about their service. Service is the key. You can't have down time. If your mower has to go in for work are they going to give you a loner mower (not a piece of junk)? Sometimes it is worth it to pay a little more upfront to have good service.

 

[TJLC]

I paid $3500.00 for my exmark 48" hydro and $2300.00 for my exmark 36" hydro. Both in excellent cond.with very low hours. I have owned 1 belt drive and will never own one again. I'm not rich by no means, but I feel strongly about paying extra for the hydro drive over the belt. I just kept in touch with my dealer and told him what I was looking for. When he came across something he thought I would be interested in he let me know. I might have overpaid, but I'm happy with what I have and service has been good so far.

 

[Skookum]

Keep checking with those dealers during the winter about any older models, like last year's stock. I usually buy mine that way and have saved alot of money. Last two big mowers I bought, I bought in Feburary and saved around $3,000 between the two.

 

[DeepDivot]

Originally posted by Volman39
2)Search for dealers within a specified radius of your area.

It's important that the 'specified radius' is an acceptable amount to travel for service also. Joe Blow dealer located across the street might not provide very good service if the mower was bought 100 miles away. He certainly wouldn't provide a loaner when yours went down.

 

[tlcgrounds]

It appears that you are just getting into the business, I mean that you are buying your first walkbehind. If you want to stay a small operation and live in a suburbia with yards about the size I would recommend wheeling and dealing for the best price. Walkbehinds are vertually problem free so there is no dependency on a dealer, espeacially if there are three or four dealers in your area. Us on the otherhand. Our dealer is the closest in 45 miles. and we run five machines. We still don't pay MSRP but we don't bicker over price.

 

[Volman39]

DeepDivot

Not to make a mountain out of a mole hill but, I traveled 175 miles and saved $1,700.00. While that may not be much money to some of you guys, it's quite a bit to me. As for service within the warranty period - Exmark will pay for it at any dealer. I understand dealer loyalty but, get real.
The mark-up on these machines would make a car salesman blush.

 

[lawrence stone]

For $1k more you could buy a wright stander.

For $1k less you could buy a 48" eXmark metro with T-bar Toro steering.

If you are going with a gear drive pistol grip they are not as easy to steer as a T-bar. When using a stand on sulky you can operate a t-bar with causing damage to your hands.

 

[MOW ED]

The T-Bar is definately the way to go!!

Try one and you will see. If you really want to mow fast and easy, try a hydro and compare it to the belt unit. Belt drives aren't for everyone but Hydros are. Just my 2.

 

[Double D]

Mr. Stone, where can I get a new floating deck 48" Toro mower for $2199. I will drive quite a distance to get a deal like that! Please post information so I can contact the dealer asap!!!!!
Double D

 

[lawrence stone]

Go to turfquip.com and look under the commercial mower section.

 

[DeepDivot]

For $1700 I'd do the same thing you did. For $100, no. Somewhere between those numbers there's a point where the decision becomes difficult. You're right Exmark will pay for the warranty work, but that wasn't the point I was trying to make. Nearly any dealer will take care of his own first. As long as there's no problem with waiting a day or two while your competitor gets his machine repaired (which arrived at the shop after yours), then there shouldn't be any problems with buying only on price.

 

[Tomslawncare1]

Double D, If I were you I would not shop price. If you have 4 dealers within 15 Mins from your house I would shop service first. Which dealer can guarantee you that they'll get you back on the lawn if you have a break down. You may save 100 or 200 dollars on the price of the mower from the cheapest dealer around. But how do you know that the reason he can save you that 200 is because he cut a service personel back to one person. If your mower is tied up in a service shop for an entire day, or maybe even two, how much money have you really saved now? Go with they dealer who can prove he can back up his product with the service. Don't be penny wise and dollar foolish!

 

[Greenkeepers]

Remember, this has been said many times. Price shouldn't be your only consideration. Mower will go down and if you can't fix them yourselves, you have consider service as well. I would never pay MSRP for it though. Throughout the buying process just ask is that the best price you can do. If they get irritated by this then say joe c. will sell it for this and usually they will do a little to keep your business.

Just my .02

Mike
Greenkeepers

 

[Lazer Man]

Lawerence Stone said it all , the Toro T-Bar is the way to go after useing it don't know how I operated without it , ease of operation is almost effortless. Just go demo one and you'll see what we mean!!