[schllac]

Is there a difference in the mowers that the big box stoes sell than what you get at a dealers? or are they different models just for those stores, on the cheapo so to say.

 

[Brad]

It depends. Our John Deere dealer says his L riders are the same as the Home Depot. Pretty close in price, too. I'd say there are some machines from different manufacturers that make their machines a bit cheaper per the request of the store.

 

[baron]

I agree, it just depends sometimes. If you check out certain model numbers, they might only show up at said big box store. Now, I guess that doesn't mean that they aren't the same, but I've always heard that what you get at the local dealer is generally better than the big box.

 

[ME2]

I agree, it just depends sometimes. If you check out certain model numbers, they might only show up at said big box store. Now, I guess that doesn't mean that they aren't the same, but I've always heard that what you get at the local dealer is generally better than the big box.

i agree

 

[ryork]

Service is usually one of the things that is better. Not always, but usually.

 

[Mark / Ohio]

....If you check out certain model numbers, they might only show up at said big box store. ....

Ditto! That also goes for appliances and electronics. On those special model runs good luck getting repair parts. In some cases the private dealer even if authorized for the brand cannot get servicing information for those. Nor could they buy those cheap models even if they wanted to. Even on like models the dealer price for the small guy can be higher because he cannot buy 10,000 at a time. Remember, the small guy may be only buying 1-12 of a specific model once or twice a year. We've had times the box store was actually retailing below our dealer cost. This is also one trick the box stores will do to put competition out of business. God help the small guy that gets between two box stores in town playing that game with each other. They just make up for the loss by jacking prices on something else in the store. Also another thing to consider is the dealer actually doing the service for you will with good reason take care of customers that bought from them first (to keep those customers coming back by reducing repair turnaround time as much as possible) and fill in the rest of the time gaps working on box store product.

Where I work (private owned small retailer and warranty authorized servicer of appliances and electronics) if we had a quarter for all the times a customer with a freshly bought box store appliance or electronics reamed our arse for not putting our buying customers on hold to run right out to take care of them, we would be able to retire. Thing is we learned a long time ago those same people even if we bent over backwards for them would next time around run right back to the box store for the next purchase if they could save a penny.

Remember, once the small guy that does service after the sale is gone, either your going to have to fix it yourself or haul whatever it is to the dump and buy new when ever something breaks. The box store's only interest is your buying new and many manufactures are not far behind them in that belief. Especially the manufactures where we would have to cross an ocean to speak face to face with the head honcho.

I'll step off my soap box. Been awhile since I gave that sermon. I feel better now.

 

[Yardman]

One thing my dealer will do; he'll bring up to 3 different models to my property so I can try them all to see which one might be better for my use. (and fit) Ain't no big box store gonna do that! You might think you need that big 60" mower to knock out your property, but when you find out it doesn't fit between the garage and the fence, you might decide the 40" one works better.

Another thing you might try; Home depot sells the small Ariens Zoom 34 for 1,999.00. My dealer lists it for 2,499.00. If I was in the market, I would offer to meet my dealer halfway. He has to make a profit, but he might take the deal if sales haven't been robust. I'd rather spend a little more and keep my dealer in business. If he can't lower his price, he might throw in some free service or something. I would definately try to work with a dealer first.

 

[daytime dave]

I bought my last two push mowers from dealers. The John Deere dealer said the JS45 was the same as Lowes mower. He and Lowes were the same price. When I asked him why I should drive to see him, he lowered his price by ten dollars and said it would be all ready when I got there.
It was all ready. He helped put it in the car and took a quart of oil off the shelf for the first oil change.
The Toro dealer was also great. He also advised that one of the super recycler models I asked about was not one he chose to stock because it was a model that always was troublesome. Good to know.
Both dealers were terrific.
The only dealer I have had problems with was the Ariens dealer I bought a new snow blower from. He simply went out of business. Up until he had business financial problems, he was great as well.

Service after the sale is key.

 

[TooTall999]

I paid full price for my Dixon garden tractor at my local dealers vs. buying online at Home Depot even though the box store price was lower at the time. Why? My dealer is 3 miles down the road from my house. He delivered it to me set up and ready to mow. He also told me if I had any problems at all in the next 3 years he'd do whatever it took to make things right. He has an excellent reputation as a repair shop and dealership and strives to keep it. I don't know where'dI'd get service if I'd bought from HD. It was a no brainer.

 

[remarkb9vkq]

I had one of those Home Depot Special John Deere mowers used it one season and got rid of it before I broke it or it broke me.

 

[ghlkal]

I want to echo what many others have said. At one time I would have purchased at the big box store to save the 15% initially. But, I've discovered that there's NO service or support from the big chains. Now, I'll gladly pay a little more at a dealer or a small business that I know. When I have a problem, I can ask and they know the answer. When I need service, they can provide it. In the long run, it's cheaper and less aggravating to purchase at a dealer/small business.

 

[ME2]

i would go to the dealer myself ....

 

[mikeandpebble1]

box store vs dealer

i purchased new cub cadet in 2008 from dealer i checked the ones at box stores it is a gt2550 the one i got is hydro and shaft drive the ones at box stores were the same except that the dealer had cast iron rear ends and the box store was alum dealer has 3 year warr on theirs box store 1 year dealer also has parts usually on shelf good luck at box stores .i also had the tires loaded and some other things done when i bought it that the box stores can not do. the cadet does a good job i like it . also i needed trans fluid for it had to wait for box store to order it didn't want to run 25 miles to dealer he had it on shelf .

 

[mcgee]

This seem to come up a lot. Many people think because it's a John Deere they are all the same. What I mean is my neighbor bought a John Deere from Lowes and came over to tell me what a great deal he got. I told him it's a nice lawn mower he says no it's a garden tractor. I said no way, if you bought it to cut grass it will be ok. I told him it would not be able to use my ground engagement tool he got mad.

 

[Mark / Ohio]

Yeah, especially the non-mechanical types overlook the weight and build differences from one model to the next. Smaller private dealers tend to worry more about you bringing it back in warranty all irate with a major breakdown. Salesman do have good reason at times when they try to move you to a more expensive model.