Local Dealer Let Down

toyman · #1 11-18-2009, 07:48 AM

I have a local dealer convenient to me. The owner is relatively personable, but can be a little gruff every now and again, which is fine with me. I've gotten most of my new parts from him for my 2 - 70's and the 1862 since his prices are the same or less than the prices I find on the net. Anyway, I stopped in for a few parts to rebuild the steering on my 70. He had the bearing cups, but not the bushing and gasket at the top of the steering tube. I take the cups, and he says he has to get an order in shortly and can get the other 2 parts I need. I think the total on them was going to around $5. I tell him sure, get them. Then he gives me an "oh, by the way" shipping will be $5.

Really? You're placing an order already, and you want me to pay more for shipping than the parts? I almost asked him to just restock his parts and I'll come back next week and just pay his price without shipping like I did for the cups? I like buying local, for convenience, knowledge, and general bs'ing, but that sort of turned me to the net for my future purchases.

Yosemite Sam · #2 11-18-2009, 10:24 AM

I agree, I like to buy locally myself, I believe it's good for the community. That kinda thing just ain't right.

I think I would have said, no thank you, bought the parts in hand and left.

Not sure it's any help to you now, but most of the steering gear parts are the same from green tractors, and the green dealer charges less money for them too. Tell them you have a JD 110.

toyman · #3 11-18-2009, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yosemite Sam

I agree, I like to buy locally myself, I believe it's good for the community. That kinda thing just ain't right.

I think I would have said, no thank you, bought the parts in hand and left.

Not sure it's any help to you now, but most of the steering gear parts are the same from green tractors, and the green dealer charges less money for them too. Tell them you have a JD 110.

That's exactly what I did, I told him no thanks on the order and took the cups and left. I knew about the greene parts, and checked them out also. They are marginally less expensive and the dealer is a bit further, so it's a push pricewise, but as I think of it, the guys at the greene store have been pretty good to me, (I have a greenie) and they also have a 1947 Farmall Cub I've been wanting to bring home. Could be a win/win

jfinney · #4 11-18-2009, 07:30 PM

Toyman,
Sorry to hear about your experience? Where are you in PA? Which Cub Cadet dealer do you go to? I wouldn't have paid for shipping either.
Jason

MBounds · #5 11-19-2009, 08:14 AM

Wild Bill and others:

There are two types of parts orders at Cub Cadet Dealers: 1) Special Order which requires a shipping charge. 2) Stock Order in which MTD/Cub Cadet pays the shipping and there is no shipping charge to the Dealer!!

Many Cub Cadet dealers like to boost the bottom line by charging the average unknowing customer for shipping on parts from Stock Orders. It's like free money for them...

I always specify I want any parts as part of a stock order and will not pay any shipping charge up front at the time I order the part...that usually solves the problem ahead of time.

Myron B

toyman · #6 11-19-2009, 09:07 AM

Wild Bill - thanks for the info. My local TSC has the 3/4" bearings for $3, which is less expensive than the CC part.

Jason - rather not "out" the dealer. He has been around forever, so he does know the IH CC's also.

MBounds - I would fully expect to pay a 'reasonable' shipping charge on a special order item. These were/are items he normally keeps on stock, which I've purchased from him before. I actually used the receipt from my last order for the part numbers. Either way, even this was considered a 'special order' I would still just order off the net and save a few dollars.

With Wild Bills suggestion about the 3/4" bearing, I'll probably just make the gasket from sill sealer like I did for the seal for the lever & bolt assembly.

lonnyb · #7 11-19-2009, 06:33 PM

My local dealer charges for shipping on any item you order even if it is an item he normaly stocks but happens to be out of at the time.

On the large items I just waite untill he orders his normal yearly items, than I am not charged shipping.

cj4200 · #8 11-20-2009, 10:38 PM

That's just not right. If I want to pay shipping I will buy off the web or out of a catalog. I have worked in retail in the past and now I am in retail in construction and I will tell you the cost of getting the product to the store is always worked into the price. There's to much risk in trying to make some pocket change by charging extra shipping. They never know when doing something like that will lose them a big sale. People like this are just greedy.

johncub7172 · #9 04-17-2010, 10:19 AM

For a small few parts like that, 5 bucks should get the parts deliverd to your door and not need to even go to the store to get them. That shipping charge for that was too much. If the dealer wanted the sale, one would think he is responsiable for fetching the part. Then again, my local dealer just dont carry all these parts in stock because demand is not there. Good topic.

toyman · #10 04-17-2010, 11:00 AM

Funny, I'm waiting to leave to go to my dealer and this is old thread is at the top of the new post list. Since my last issue with this dealer, I call with my part numbers ahead of time to see if he has them in stock. If he does I get the prices and will go get them if he's competitive. Otherwise, I order off the net. Today, he had the parts I need and decent pricing, plus it will keep me working today.