This article originally appeared on AgDirect.com.
Equipment financing is a critical tool for both farmers and equipment dealers in today’s high-cost machinery market. For many producers, access to financing ensures growth and stability amidst rising prices.
For equipment dealers, facilitating financing solutions isn’t just about closing a sale; it’s about meeting the needs of customers while navigating competitive pressures and evolving market demands.
Independent financing companies like AgDirect® understand these dynamics well. Since 1998, AgDirect has offered creative financing options that work with every brand and every type of equipment to help keep farms and dealerships running strong.
The program’s simple, fast and flexible point-of-purchase model has proven mutually beneficial for customers like Dennis Brinkman, and his equipment dealer, Jordan Schwarck.
Affordable financing solutions
Brinkman, a grain producer from Charles City, Iowa, first became familiar with AgDirect through the Farm Credit System. Additionally, McRoberts Red Power, the local Case IH dealership where Brinkman does business, offers AgDirect equipment financing.
“When I look at my financing, Jordan and I sit down, discuss what my options are and usually I choose AgDirect,” says Brinkman. “My dealership offers other financing options, but I continue to work with AgDirect because they’re competitive and easy to work with.”
Optimizing an equipment fleet can be an expensive endeavor, but thanks to the variety of affordable financing solutions AgDirect offers, Brinkman has made several new and used machinery upgrades. He has financed combines, several tractors, a skid loader, corn and bean heads as well as a grain cart.
“Throughout my farming career I’ve tried to keep up with late model, used equipment so I don’t have to worry about being broken down when I’m ready to go to the field,” says Brinkman. “I’ve always used financing to do that. When there’s a good opportunity to trade to a newer, used model I usually try to jump on it.”
While AgDirect’s quick and streamlined application process has helped Brinkman move quickly on equipment deals, one of the biggest benefits of his long-term relationship with the equipment financing company is the cash flow he has freed up for his operation.
“AgDirect equipment financing helps me with my cash flow by not having to pour out a lot of money on one particular item,” shares Brinkman. “In this business, you always have all kinds of bills to pay, so by using financing you can stretch things out and afford to upgrade.”
Competitive rates and terms
From a dealer’s point of view, a major selling point of offering AgDirect is being able to make financing recommendations based on each customer’s unique situation.
Jordan Schwarck, a sales representative with McRoberts Red Power, says competitive rates and terms plus the different lease and purchase options AgDirect offers is a huge advantage for his dealership and his customers.
“Every customer has a particular goal in mind, whether it’s a certain payment or interest rate, and leasing has become a larger part of reaching those goals,” shares Schwarck. "With AgDirect, financing isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s nice to have a lender that is willing to work with you to explore different avenues and not just your standard purchase options.”
“Whether it’s leasing, extending terms or working with a customer on rates to get to certain payment they’re looking for, AgDirect will work with you in those types of cases, whereas some other lenders may not,” he adds.
For Schwarck, another advantage of working with AgDirect is the knowledgeable and personalized service he has experienced working with the AgDirect team.
“What keeps me coming back to AgDirect is the relationships I've built with the staff over the years,” he says. “I’ve developed great relationships with my territory manager all the way down to the underwriting team, and the people who work there are one of the primary reasons I would recommend AgDirect to other equipment dealers.”
Hear more from Dennis and Jordan, or learn more about working with AgDirect as your equipment financing partner by contacting your nearest AgDirect territory manager or the AgDirect Finance team at 888-525-9805.
Check rates, quote payments and compare options at agdirect.com. Ready to finance or refinance? Apply online or use the free AgDirect Mobile app available for download from the App Store and Google Play*.
*Your mobile carrier’s messaging data rates apply. The App Store is a service mark of Apple, Inc. Google Play is a trademark of Google, Inc.
