I attempted to give a local Hustler dealer business yesterday - but they didn't fail to underwhelm me with their service. I walked in looked around their crowded disorganized shop...asked where the Hustlers were, and the kid behind the counter lazily directed me to the outdoor sheds "that should be open". I trekked out..and they were all locked. I don't like "professional" shops and their attitudes to begin with (this has applied to MULTIPLE mower shops, HVAC shops, electrical shops) so it didn't take much to turn me away. There was no one else in the shop to be occupying this kid's time (nor was there anyone else that could direct me - I didn't even want to talk to a sales person...just look at the mowers)...so I just hopped in my truck and continued down the road.
Do the big box stores (the blue one, in particular) sell the exact same spec mowers? From this forum, I think I've been talked up from the SD to the SDx and I can use my 10% military discount at the blue box store and get 6 months no interest financing (I have the cash to pay for it now - so I will pay it off in the six months and incur 0 finance charges). I'm all about supporting local businesses instead of the big stores but I have a real sour taste in my mouth for the "professional" shops and after yesterday I don't have any issues with taking my business elsewhere.
I'm not too concerned about the setup from the store - I plan to go over it and do my own PDI. In fact, I would prefer to just pick it up or have it dropped off in the crate and not have anyone there touch it (I'm very particular). Is this possible?
So - my two questions (to sum up my rant regarding "professional" shops):
I've done some more research and would like to know from the forum how much you've found dealers willing to deal to come closer to bbs prices? I wouldn't expect one to fully match 100% but I'm curious if you've found in general that they'll budge a bit. I don't plan on ever needing the dealer after the sale - I do 100% of my own maintenance but I would visit only for warranty work if needed...that's the one thing that I've got holding me to a dealer rather than bbs.
Do the big box stores (the blue one, in particular) sell the exact same spec mowers? From this forum, I think I've been talked up from the SD to the SDx and I can use my 10% military discount at the blue box store and get 6 months no interest financing (I have the cash to pay for it now - so I will pay it off in the six months and incur 0 finance charges). I'm all about supporting local businesses instead of the big stores but I have a real sour taste in my mouth for the "professional" shops and after yesterday I don't have any issues with taking my business elsewhere.
I'm not too concerned about the setup from the store - I plan to go over it and do my own PDI. In fact, I would prefer to just pick it up or have it dropped off in the crate and not have anyone there touch it (I'm very particular). Is this possible?
So - my two questions (to sum up my rant regarding "professional" shops):
- Are the Hustler mowers at box stores the same as those at dealers (model to model)?
- Would a store and or dealer give me the mower in the box and allow me to do my own setup?
I've done some more research and would like to know from the forum how much you've found dealers willing to deal to come closer to bbs prices? I wouldn't expect one to fully match 100% but I'm curious if you've found in general that they'll budge a bit. I don't plan on ever needing the dealer after the sale - I do 100% of my own maintenance but I would visit only for warranty work if needed...that's the one thing that I've got holding me to a dealer rather than bbs.
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