JCB has started to sell machines online for the first time in its history – and a Dorset landscaping and groundworks contractor has become the first customer to place an order.
JCB introduced the new order online option to support businesses with their plant requirements during the Covid-19 lockdown. Now Poole-based Focal Landscapes has purchased a JCB 8008 micro excavator and a HTD-5 tracked dumper direct from JCB via the website direct.jcb.com – with order to delivery taking less than a week.
Focal Landscapes owner Marc Woodward said: “I discovered the option to buy online via Twitter. I then placed my order on the website and the machine was here in less than a week. The online buying experience is really, really simple.
“You get all the benefits of an online purchase, but you also start a relationship with the manufacturer. That gives access to JCB Finance and JCB support. I’ve already been introduced to my local JCB dealer Holt JCB and been able to purchase a range of attachments for my new excavator.
“In terms of the products themselves, it was an easy choice. They get through small gaps and work efficiently in small spaces. The micro is a great machine, so capable, it is amazing how much work it can do. I grew up with JCB; it’s a British brand and now more than ever I want to support that.”
JCB UK and Ireland Sales Director Steve Smith said: “We are determined to support our customers’ machine requirements during the challenging current Covid-19 crisis. The new service gives customers the ability to buy some of JCB’s most popular products online, directly from the manufacturer, with no need to meet face-to-face or leave their homes.”
The JCB machines available to purchase on line are the 8008 micro excavator; the 16C-1, 18Z-1 and 8026 mini excavators; the HTD5 Dumpster; the 1T-2 site dumper and S1930 and S2632 scissor lifts.
Available to UK mainland customers, buying online using JCB Finance represents the fast and efficient new way to purchase JCB compact equipment. Customers simply visit the website, select the model and pay a £100 ’holding fee’ to secure their machine.
They will then be contacted by JCB Finance to complete the application and the machine will be delivered direct to their door by JCB.
Machines are fitted with the JCB LiveLink telematics system as standard, where applicable, and can be selected with a service contract at the online checkout. This covers routine scheduled maintenance up to three years and 1,500 hours – along with service parts and oils, labour and travel.
