I left the machinery business in about 1992. Was at my last dealership for I think eight years and a hernia operation. About 2 months after I started as Parts Manager, the 'old guy' in the department- the guy who had been there forever and everybody knew and often didn't need to look up parts- pulled me aside and said, "You're smart. You need to get out of this business. There's no future in it." I loved the hurly-burly of busy season(s) and feeling like I was really good at it, so I stuck with it until I finally realized two things:

1. US government policy is to provide cheap food for citizens- period, and I support that. That also means government is willing to step in with support for farmers in bad times, but there's no direct aid for support industries like farm equipment. The idea was support money would trickle down into the broader ag economy, but the reality is that farmers, being good businessmen, tighten their belts and pocket said support until good times return, so dealers had to just tighten their belts and 'ride it out', like now.

2. After 18 years in the business, the only way 'up' for me was to gather investor partners and run a dealership. I knew I didn't have the people skills to be the boss, and then there was always #1 in my mind. Boo Hoo. Reality. Started to affect my attitude and it was time to move on. Glad I did.

Dealerships, like any other retail business, have fixed costs- costs that can be shared by chains. Spreading fixed costs over a broader area means surviving and thriving in modern times. Sound familiar? It should. Your 'STO' was a 'BTO' when I was a kid. That 'smaller' farms find ways to hang on is great- inspiring- just as we all are glad a place like the well-respected c mayer can still exist.

Ironic to read NAT posts whining about losing their local dealer from the same type of guys that, in my day, bought a combine the next county over because they could save a few bucks yet would still call me when they needed parts after-hours. Now you can't go drive a few miles to start a race-to-the-bottom between dealers because they are both the same dealer. Boo Hoo.