Cub Cadet vs John Deere

[KLB]

You should see my cheap-o Ford Escape.

I have

 

[actaeon277]

I have

not in a while.

I finally got the front mounted spare tire, to the back.
And I added a 198 watt light bar to the front.
And two 35 watt light bars to the back.

 

[Ingomike]

So what have we learned here?

I learned that there are a bunch of cheapskates, that to save a buck, are happy to buy from a big box store rather than a local dealer that hires full time employees, offers service, and local parts. (Although due to the cheapskates buying online dealers now cannot afford to stock what they once did.)

 

[DoggyDaddy]

So what have we learned here?

I learned that there are a bunch of cheapskates, that to save a buck, are happy to buy from a big box store rather than a local dealer that hires full time employees, offers service, and local parts. (Although due to the cheapskates buying online dealers now cannot afford to stock what they once did.)

That's not entirely fair. Not everyone has the disposable income or the need to drop $3-4K (or more) on a mower. For those folks, the big box stores serve a purpose.

 

[KLB]

To each their own. I do not understand the need to sit in judgment of others on so many topics.

 

[actaeon277]

So what have we learned here?

I learned that there are a bunch of cheapskates, that to save a buck, are happy to buy from a big box store rather than a local dealer that hires full time employees, offers service, and local parts. (Although due to the cheapskates buying online dealers now cannot afford to stock what they once did.)

My 100 series came from a dealer.
And was serviced by the dealer.
What's your point?

 

[Ingomike]

My 100 series came from a dealer.
And was serviced by the dealer.
What's your point?

You valued the local dealer system and used it, even if it is a few bucks more. Some would rather work with impersonal big box stores, sometimes just for perceived savings...

 

[DoggyDaddy]

My 100 series came from a dealer.
And was serviced by the dealer.
What's your point?

Mine too.

 

[Ingomike]

That's not entirely fair. Not everyone has the disposable income or the need to drop $3-4K (or more) on a mower. For those folks, the big box stores serve a purpose.

I would hope we could keep it apples to apples. If one needs a $100 mower, for example, go get it at the big box store, there are logical reason to do so. The topic is $3000 mowers what is best.

 

[DoggyDaddy]

I would hope we could keep it apples to apples. If one needs a $100 mower, for example, go get it at the big box store, there are logical reason to do so. The topic is $3000 mowers what is best.

I understand, but if we are talking apples to apples (say for a 100 series JD) the savings might make a difference to some people. I did get mine from a dealer, just as actaeon did, but for some folks, saving the extra money might make the difference between owning a JD and owning a Yard Machine.

 

[actaeon277]

Mine too.

Sure.
Just jump on my coattails.

 

[DoggyDaddy]

Sure.
Just jump on my coattails.

Well if you don't want me to jump on them, tuck them in!

 

[Ingomike]

I understand, but if we are talking apples to apples (say for a 100 series JD) the savings might make a difference to some people. I did get mine from a dealer, just as actaeon did, but for some folks, saving the extra money might make the difference between owning a JD and owning a Yard Machine.

I have personally never seen much difference in price for the same models, dealer vs. big box, but I don't shop bigger mowers often. A Toro snow blower was $50 difference and that dealer will put his customers to the top of the list. 10-15% difference the get better service is in my value system and I support the local community and jobs.

 

[DoggyDaddy]

I have personally never seen much difference in price for the same models, dealer vs. big box, but I don't shop bigger mowers often. A Toro snow blower was $50 difference and that dealer will put his customers to the top of the list. 10-15% difference the get better service is in my value system and I support the local community and jobs.

But you know that Toro is just another MTD brand now, right? Regardless of whether it comes from a dealer or big box? The old Toro is dead. And do the people working at big box stores not belong to the local community?

 

[Ingomike]

But you know that Toro is just another MTD brand now, right? Regardless of whether it comes from a dealer or big box? The old Toro is dead. And do the people working at big box stores not belong to the local community?

Last I read Toro was contracting out to them. And just why would that be? Maybe because people prefer to buy throw away crap from China sold at big boxes instead of quality.

Show me the community enhanced with big box stores and their part time low pay jobs...

 

[DoggyDaddy]

Show me the community enhanced with big box stores and their part time low pay jobs...

I'd reckon the people working those jobs must be happier to have them than sitting on their butts at home getting the government dole or extended enhanced unemployment benefits. What benefits the community more? A small mom & pop shop that employs 10 people, or a big box store that employs 500 people, albeit at (maybe) a lower wage?

Look, if you want to support the mom & pop shops, that's cool! If you want to be a brand snob, that's cool too. Just realize that those things aren't an option for everyone.

 

[Ingomike]

I'd reckon the people working those jobs must be happier to have them than sitting on their butts at home getting the government dole or extended enhanced unemployment benefits. What benefits the community more? A small mom & pop shop that employs 10 people, or a big box store that employs 500 people, albeit at (maybe) a lower wage?

Look, if you want to support the mom & pop shops, that's cool! If you want to be a brand snob, that's cool too. Just realize that those things aren't an option for everyone.

We have all seen the destruction of towns across the country by those big box stores who through quantity buying and their cheap labor schemes put dozens of small businesses out of business and their 10 livable full time jobs lost to 500 part time non livable wage welfare collecting employees. Yep, support that...

The average WM superstore costs taxpayers 1-1.75 million dollars a year in public assistance for their employees. The mom and pop they put out of business, their employees did not collect government assistance. None of the employees at my families lawn tractor store were on public assistance...

Which is why I couldn't care less if one billionaire dick screws over the other billionaire dicks...

Thread hijack over for me.

 

[Tactically Fat]

But you know that Toro is just another MTD brand now, right? Regardless of whether it comes from a dealer or big box? The old Toro is dead. And do the people working at big box stores not belong to the local community?

Toro is not an MTD brand. Sorry.

Brands

MTD’s family of brands offers a range of lawn and garden products to inspire people all over the world to care for and enjoy the outdoors.

www.mtdproducts.com

I know that I get Toro and Troy-Bilt, which IS an MTD brand, confused in my head a lot.

Toro: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toro_(company)

THAT said - the lower end Toro equipment sold at Home Depot does appear to be made by MTD on contract. (from the Wiki link)

Guess that means that it all depends on if any particular Toro implement is MTD or not. But keep in mind that even if a sub contractor makes a "thing" then that thing still must meet exacting specifications.

 

[DoggyDaddy]

Toro is not an MTD brand. Sorry.

Brands

MTD’s family of brands offers a range of lawn and garden products to inspire people all over the world to care for and enjoy the outdoors.

www.mtdproducts.com

I know that I get Toro and Troy-Bilt, which IS an MTD brand, confused in my head a lot.

Toro: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toro_(company)

THAT said - the lower end Toro equipment sold at Home Depot does appear to be made by MTD on contract. (from the Wiki link)

Guess that means that it all depends on if any particular Toro implement is MTD or not. But keep in mind that even if a sub contractor makes a "thing" then that thing still must meet exacting specifications.

Maybe I was thinking of Troy-Bilt, but as you said, MTD does make the lower end Toro stuff, but as you also pointed out, under contract.

 

[WebSnyper]

I have personally never seen much difference in price for the same models, dealer vs. big box, but I don't shop bigger mowers often. A Toro snow blower was $50 difference and that dealer will put his customers to the top of the list. 10-15% difference the get better service is in my value system and I support the local community and jobs.

Bought my Bad Boy ZTR from a dealer. I actually looked at more than 1 dealer, and researched both the brand a bit and the dealers.

I actually would have spent more and bought a Hustler, but the only dealer in my area for those had a very bad reputation, with many people saying they experienced shady business practices. There was no way I was going to buy there.

So I went with my second choice of manufacturer/model to go with a dealer in the area I preferred with a good reputation. (There was more than 1 dealer in the area as well as big box availability but went with the dealer who had good reviews and seemed like a great guy when we spoke). Will get it serviced there this winter and see how they do.

Before that I had a self propelled mower I bought at a different dealer who did me well and always put purchasing customers first in line for service when needed. He just didn't have anything in the same class of manufacturer when I was looking for a ZTR.

When spending fairly substantial money, I definitely look for a reputable dealer to stand behind the product. That said, not everyone can afford to do that, and how other folks spend there money is up to them.