The word was "product" meaning corn-hay-soybeans,, you know..."product".  Wasn't talking about land now was I?  Land prices are set by the local GOVERNMENT! They set prices by what land sells for. 99% of the land here is split up into 3-5 acre "ranchettes", Old rich people retirement McMansions. Much like your dealership has increased in value,, Plan on selling that ?? (didn't think so..)

All of which is superflous to the original word,, "product".

All the rest of your snappy reply relies on one thing,, You being such a swell guy cause you "donate" your time, equipment, etc...   

Uh..... I might have been born at night,, but it sure wasn't last night,, You are pricing out all those "donations" and deducting them right off your yearly I.R.S. Bill....  All the "face time" with all those organizations is ADVERTISING. Free Advertising, and you also deduct everything allowed.  You are building and sustaining relationships with the very people who walk into your building and buy your products. I would be willing to say all those meetings you attend,, the company pickup is parked right outside the front door, isn't it??

You can paint your 'contributions' any color you want to,, color don't change the facts.

Now, don't get me wrong I'm not condemning the tax deductions, or the face time. Face time is "marketing 101"  (build customer relationships)  Pleeeese just don't try coloring it something different.

Far as Dealer auctions,,,,  LMAO,, Dealer auctions were #2 in line,, right after Farmers auctions.  We don't make money,,,, you don't have anyone to sell your "product" too. Somehow,, I don't see many JD 9600 combines setting in town people's yards.. (for example)

Farmers 90% of the time don't have the luxury of "face time" with our customers. We don't even know who our "customers" are,, we wind up selling to "resellers" who sell to "resellers" who sell to Exporters or the final "customer".  My "product" is completely anomonous (sp) once it leaves my hands. You can bet your arse the "resellers" are NOT going to say this is "Ben DOVER's" product ! 

Second thing about being involved in the community it does take time. I'd love to work 40 hours/week or be able to just "leave" at 3 in the afternoon because I "have to" attend a "club meeting" of some sort or another.  Farming don't work quite that way. It would be nice to know my "customers" but it'll never happen. The middlemen work very hard to make SURE the "customer" does NOT know me, the "Producer".  I don't get to put my little "advertising sticker" on my "product" when I sell it, unlike Dealers who do put their company name on whole goods they sell. (and deduct the cost of the sticker as advertising) 

I am sorry,, I must have missed your link to what your inventory is, I didn't see the market price for your goods either.  I looked completely thru the USDA's web site,, still didn't find your market price/inventory listing. 

I would however be willing to trade you my $8.00 wheat for some of your parts thou.

(ps.. don't pay attention to those pesky market reports,, I think my wheat is worth $8.00 despite WHAT the Government says..)

(p.p.s  I sold wheat in 1974 for $4.50/bushel,,  Now about that inflation factor,,, something ain't smelling right here is it??, compared to parts inflation prices)

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Edit, I growled pretty hard, and should have included:  I am not saying you don't or should not actually enjoy and have fun being part of the community and being involved in the community.  I am guessing but, probably you do enjoy the community activities. But, that was not the issue exactly. The issue is about business, costs and profit margins.