Do landscape machinery dealers perform in the online world ?

Stuart, that's my worry that they give you an avenue to contact them and then technology takes over - I bet you're right - our enquiry (and others ?) could be quite easily be sitting in their spam folder unanswered. mmhhh

David, we use Kombi system - have a few of them (inc 4Mix). Love the flexibility, love the attachments, basically love 'em all...Good source is F R Jones & Sons in S/E London. Prices beat most I've seen. Del is fixed at 8.95 no matter what.

Stuart said:

Gary I emailed Scotts today about a query regarding a domestic drop spreader the Evengreen spreader which is sold under Scotts.
I thought I would ask about the setting for a commercial product (Greenmaster fertiliser) for this machine.
I was surprised to see a returned email from their technical area sales manager which was sent at 7.20pm and within the email are the settings for my drop spreader. Thumbs up to Scotts!!

I have had a few that never returned emails and one being a well known manufacturer of commercial mowers. I do wonder if they have a spam filter or something like this.

Part of the reason was lack of time (initially !) and I wanted to get to a number of dealers, bypass any sales bs and get consistent answers (availability, trade list price) in email, allowing me to take it further.

When dealers offer an 'online' access they must be in a position to service it or it's pointless (as I am finding out).

Once ready, that is the time to discuss a deal over the phone or face to face (I have already pointed this out to the Sales Director at one of the Dealers in a phone call earlier)

I bought the subject up as an example of setting customer expectations and then failing to deliver - something which is a no-no a the moment.....

Pro Gard said:

Gary, why not just phone? this way you get a proper answer and the benefit of speaking to a real person particularly if you are in a rush for the machine.

Replies

David Cox October 6, 2010 at 8:34pm

I just used GTEK UK, to get a replacement combi-system / hedge and pole pruner, they were good, and even delivered to my front door at 9am - not bad service at all.

John - how do you find the Combi system? I'm loving its versatility, but still some people I meet seem to ridicule it.
PRO

Gary RK October 6, 2010 at 8:38pm

Stuart, that's my worry that they give you an avenue to contact them and then technology takes over - I bet you're right - our enquiry (and others ?) could be quite easily be sitting in their spam folder unanswered. mmhhh

David, we use Kombi system - have a few of them (inc 4Mix). Love the flexibility, love the attachments, basically love 'em all...Good source is F R Jones & Sons in S/E London. Prices beat most I've seen. Del is fixed at 8.95 no matter what.

Stuart said:
Gary I emailed Scotts today about a query regarding a domestic drop spreader the Evengreen spreader which is sold under Scotts.
I thought I would ask about the setting for a commercial product (Greenmaster fertiliser) for this machine.
I was surprised to see a returned email from their technical area sales manager which was sent at 7.20pm and within the email are the settings for my drop spreader. Thumbs up to Scotts!!

I have had a few that never returned emails and one being a well known manufacturer of commercial mowers. I do wonder if they have a spam filter or something like this.
David Cox October 6, 2010 at 8:47pm

Will look into that supplier - thanks.

Bang on - the flex to have one engine and for the day just load up with the ends I need, usually no more than 2 with good planning. Its deff one of those tools you get attached (hahahaha......... ahem) to.
To think I had one customer refuse to belive me how dear they are, and claim to have seen the whole system for about 300 - turned out to be Ryobi.

Back on topic - If found smaller suppliers tend to be the best at customer care.
PRO

Gary RK October 6, 2010 at 9:37pm

Part of the reason was lack of time (initially !) and I wanted to get to a number of dealers, bypass any sales bs and get consistent answers (availability, trade list price) in email, allowing me to take it further.

When dealers offer an 'online' access they must be in a position to service it or it's pointless (as I am finding out).

Once ready, that is the time to discuss a deal over the phone or face to face (I have already pointed this out to the Sales Director at one of the Dealers in a phone call earlier)

I bought the subject up as an example of setting customer expectations and then failing to deliver - something which is a no-no a the moment.....

Pro Gard said:
Gary, why not just phone? this way you get a proper answer and the benefit of speaking to a real person particularly if you are in a rush for the machine.
PRO

Gary RK October 6, 2010 at 10:04pm

When the dealers are geographically dispersed, can you afford the time to make multiple visits to just gain availability, pricing information etc?

The plan was then to wittle it down and then go face to face to make the deal....