Which buy is better

Comparing cost and quality is it better to buy a riding lawn mower from a dealer or a big discount store. Thanks.

I've read enough on this subject to lead me to believe dealer is the way to go. From what I've read, dealers get higher quality models than the box stores. The box store is going to send you to the dealer for warranty work. Just as well build a relationship with them to start with. I personally go Craigslist and buy older used. Let someone else eat the depreciation.
AaronSEIA

amen

My JD 1330 snowblower was the same price at Menards as my JD dealer BUT the dealer added $240 for setup after I bought it. Just go to the right dealer.

If your buying the same model the only advantage is the service/warranty the dealer will give you. What you buy at the big box store will get pawned off on the closest dealer. His customers will get serviced first. It is just a fact of life.

Now the more serious issue. The stuff sold in the big box stores is the better quality low end stuff. Your not buying a premium mower/snow blower like the better series the dealer can sell you. I usually do not like the quality of the stuff sold at the box stores. I buy the high quality stuff and keep it basically forever.

I usually watch and buy the premium equipment with little usage. You get more bang for your buck that way.

The warranty is not that big of a deal on the better equipment. You usually have very little trouble with it anyway. Plus the premium equipment has a longer warranty period anyway. So you may still get the same time under warranty even with it being used.

Example is the X728 mowers they have a seven year power train warranty. The Box story stuff is just two years usually.

Having loaded and worked with Craftsman, Husqavarna, Poulan and all the brands from American Yard Products, I can say that nothing is separated when pulling inventory. It is all pulled directly from the warehouse and loaded on the trucks from the same inventory. Lowe's, Sears, K-Mart, or whatever, it does not matter.

No matter how good the quality of the product, it will eventually need service. I would recommend buying from a dealer.
Pete

Buy two or three sheep. Ha Ha ! Go to a dealer , and buy a good one.

Dealer. If you need warranty work,it's going to end up at the dealer anyway.

Couple of years ago I bought a new chainsaw from a dealer. I was told that after about 10 hours to bring it in and they would check it over and adjust the carb if needed. The day I took it in another guy was in front of me basically getting the same thing done on a saw he had purchased at Fleet Farm. The shop guy told him a week to 10 days explaining that they were very busy. When it was my turn he told me "tomorrow after lunch". I said hey you just told that guy......the reply was a simple "he didn't buy his here". Funny thing was this guy didn't save more that a few bucks buying at a box store.

Yep I'm with the others here. Go with your local dealer. Not only will you get better service after the sale most often, when you do need service he will still be there and in business.

Rick

I bought from a small dealer, great service never left his shop, without settling up. I went in with a lawn mower problem on a Saturday. There was a line of people waiting their turn. He saw me in line walked out from behind the counter, asked what was wrong with the mower, fixed it, in about 10 mins. He said no charge I handed him a $10 and left. He took care of people that bought from him and I took care of him and respected his business Good Dealer only

I bought a rider from the dealer, it was almost the same price as big box stores. Dealer told me the difference was the units he sells are assembled by a qualified person not a store clerk, and second when your box store units breaks under warranty it comes to him, and who's unit is he going to work on first? The person who bought from him or the person who bought from the box store!

(quoted from post at 08:00:50 02/23/14) I bought a rider from the dealer, it was almost the same price as big box stores. Dealer told me the difference was the units he sells are assembled by a qualified person not a store clerk, and second when your box store units breaks under warranty it comes to him, and who's unit is he going to work on first? The person who bought from him or the person who bought from the box store!

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See Cargogaters post above!

Just go to the lil guy......when he goes out of business who's going to move into his store front??? Tobacco shop? Pawn shop? Porn shop? Then you'll be standing there scratching your head wondering why he didn't make it ?? Just saying

(quoted from post at 05:16:36 02/23/14) Having loaded and worked with Craftsman, Husqavarna, Poulan and all the brands from American Yard Products, I can say that nothing is separated when pulling inventory. It is all pulled directly from the warehouse and loaded on the trucks from the same inventory. Lowe's, Sears, K-Mart, or whatever, it does not matter.

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Well all the brand you mentioned are not a Premium lawn equipment. They are the same unit as you would buy at the box store. Try getting any warranty from the big box store.

(quoted from post at 16:30:31 02/23/14)

(quoted from post at 08:00:50 02/23/14) I bought a rider from the dealer, it was almost the same price as big box stores. Dealer told me the difference was the units he sells are assembled by a qualified person not a store clerk, and second when your box store units breaks under warranty it comes to him, and who's unit is he going to work on first? The person who bought from him or the person who bought from the box store!

Click to expand...

See Cargogaters post above!

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Assembled doesn't mean by the manufacturer, it means the assembly done at the location of the sale (box store or dealer). Trust me, the equipment doesn't always come fully assembled. I have worked for a dealer for quite a few years doing assembly as part of my job. Also, as a response to Cargogater, while AYP may sell the same models at all dealers, other manufacturers do send different units to dealers and box stores.