JOHN DEERE CREDIT FOR HOMEOWNERS GENERATING
MORE BUSINESS FOR LANDSCAPE PROS NATIONWIDE
August 2004

John Deere Credit programs that help homeowners purchase larger landscape installations are providing a “business boost” for contractors nationwide, reported Dan Gundacker, manager, product market development at John Deere Credit.

“Landscape and irrigation contractors who offer John Deere Credit programs are seeing a significant increase in business,” he said.

Agreeing with him is Vincent Sessa, owner, New Jersey Lawn and Irrigation of Jackson, New Jersey. Sessa has been in business since 1989 and offers his residential clients John Deere Credit on every job. He builds the financing options into sales presentations, and 90 percent of his customers sign up.

“We’ve seen an increase in both the number of jobs and the size of jobs we sell,” he said. “Plus, clients commit to completing an entire job, rather than doing a project piece-meal.”

“We are selling more jobs in the $10,000.00 to $30,000.00 range now.” Landscape contractor Craig Kooda of Kooda Exteriors in Dallas, Texas, has seen a 25 to 30 percent increase in his business since he started offering John Deere Credit financing two years ago:

“We present credit programs on every bid. They're an important part of our clients' decision-making process,” he said.

“Now homeowners can plan the amenities they really want, like automated irrigation, landscape lighting, water features and more. John Deere Credit is definitely one of the reasons our firm has seen substantial growth over the last two years.”

With today’s low interest rates, homeowners can add-on the extras for just a few dollars more per month, says Gundacker. Or they can finance a Same-as-Cash transaction and pay the entire balance within six months without interest charges.

For example, with John Deere Credit financing, homeowners can install a $10,000.00 automated irrigation system for approximately $240.00/month. Or they can add landscape lighting, water gardens, or other landscape features for $50.00 to $100.00 more per month.

John Deere Credit programs are available to landscape and irrigation professionals who participate in the John Deere Landscapes Partners Program. John Deere Landscapes is a nationwide distributor of nursery stock, landscape supplies, irrigation products and landscape lighting with more than 250 branches nationwide.

The benefits of John Deere Credit to the contractor can add up:

• Contractors are guaranteed payment - and receive funds from John Deere Credit within 48 hours of job completion.

• Contractors typically sell larger landscape packages with irrigation, lighting, larger trees and plants and more.

• Landscape contractors with credit programs typically stand out from the competition because they can help homeowners achieve their “dream home.”

John Deere Landscapes branches are located in 39 states and Canada, and offer an extensive array of professional products, including irrigation equipment, landscape lighting, landscape and water gardening supplies, and direct sales nursery stock. Wholesale nursery centers are located in many John Deere Landscapes branches.

For more information on John Deere Credit or John Deere Landscapes, call 800-347-4272 or visit the Web site at www.JohnDeereCreditContractorInfo.com.