No longer a dealer

Web Enterprises, Dayton VA, is not longer an AGCO dealer.  I got a letter in the mail yesterday.  I met the owner there and he was one of the smartest dealers I've ever met.  He was pretty ticked at AGCO for not making different color tractors, (especially Oliver green), and that was just before AGCO dropped orange.  I wonder what happened.

I can only imagine how hard that decision was for him.  I just know how hard it was for Pop and me.  It was the right one but I really wish there would have been another way we could have stayed.

The good folks at Web got pushed around quite a bit by AGCO during the "phase out" of Agco tractors, and I would be surprised if that didn't put a bad taste in their mouth.  I haven't been down there in several months, but have seen in the newspaper that they were taken over by Binkley and Hurst who are big Case IH and McCormick dealers from Lititz Pennsylvania.  They also handle some Agco products, but they're mainly known for red equipment.

  My personal feeling is that Binkley & Hurst is Agco's shill, especially since they are headquartered more than 200 miles away.  There are very few other dealers of AGCO products left in this area, and they are probably begging for someone to front a large dealership.

We lost two dealers close to here. I think Agco is making a huge mistake by making everything red. The local dealer said he told them that he could sell a lot more orange tractors than red ones but they never listen. 

   You wanna see alack of dealers, look at Indiana. Last time I looked there was a total of FOUR dealers for the whole state ! How can you have only 4 dealers in one of the largest agricultural states in the country ?

Edited by Rfdeere - 12 May 2011 at 1:20am

Rushville has two! Fraley and Laker. Within a mile or 2 of each other! That is some smart business plan!

wonder what it would take...to start a new dealership?

2 or 3 million, in liquid assets. If you had that kind of cash on hand, why deal with the crap? Lanny   Mid TN

Dale-OH wrote: Indiana has more than 4 AGCO Dealers,  Laker Farm Implement in Rushville, Fraley has 2 stores one in rushville and another but I forget what town, Affolders in Berne, Plevna Implement, Rudolph, Plus All of the MacAllister Stores, I know I am missing some but that is just what I can think of sitting here.

 

My relatives and I do alot of business with Plevna. They are good people and interested in helping you.

SHAMELESS wrote: wonder what it would take...to start a new dealership?

A lot of money AND a good buisness plan. Brinkley and Hurst got the AGCO dealership and set out to take over the world. My family's dealership 100 years strong and 60 miles from Brinkley and Hurst and they bought the market here. In other words they set out to get all of the farm equipment buisness here by selling at or below cost. Then once they have no compatition they can sell for what ever they want. Meanwile AGCO raises the little dealers requirments and the next thing you know the little dealer closes up. We are fortunate in that the lawn and garden and hobby farmer market here is strong. Say what you will about Massey, the hobby farmers love them.