What’s in landscape contractors’ heads as they select which brand of skid-steer, compact track loader, mini excavator or other machine to buy? We found out.
Dealer reliability
A contractor’s first interaction is not with the equipment itself but the dealership that sells and services it. Hence, everything revolves around the dealer, landscape contractors say.
Tim Groenewold, owner of CT Lawn & Landscape in Bethel, Conn., says a savvy, trustworthy dealer is the top factor that sways him when buying equipment. Contractors like dealers local, responsive and accommodating.
“I’m buying what they sell and service because I need a dealer that will be able to turn things around for me overnight, and I need support after the sale,” Groenewold says.
Dave Goodsell, sales manager for equipment dealer Bobcat of Omaha (Neb.), knows that when equipment goes down, contractors are losing money. His dealership keeps about 90 percent of parts stocked and offers a rental fleet to keep customers working. “Anyone can sell the first (machine), but customer service, shop guys and parts guys sell the third and fourth one,” he says.
Photo: ©iStock.com/alfexe
