With the complexities of modern vehicles, it takes a lot of cash flow just to justify paying for all of the training and equipment to service the vehicles. And it costs the small dealers as much as the large ones. Ergo, some of the small dealers simply can't afford it.
Twenty years ago, I was briefly Service Manager for a small local Ford dealer. The Sales Department didn't have that much inventory. They couldn't afford it. I was trying to support the entire business with the service department and it didn't work. I had it headed in the right direction, but I had too little, too late.
On payday, it was a race to the bank to get your check cashed before they started to bounce. I went to work at the usual 7:30 one morning, and about 8:15 it dawned on me the phone wasn't ringing as it usually did that time of day. I picked up the phone and it was dead. It had been shut off. We managed to get the bill paid so it was turned back on.
The place was finally sold, and I was job hunting because the new owner brought his own management people. He offered me the body shop, but I'd had dealings with him before and didn't like him or his terms.
Much as I hate to see the small, friendly dealers crowded out, and much as I have fond memories of that situation, I have to ask it. Is this really the kind of operation you want working on your new $30,000 vehicle?
That particular dealership has since been bought again by someone well-heeled enough to put up a whole new building and operation out by the Interstate, five miles from the original.
We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]
Today's Featured Article - 12-Volt Conversions for 4-Cylinder Ford 2000 & 4000 Tractors - by Tommy Duvall. After two summers of having to park my old 1964 model 4000 gas 4 cyl. on a hill just in case the 6 volt system, for whatever reason, would not crank her, I decided to try the 12 volt conversion. After some research of convert or not, I decided to go ahead, the main reason being that this tractor was a working tractor, not a show tractor (yet). I did keep everything I replaced for the day I do want to restore her to showroom condition.
... [Read Article]
Latest Ad:
1964 I-H 140 tractor with cultivators and sidedresser. Starts and runs good. Asking 2650. CALL RON AT 502-319-1952
[More Ads]
All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy
TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.
