Why don't dealers get back to you?!

[startinghandle]

In 2003 I called at teme valley tractors
in Welshpool to enquire what handlers they had Martin Hall who is the boss told me he had deals in progress so he took my phone number and told me I would be
definitely hearing from him , I am still
Waiting
I did buy matbro telegram 3 from the private ads in farmers guardian
Also I do know anyone who gets a visit from smithy at RVW Pugh has to consider themselves highly honoured

 

[kiwi pom]

Not sticking up for them at all but I wonder what life is actually like as a salesperson for a dealership? As with most things there's probably not quite enough of them to handle the job. The deal probably needs signing off by the top man and he only wants to see genuine deals etc.
I'd imagine a lot of their time is also spent sorting out orders and logistics, getting the service department to sort out the trades and PDI/build up orders etc.
A good salesperson can sell anything, would they want to be in the Ag machinery business?
Anyone give a ballpark figure of what they actually earn?

 

[Cowabunga]

Makes you laugh at shows the arrogance of some sales reps, stuffing there faces with cake and cups of tea, chatting away too OAPs that probably haven’t farmed for 10 years and you loiter around a bit of kit you want too know more about, maybe kick the tyres a bit, play with a few bits on it to kill time...they’ve clearly seen you but have no interest in coming over too talk ??‍

Why don’t you go to talk to them?

 

[Barleymow]

I emailed Brocks last year about a machine, had a missed call and reply within 90 mins.I called back that afternoon to discuss machine, rang back 8am and did a deal machine arrived 5hrs later 40 miles away

 

[Flat 10]

I have found all those 2nd hand mach dealers excellent, brocks, agri linc, Ellis etc etc
Too expensive but spot on to deal with.

 

[Flat 10]

Not sticking up for them at all but I wonder what life is actually like as a salesperson for a dealership? As with most things there's probably not quite enough of them to handle the job. The deal probably needs signing off by the top man and he only wants to see genuine deals etc.
I'd imagine a lot of their time is also spent sorting out orders and logistics, getting the service department to sort out the trades and PDI/build up orders etc.
A good salesperson can sell anything, would they want to be in the Ag machinery business?
Anyone give a ballpark figure of what they actually earn?

God knows. Always seem to be sat in the local dealership drinking tea.

 

[Recoil]

Got to say the keenest dealers i've dealt with were J E Rees in Llandysul. Good to deal with and will always get back to you with prices. Even though they are over an hour away from me, i'd rather visit them to buy equipment than some local dealers who can't be arsed to call back with prices.

I was looking for a mower last year and visited a few dealers. J E Rees were great and told me prices and showed me around, Frank Sutton in Raglan were also great and took time to show me the mowers and which would be best for me (although I guess that is kind of their job) and then I called in Riverlea, Raglan. Salesman was not there so I left my details but never heard anything back. Put me off them. Still haven't bought the mower, but I will be going to J E Rees for one just because they are good to deal with.

We did have a lovely guy working for Ted Hopkins who has now sadly left and he was the only reason we kept buying from them because their prices were a bit high. I don't even know who the salesman for them is anymore. The old rep used to show up every few months and see if we needed anything.

 

[Chae1]

I would hate to be a agricultural salesperson. Can't think of a much worse job than dealing with listening to farmers moaning. Who are always looking to pull a fast one on you.

 

[Dave W]

I would hate to be a agricultural salesperson. Can't think of a much worse job than dealing with listening to farmers moaning. Who are always looking to pull a fast one on you.

Yes. There's definitely 2 sides to this thread

 

[TripleSix]

I would hate to be a agricultural salesperson. Can't think of a much worse job than dealing with listening to farmers moaning. Who are always looking to pull a fast one on you.

How you're spoken to by some farmers, and builders.

Phone rings, you answer, straight away

"This machine you sold me, it's bloody crap, you're useless, worst thing ever, I want a man here now to sort it rah rah rah"

Usually either a cheap trade in machine that was sold as seen or a brand new machine that has developed a small oil leak or the customer has bent or broken a part of it...

 

[Chae1]

How you're spoken to by some farmers, and builders.

Phone rings, you answer, straight away

"This machine you sold me, it's bloody crap, you're useless, worst thing ever, I want a man here now to sort it rah rah rah"

Usually either a cheap trade in machine that was sold as seen or a brand new machine that has developed a small oil leak or the customer has bent or broken a part of it...

Always see the usual suspects on here advertising for something cheap, but in good working order, off farm.

Then the threads start with them moaning. The sprayer and missing nozzles was a ideal example.

 

[farmerdan7618]

I suppose all of the sales reps need a bit of a filter to weed out the tyre kickers who have no intention of buying.

I did a few deals on kit when I was in my early 20's, and generally went with doing the research at local shows or popping in to the dealer and picking up a leaflet.

Never called a rep unless there was a real chance of buying, although had a couple of instances where that clearly wasn't taken seriously.

One was a tractor, were considering a change of brand as the local dealer was closing the branch near us. Wanted a demo before making that jump so as to know what the other brand was like to spend the day in, and spent best part of 3 weeks trying to get one on farm. Rep eventually called and said we could have a demo another month later, and was politely told that they were not responsive enough and a deal had been done in the meantime.

Saw them a couple of weeks later at market, and said rep came over to me and apologised about the delay on the tractor, and if they had any other kit that we were looking for in the future could he have another chance.

Not being one to bear a grudge I thought this was a pretty good show from them, and was looking at telehandlers at a local show later in the year. Said rep was on the stand, so I went and got a leaflet from him and had a quick chat. Called once the Manitou had been shortlisted and had a demo over the next weekend before buying the machine. Had a good relationship with the rep after that as they realised there wouldn't be an enquiry if a sale wasn't possible.

The Merlo dealer at the same show didn't have a leaflet on the stand, so the address was left to post one out. Didn't get one in the post, but some 4 months later their rep turned up to hand deliver it. Unfortunately they parked next to the newly delivered Manitou, and their words were 'I think I already know the answer, but I've got that leaflet you asked for at the show. I should have been out a few months ago'

Moral of the story, if you aren't prepared to buy, don't enquire. And everyone is human, so give a second chance. (Wouldn't give a third chance though)

 

[Dave W]

Always see the usual suspects on here advertising for something cheap, but in good working order, off farm.

Then the threads start with them moaning. The sprayer and missing nozzles was a ideal example.

The man with the sprayer was perfectly justified. Paid good money for a machine in working order off a big dealer. Dealer tried to fob him off with something they'd not even had running

 

[BDBed]

Strange, Dave Hart (Cordex) has always been very helpful and informative with us.

I think coronavirus has really effected Cordex! So no fault of Dave and his team. But one thing is for sure he’s an absolute pleasure to deal with and can’t do enough for you. Will always be my product of choice because of Dave!

 

[Grassman]

I find whatsapp or text a more effective communication than email or phone. Its in writing and its in front of the persons face and very easy to reply from both sides

 

[Robt]

Not sticking up for them at all but I wonder what life is actually like as a salesperson for a dealership? As with most things there's probably not quite enough of them to handle the job. The deal probably needs signing off by the top man and he only wants to see genuine deals etc.
I'd imagine a lot of their time is also spent sorting out orders and logistics, getting the service department to sort out the trades and PDI/build up orders etc.
A good salesperson can sell anything, would they want to be in the Ag machinery business?
Anyone give a ballpark figure of what they actually earn?

Dealer sales anything from £20k to £70k it’s that vague I’m afraid, depends on area and what they sell. Generally there is more RGP in used sales (retained gross profit )

 

[nick...]

I have found all those 2nd hand mach dealers excellent, brocks, agri linc, Ellis etc etc
Too expensive but spot on to deal with.

I agree,main dealers could learn something from them.dealt with brocks and agri linc and felt valued and had faultless service and help
Nick...

 

[nick...]

Not just ag dealers.had a visit from a large door and window company last Thursday about my faulty electric garage door.i agreed with fitter it needs replacing and he took pictures and measurements and said someone will call me as soon as he got back to Diss,about 9 miles away. He must be taking a long route as now 8 days and heard nothing.another firm will be getting a call this morning.
Nick...

 

[Fendt516profi]

I agree,main dealers could learn something from them.dealt with brocks and agri linc and felt valued and had faultless service and help
Nick...

Bought some stuff of agrilinc last year, around Christmas this

Turned up. Probably not a massive cost to them but was a nice surprise and gave a impression that they appreciated my business (probably add up over there list of customers)

 

[nick...]

That’s very genourous of them.i got a lovely box of fudge at Xmas after buying my inverta and they also sent me a hamper probably for posting lots of pics of machine working and singing it’s praises.they also used one of my photos in their advertising too.they will be my go to firm for any machinery I may require too.avenue agricultural the spares people would put bags of sweets in with earthwearing part deliveries too.that was also a great gesture.i know we end up paying fir it but it does make you feel valued I think.
Nick...