LANDSCAPE AND OPE DEALERS
ness , but that ’ s up to the dealer .”
Jenneka Temkin , who co-owns J & J Property Pros with her brother Jared , echoed the value of the relationship . “ We love our local dealer . They sell a variety of equipment ranging from Scag mowers to Kubota RTVs to Echo power equipment . It comes down to mutual respect and treating others as you would like to be treated ; in return your dealer takes care of you . We have brought in our clients ’ business to our dealer as they fix equipment and do maintenance on ATVs . Building this relationship has been very important .
J & J Property Pros also maintains a working relationship with Echo . As part of the Echo User Advisory Group , J & J has built valuable relations with a manufacturer and other professional users nationwide .
Power Equipment Plus , Long Island N . Y . dealer group , serves its landscape pro customers in part by stocking hand tools they need , for one-stop shopping convenience .
The pro customer is far and away the most important customer . And it ’ s one of the last not scooped up by big box stores .
JOSH FLYNN CEO , POWER EQUIPMENT PLUS DEALER GROUP
Dealers need professionals
“ When I worked in landscaping , we prioritized the dealer relationship , and if we switched brands of equipment , it was because of that dealer relationship ,” said Josh Flynn . Now as CEO of the Power Equipment Plus dealer group in New York , Flynn fully understands the importance of relationships from the other side . Flynn said contractors constitute roughly 75 % of his stores ’ business .
And the more expensive equipment they purchase generally provides Flynn with better gross profit margins .
J & J has learned along the way too . Jenneka and her brother Jared started J & J in 2014 . “ In the very beginning of our business , we purchased from the big box stores . I remember we got our first Ryobi and it lasted about a year and we thought ‘ it ’ s time to upgrade .’ Jenneka said she found a local dealer and learned the value of the professional relationship for more options and better service . “ At Reardon Briggs Equipment , we get fair pricing , amazing service , we know everyone there , and we like the brands they carry . It ’ s so nice to have a relationship with your dealer . They are good to us and we will be loyal to them .”
Jenneka admits that sometimes it ’ s worth it to spend a little more money . And they are on a priority list for repairs and service . “ The dealer knows that we are going to be easy to work with ,” she said . “ We ’ re not going to haggle them and question service rates or other things .”
“ I don ’ t know how any dealer can survive ,” said Flynn , “ The pro customer is far and away the most important customer . And it ’ s one of the last not scooped up by big box stores . Yes , contractors can buy from big box , but they don ’ t . They shop here .”
As they have with pro-level home remodelers and carpenters , the big-box retailers are increasingly targeting pro customers . The new Toro-Lowe ’ s relationship could expand those efforts .
These relationships , like all good ones , require work . Flynn said his store managers communicate often with professional customers , especially in the spring and the fall . “ And last year I tried to go visit the landscapers ’ shops at least once ,” said Flynn , “ to meet them and see how they work and see what other equipment they use , etc . That was a relationship-building thing for me .”
Flynn will setup “ house accounts ” as a special service for some customers , “ like those who don ’ t want to give their crews credit cards ,” he said . “ We give them 30-day terms , and if they
22 OPE + March 2024 www . OPE-Plus . com