Originally posted by jwingfield2k

I don't have a problem paying 3200 bucks for it, but I'd like to save money wherever I can.

Well, you could probably save money in the beginning by going to Lowes or Wal-Mart.. you know, a place that knows nothing about the equipment they are selling, other than what they see written on the hood. Oh yeah, being big and multi state like they are, they probably get their units much cheaper than a dealer, and don't depend on mower sales for their supper.

So, yeah, go look at Lowes and Wal-Mart.

No hard feelings, ehh?

 

They aren't going to drop the $500 you ask I can assure you. As a matter of fact they wouldn't move any on the New Toro 52's I bought this year and I paid cash, but even at that they still beat the Exmark Dealers price and he dropped a whole $100.

 

$3200 for a belt drive?
Sounds a bit high to me.

 

For the Floater with the Toro T-bar that might be about right though

 

I paid $3110 for the same mower this spring in Collyville. Toro, T-bar, 15 Kohler, 36 float, belt. Mulch kit was $165, installed. I didn't do much shopping around. This is the dealer in my area, and has always done me right on repairs. I would imagine this close to end of season it would go cheaper. ???

Though I would add that this unit has been PERFECT for my conditions. Only problem has been the front caster tires have popped off the rims once...could be from hard running (running into stuff ). Also, in thick Bermuda (as w/ most mowers) the mulch kit tends to make a row of clippings at the discharge side...takes a few extra minuets to blow off the lawn and disperse the lines of cut grass.

 

Originally posted by beransfixitinc
Well, you could probably save money in the beginning by going to Lowes or Wal-Mart.. you know, a place that knows nothing about the equipment they are selling, other than what they see written on the hood. Oh yeah, being big and multi state like they are, they probably get their units much cheaper than a dealer, and don't depend on mower sales for their supper.

So, yeah, go look at Lowes and Wal-Mart.

No hard feelings, ehh?

I've got an idea. don't be a prick...

 

But for the rest of the replies, I do appreciate it. Like I said, I don't have a problem with spending the extra cash, but its always smart to know the numbers on these things. I should be picking one up here shortly before steel prices go through the roof.

 

I paid $2990 for the exact same mower you are looking at last year. It had been demo'd a couple of times. Its been a great mower.

 

Originally posted by jwingfield2k
I've got an idea. don't be a prick...

Well, here's another idea for you to munch on. Put up the money to become something like a Toro dealer, and then, when somebody walks into your shop, and says they'll give you $2700 for a mower that is marked $3170 on sale, then come back here and post what your reply to your customer was.

 

I bought my ToroZ as a demo unit and the dealer knocked off several hundred dollars.However I considered the fact he was there 7 days a week much more important than the money,and he will loan you like equipment if he can't repair yours right then.
I don't think what a person has spent to set up his business to be of any concern to me but how well he treats his customer is of great importance

 

Originally posted by beransfixitinc
Well, here's another idea for you to munch on. Put up the money to become something like a Toro dealer, and then, when somebody walks into your shop, and says they'll give you $2700 for a mower that is marked $3170 on sale, then come back here and post what your reply to your customer was.

Come on dude. The kid is only 19 years old and ask an honest question wanting an honest and sincere answer and you have done nothing but blast him twice now. Both times totally uncalled for.

 

Dealer mark up on the big ticket item such as you desire to purchase is 5-15%. While you should try and negotiate pricing on some items, this isn't one of them. The dealer is FORCED to buy X number of units in order to be a "dealer", whether he sells them or not.

Dealers are not "Raking it in", as one might assume.

In fact, dealers are an endangered species.

YOU make more money than the average dealer.

Dealers make better margins on small consumable items.... and try to keep the door open and the bills paid with service.

Swallow your pride, explain why you tried to lowball the guy and maybe he will appreciate your honesty (about being naive about this industry) and he may wind up being a great asset for you and your future.

No hard feelings here either.........

I tried to educate you a wee bit more than the previous guy with an answer.

But, if I've been too harsh, or have offended you, I can't help that so much............

 

Hey John, listen to what GV said. Maybe he will aprreciate the business, and may be a valuable asset for service in the future.You may get some deals on service or accessories down thre road. I know everyone likes to save some $$, it's in our nature. I think you hit a nerve with Beran's. Maybe he is a Toro dealer, who is also stressed over small margins on big ticket sales. But all in all, Beran's, I think you owe John an apology, whether you agree with what he was asking or not, that wasn't the response he was looking to solicit.JMO...

 

to the question, i'd imagine the mark-up is a bit more than what the dealer pays, thats common sense, but in the mower market, people will pay whatever is asked because where else are they gonna get the mower. when i worked at Academy Sports we would sell a Shimano Curado (fishing reel) for 119 and thats about as cheap as you can get it anywhere, cause it is so popular and such a good real, people will pay the 119. but Shimano also lets Academy employees order direct from the company and i could get the same reel for like 86 bucks, with shipping. kinda makes me wish i still worked there so i could get the Shimano Calcutta GT, 329$, probably for like, 275 or so (my guess). that would be sweet... anyways, try to see what companies might allow this, maybe you could find a good deal. thats all i can help with.

 

Good post GV and Impact and more what the young man needed instead of the other nasty response.

 

I was being generous with the mark-up, too.

More like 5-8% is what they really can get.

I assure you, it barely covers the light bill.........

 

So, Jeff, Thats like ten percent on a prime mover, correct?

Don't guess.

It is not what the market will bear- at the dealer on a big ticket item.

Really.

But, hey, what do I know?

 

Ok, I apologize to the original poster of this thread.

I suppose I could have been a little more explainative in my response, instead of just cutting on you.

No we are not a Toro dealer, however, we may be a dealer of another brand closely associated with Toro. Which for some reason carries a higher price that it's sister brand, Toro.

On another note, please, please, please people, do not take a mower/tractor, more than 20 years old, made by Ford to a repair shop, with all the safety switches dissconnected and bypassed, complain that it won't start, and expect to get it back before newer in season equipment, because IT AIN'T GONNA HAPPEN!

If it's been sitting for 2 years in your barn already, then don't come bit(hing when it's only been located at our shop for 2 months. Things like this are NOT a priority and get worked on only in spare time so as not to stick you with a bill for $600 on labor.

Sorry, one big idiot in the shop can turn a normally quiet polite person into the poster that came out in this thread.

Again, I apologize to the poster that started this thread.

 

..............quite big of you Berans-

I would encourage you to share your valuable point of view often around here.

Too many really don't understand that (dealer perspective) whole segment of the Green Industry.

Frankly, thats one of the last things on some folks minds, when it should be the first.

Kudos.

 

It's like buying a new car. I want to pay the least possible and the dealer wants to get the most he can. When buying my last car the dealer was like "I can't believe we can sell this car this cheap. We paid more than this for it." Give me a break! The same goes with my lawn equip. I want the best machines and service for the least price. That's why you shop around.

 

I think there are too many lawyer shows on TV. Because what we are seeing here is the ADVERSARIAL system of justice, applied to lawn care.

It's like this: In court you have the prosecutor (who will go great lengths to WIN his case....) versus the defense (who will sell out grandma to slither out under the smallest technicality).

The idea is that justice may be found in the middle. Hokay...so we have a down and dirty slugfest between the prosecution and the defense.

Apply the same rationale to the lawn business (or even the retail mower business).

You NEED your customer, so don't fight him and battle him for every nickel.
Customer: Don't battle your lawn company for a bargain basement price.

Same applies to the Dealer - The dealer MUST make a profit to stay in business...otherwise it is not worth his time. The Lawn care dude has to eat and pay his bills...so let him make a profit too. It doesn't have to be ugly!

I want my dealer to give me a fair price - - I also want him to stay in business so he will be there for me. Would I drive 60 miles to save $100 on my mower? NOPE.

Would I hire the kid next door to save $20 a month on having my lawn cut? (if I were to hire it out) - - Nope. Because to me I'd rather pay a lil more and have someone who will be there year after year. Same principle applies to business.

It's also why some folks HATE Wal-Mart

 

As one who has owned retail businesses in the past, although nothing associated with power equipment or service work, I can definitely relate to dealer's problems. Two of my businesses were small grocery stores in small towns, back in the day they could actually turn a small profit. I delivered groceries for a time, and it was amazing how many more people traded with me only when the roads were snow covered. Apparently, they did not eat during good weather.

I agree that we all want a good deal, but I think people can get a bit ridiculous in that regard. Years ago, when a new vehicle was in the $8,000 to $10, 000 range, I've known more than one person who wouldn't trade over a $50 bill. Let's see, that is half of one percent of $10,000, which when you think about it, isn't hardly worth mentioning when you are spending that kind of money. Stop and think about how much mowing you actually have to do to make say, $300. Is $300 really that big a deal when you are spending $7,500 or so anyway?

Now don't get me wrong, I like to save money just as well as the next guy, but I wouldn't back out on buying a mower that I wanted over a couple of hundred bucks. If you divided that money by the expected life in hours of the machine, then you aren't talking much per hour, which kind of puts it in perspective. Just think of the money you will be making with a more productive mower every hour you are running it. Neill

 

Good post Neil.

 

GeeVee, in no way was i comparing fishing reels to lawn mowers, but hey, you know that, right? i was just giving an example, trying to give jwing an idea or two. if anything, the only use of my post would be for people that fish, to get to know the people at Academy to hook them up with some primo fishing gear at cheap prices, and to maybe use some resources to find a good deal on other things.

like i said in my earlier post, the store charges 119 for a reel because people want it and will pay for it because they dont know how to get it any cheaper, just like people will pay X amount on a mower, because they want it and cant get it anywhere else any cheaper. yet, i found a way to get something cheaper, which is useful, because the drag burns up on a fishing reel about every two hardcore fishing trips (i catch alot of fish), so let me see, i buy 4 more for back up and 30 bucks cheaper each, so why not do it. no need to get all technical, but i'm just saying as an example.

good post neil, paying a reasonable price is better than trying to scam, but if you can find a cheaper deal, then do it. but like you said with the cars, why drive to 4 dealerships, spend two hours at each, for 50 bucks or one half of one percent of a 10K car.

back to the fishing reel thing, if you have unlimited quantities of fishing reels for 20 bucks cheaper then the store and it only takes five minutes to fill out the paper to order, then why not do it. the way you reason could go either way.

anyways, jwing, if you can't talk the price down any lower, dont get your panties in a twist, if you need it, or want it, buy it.

 

Lots of good responses here. Beran's- you the man for clarifying your position to John and everyone. As GV said, your insight from "the other side of the fence" could prove to be very helpful to many people here. Too often we think the dealers are making a killing when we buy a $8K mower, and conversely, the dealers think we are making a killing to buy an 8K mower or two. In the words of Paul Harvey," Now we know the rest of the story..."