Through Covid, Supply Chain and Employment Issues, Grass Continues to Grow

by Mark Bailey

2021, as we know, was pretty much a repeat of the last ten months of 2020. We have seen, faced, and overcome some challenges presented to us as Americans that we will still endure for years to come. One thing that hasn’t changed is, “If the Good Lord is giving us rain and sunshine, the grass will always grow.” Our slogan here at Bailey Outdoors and Cub Cadet of Northwest Georgia has always been, “If you can grow it, we’ll help you mow it.”

As we enter into our ninth year of business in 2022, we have had to react to challenges, not in our original business plan, but at the same time, the Lord has blessed us with continued growth over the last two years. I tell people that this business and its success are because of the LORD. This business belongs to Him, He just lets me run it. Colossians 3:23 states, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the LORD and not for men.”

As we head into 2022, we are preparing ourselves to be able to offer a variety of products to our customers, whatever your needs may be. Our issues are like most companies today as supply chain, transportation, and employment issues remain for many manufacturers and even for our small business. The facts are, manufacturers are already notifying us there will be shortages of products to complete orders, so our suggestion is if you’re looking to purchase a new mower, don’t wait until mowing time to purchase one as the selection may be limited. More importantly, we feel we offer the best customer service in the area.

Our goal is not to just sell you a product, but to partner with you and always strive to fit your needs without any customer feeling we are trying to oversell. We stand behind the products that we represent and sell and work hard to keep repair costs out of your pocket and let the manufacturers eat the cost. We want customers for life, and that’s only achieved by treating the customer with the respect they deserve and honesty in what we do.

Our business comes with a couple of old fashion business models. First, acknowledge the presence of the customer when they walk through the door, and if busy, let them know you will be with them in a minute. Second, always tell the customer the truth, never lie to get their business. It may upset them, but you have left the door open for future business and hopefully, they will return. If you lie, that will spread like wildfire and tarnish your integrity. Proverbs 12:22 states, “Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, but those who deal truthfully are His delight.” Third, stand behind what you repair. Based on what the customer tells us, we work hard to repair that issue and if we see additional issues, we call the customer to explain our findings, present them with an estimate for repair and then let them decide if the investment is justifiable to them. If our repair has an issue, we will pick up, repair, and return the unit to the customer free of charge, but this is based on what we repaired, not a different issue.

As we move into our Parts and Service Department, we carry 1,500 different parts for the equipment we sell. Most parts, if we don’t have it and it’s at the warehouse, we can have it in 2-3 days. 22 // April 2022

Our Service Department strives daily to get whatever product you bring in for repair taken care of timely and ready for return to the customer. Even in the busy time of year, seldom do we take more than 5 days to complete a repair. If it takes longer, it’s normally due to waiting on parts from the warehouse. We pride ourselves in turnaround time on equipment, because we know the grass continues to grow.

Why buy from us? We think it’s simple. Value prices on new products, service after the sale, turnaround time on repairs, supporting a local small business and not a big box store, and most importantly because of your overall customer experience at our dealership. We ask the questions customers come to appreciate. What size lot are you mowing? What is the terrain, flat, slope, heavy slope? What are you currently using and in what ways are you looking to upgrade? Maybe deck width? Maybe reduce time in the seat? Maybe more power? Let us help you fine-tune those decisions.

We continue to grow in the commercial cutter business through the quality brands we sell. Are we always the least expensive or cheapest to purchase products? I can tell you upfront, “NO.” There are dealers scattered around the Southeast that are Volume Dealers and will sell you one or more products at a lower price because their buying power is lower than mine and they can pass that along to the customer. It may be a 1-3% difference in a lot of cases, but my business is built on continued customer loyalty. I could tell people loyalty comes with a cost, but that’s never my intention. What I want them to realize is loyalty comes with savings. Bottom line, my customers come first. My family of customers through loyalty comes first. Buying a product somewhere else doesn’t mean I won’t work on it, but it means I will work you in when I can. Those 5 to 8 hours round trips for service or repairs at the dealership you purchased from quickly eat up that 1-3% savings you got upfront. Now, maybe you understand my point of how there are savings in the end.

We all want loyal friends and customers. As Christians, we are to be loyal to the people that God has put in our lives. Proverbs 18:24 states, “There are ‘friends’ who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.”

When you purchase from us, our units have gone through a checklist to ensure once you have it home, you are ready to start cutting that lawn.

Financing is available for just about every brand we sell. We use Sheffield Financial and TD Bank to help our customers customize their options when trying to purchase equipment. Based on the financed amount, most qualify for 24, 36, and 48 months with low rates, to not make buying a new mower put an enormous strain on anyone’s budget.

Our mower brands are Cub Cadet, Ferris, Wright, and Walker. We sell RedMax outdoor power products in blowers, trimmers, hedge trimmers, chainsaws, etc. We also carry Vortexx pressure washers.

As we expand on 2022 offers to our customers, combined with health and safety guidelines for both customers and employees, we now offer texting through our website. Payment options are also available through our site. Example: You know a part number you need or you can look it up on our site, send us a message through our site, or even ask us to look it up for you. Once we confirm, you can pay online through our site, we can process your order and get the part ready, then notify us once you arrive and we can bring the part out to you, so you never have to enter the store.

Your options to call and talk with us about a new mower or any outdoor power equipment and complete purchases without even coming inside is another way we want to help look after you during these trying times.

We understand the daily challenges that this pandemic continues to give us, but our goal is to still give you the personal attention you deserve while showing our appreciation to each and every customer. We never expect anyone’s business, but strive daily to earn that business through honest actions you expect.

We look forward to helping customers find a way to continue taking care of their properties. We are that local hometown dealer that greets you by name when you walk in the door, sees you at a restaurant, at the bank, at a local ball field, in the grocery store, at church, or many other places. We get to know you like family or a neighbor next door. Your concern is our concern, so let’s help solve it together.

Whether you’re that homeowner taking care of your yard, that weekend warrior that picks up lawns for extra income on the side, or that commercial cutter looking to be more efficient and profitable, find out why we are your one-stop-shop to answer any questions and fit your needs.

People ask us quite often if we work on brands other than what we sell. I always answer, “YES we do,” as long as parts are accessible to get for the repair, we will take care of you.

We offer pickup and delivery services for our customers. Don’t let not having a way to get the mower to and from our dealership ever be the reason not to trade with us. We want to make your experience as easy as possible. Our store location is at 921 E. Morris St. in Dalton, GA. Give us a call at (706)-226-3126. You can also visit us online at cubcadetofnorthwestgeorgia.com. Our hours of operation beginning in March are Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. Stop by and let us discuss how you can better enjoy mowing that lawn. You’ll be glad you did.