Where to buy riding mower if not local
 

So its time to replace my 20 year old riding mower. The cost to maintain is not worth my time any more.

Here's the issue:

Lowes and HD have MAYBE 1-2 in stock at any store nearby. None will deliver, not for a fee, just a big FU. The nearest one I would consider is 20 miles away and I don't have the time and willingness to go rent a trailer - hope they still have the ONE they list in stock, and drive it home.

Anyone recommend a place that will drop one at my door?

John Deere dealer delivered mine for free and sends a technician out to service it (if/when I choose to have them maintain).

Make sure you get an excellent one. It would be a shame to own a crappy replacement for the next 20 years http://forums.pelicanparts.com/support/smileys/wat3.gif because you didn't want to drive too far to get it.

Google should help you find a servicing dealer near you. Never buy a mower from a big box unless you are prepared to work on it yourself or find a mower repair place that picks up and delivers. Servicing dealers generally offer pickup and delivery service and if you buy from them they usually deliver for free. Grasshopper bought a bunch of bad fuel level gauges and I’m on my second replacement. Getting them replaced was easy peasy through the dealer. I can’t imagine what a hassle it would have been to get it replaced through Lowe’s.

As fint said. Deere or really any decent dealer Kubota, Simplicity, Toro, Cub Cadet etc... They'll all deliver because they offer service after the sale where the big box stores don't.

Power Equipment Direct is Bollingbrook is a Simplicity dealer. You might try Farm and Fleet of Romeoville for Cub. Russo Power Equipment in Naperville for Kubota. Closest for Deere looks like Shorewood Home and Auto in Homer Glen

It's my understanding that the stuff that you get from HD and Lowes is built to a lower (price) quality than the stuff that you get at a place that specializes is mowers. IE, something bought from a JD store is going to be better made than something bought at HD.

Give Tractor Supply Company a look. I took a minute and looked at their website. Looks like they do delivery on riding lawn mowers. Not sure about lawn tractors though

I've had people tell me that before. If he's buying a true lawn tractor, they'll be built about the same. You can buy a price point Deere at the box stores but you can buy a price point Deere at the local dealer too. It's just that the price point machine at the dealer will be higher than at the box store because the dealer has service after the sale where at Lowes or Home Depot it's usually up to you to find service as well as parts if you need either.

They don’t do any service, so if you buy there you are on your own as far as warranty work or maintenance.

I think after sale support on L&G equipment is very important and I would not recommend buying from a dealer who can’t follow up after the sale. That leaves out all the big boxes plus Rural King, Tractor Supply, etc.

Don't even get me going on rural king.
Sobs have been waiting 5 months now on a front differential on a rk74.

Try Amazon! :eek:

Yea, a real dealer is the best way to go. Do a lot of research on good brands and service in your area. So much stuff is made in China garbage you want to avoid.

If you see a local yard crew about to start mowing a yard, stop and ask who is the supervisor and ask him where the yard pros buy their equipment. Ask a few different crews. Likely there is one place that is the most popular for the pros. Go there to get pro level reliable equipment and service if needed.

I can think of three places here that specialize in sales to yard mowing companies.