When’s a deal done?

[Machman]

So we sell machinery...but we’ve had more people back out on deals in the last few months than I’ve had in 15 years on sales...
So the latest one , a customer asks for quotes to swap a loader tractor, his used one a week down the line develops and issue , so we agree that we will fix it on the deal of the tractor at cost price, lend him a demo tractor over Christmas as long as we order the tractor before Christmas as the price from the manufacturer will be going up by a reasonable amount.
Customer told us to get one ordered, they also confirmed this the next day verbally.

We rang the customer today to say we could do with getting his in to do the repair, as we can’t have the demo out indefinitely...to be told that we are thousands out to another brand, when my rep asked if there was anything we could do with spec...was told that he does a deal he sticks to it...

Our normal procedure is to confirm the order in writing and get an order confirmation signed from the customer, because of the Christmas break this had not been completed.
The second one I’ve had in a few months, the previous had a written order from the cimustoner, a signed confirmation, finance signed..but two managers disagreed and changed there mind, leaving me with a special order tractor in stock...
I’m old and wise enough to know that it’s just one of those things...but am curious to people’s thoughts...

 

[Lincs Lass]

Substantial non returnable deposit of them before you order anything

 

[Machman]

Substantial non returnable deposit of them before you order anything

We’ve never had to previously...but would it make us the odd ones out?

 

[ED.D]

When’s a deal done?
when you shake hands on it.

 

[A1an]

We’ve never had to previously...but would it make us the odd ones out?

If they are serious, they wouldn't mind paying would be my first thought.

 

[startinghandle]

First thing tomorrow morning just turn up on yard and collect your demo

 

[Machman]

When’s a deal done?
when you shake hands on it.

That’s how we have always done business, it’s my reps deal but he’s only a youngster, keen as mustard but it has proper knocked him...I’ve taken the ‘vest LS vie’ approach but it is frustrating

 

[A1an]

When’s a deal done?
when you shake hands on it.

Unfortunately that no longer seems to be the case.

 

[Speedstar]

So we sell machinery...but we’ve had more people back out on deals in the last few months than I’ve had in 15 years on sales...
So the latest one , a customer asks for quotes to swap a loader tractor, his used one a week down the line develops and issue , so we agree that we will fix it on the deal of the tractor at cost price, lend him a demo tractor over Christmas as long as we order the tractor before Christmas as the price from the manufacturer will be going up by a reasonable amount.
Customer told us to get one ordered, they also confirmed this the next day verbally.

We rang the customer today to say we could do with getting his in to do the repair, as we can’t have the demo out indefinitely...to be told that we are thousands out to another brand, when my rep asked if there was anything we could do with spec...was told that he does a deal he sticks to it...

Our normal procedure is to confirm the order in writing and get an order confirmation signed from the customer, because of the Christmas break this had not been completed.
The second one I’ve had in a few months, the previous had a written order from the cimustoner, a signed confirmation, finance signed..but two managers disagreed and changed there mind, leaving me with a special order tractor in stock...
I’m old and wise enough to know that it’s just one of those things...but am curious to people’s thoughts...

You have got to be as good as your word a deal is a deal and once that paper is signed that is it , but we are like you at one time a hand shake and word of mouth was all it took ,but the young ones are not as trust worthy now a days and if in doubt draw up a contract

 

[Lincs Lass]

We’ve never had to previously...but would it make us the odd ones out?

It would make the next potential buyer think twice ,,you now have a special order tractor sat in your depot worth £????? that you might end up having to shift at a reduced price

 

[WisTreemover]

Having sold equipment for years. Unfortunately it's never done until "trades in" is in your yard and check has cleared. Did you have any history with this customer? Over time you learn who you can trust, and who you can't. But it's always tough when it happens.

 

[ED.D]

Unfortunately that no longer seems to be the case.

yeah it’s a shite world we live in now, if the farmer is given an invoice for the use of the demo tractor he’ll think he’s been hard done too.

 

[startinghandle]

Looks like the farmer had no intention of buying new tractor from you just an
Excuse for you to lend him machine

 

[lloyd]

yeah it’s a shite world we live in now, if the farmer is given an invoice for the use of the demo tractor he’ll think he’s been hard done too.

Yeah but how many hours do you call demo?
If farmers taking the p*ss send him a bill.

 

[Drillman]

Works both ways. I did a deal on a new pickup once. Shook hands and wrote a cheque out for a deposit. By time I got home I had an email from sales manager to say they wouldn’t honour it.

Live and learn. I won’t do business with them again and have since bought 2 new vehicles of the same brand from a different dealer.

 

[Serup]

I don’t think i have ever signed anything when i buy something from a dealer, new or used. And i have never been asked for a deposit.
But sometimes they e-mail me an agreement with what we have agreed on, including spec, price, trade ins conditions and delivery date. It also state a lot of things in fine print about what happens if the deal don’t go through. I think it’s like 10% of agreed price for dealer to take it back/keep it. Then i have some days/a week to react if i’m not in agreement with whats on print. I don’t know the law where you are, but here there is a distinct difference in an offer and an agreement, that you as a buyer has to be very aware of if someone is a little too hasty.

 

[Machman]

Yeah but how many hours do you call demo?
If farmers taking the p*ss send him a bill.

It’s very frustrating, as it pretty sure the competition had already given a quote but then found some extra off Santa , but if there’s a tonne of hours I’ll be sending an invoice!

 

[Chae1]

You have got to be as good as your word a deal is a deal and once that paper is signed that is it , but we are like you at one time a hand shake and word of mouth was all it took ,but the young ones are not as trust worthy now a days and if in doubt draw up a contract

Its strange some people's attitudes/morals. I'd a salesman comeback into yard with a lower price for a machine after he knew I'd dealt with someone else. I refused to even look at it.

 

[Machman]

Having sold equipment for years. Unfortunately it's never done until "trades in" is in your yard and check has cleared. Did you have any history with this customer? Over time you learn who you can trust, and who you can't. But it's always tough when it happens.

Only parts business, but you have to keep finding new customers eh!

 

[celtis man]

I find these days that there is always some bright bugger out there ready to pull another man's deal apart, I hate it when you think you have done alright then someone gets onto my brother and says so and so said this or that and then tells me I ought to not buy this we should buy the other [emoji35]
I have developed quite a thick skin over it!

 

[startinghandle]

Works both ways. I did a deal on a new pickup once. Shook hands and wrote a cheque out for a deposit. By time I got home I had an email from sales manager to say they wouldn’t honour it.

Live and learn. I won’t do business with them again and have since bought 2 new vehicles of the same brand from a different dealer.

Did the sales manager have telling off
From his boss