Thinking About Buying a Bad Boy Zero-Turn Mower? Here’s Why You Might Regret It

Bad Boy Mower Problems | Why Toro, Gravely & Cub Cadet Are Better

If you’ve been shopping around for a zero-turn mower, you’ve probably seen Bad Boy pop up. Bright orange paint. Bold marketing. Big claims. But what you don’t always hear is what happens after the sale — and that’s where things get messy.

At Southern Maryland Outdoor Power Equipment, we’ve been in this business since 2005. We sell, service, and support serious brands like Toro, Cub Cadet, and Gravely — and we’ve seen firsthand the nightmare stories that come with Bad Boy mowers.

Let’s break down why Bad Boy mowers fall short, especially when it comes to what really matters: support, service, and long-term reliability.


1. No Real Dealer Support


One of the biggest issues with Bad Boy is simple: there’s almost no real dealer support when you need it most.

  • Many “dealers” are just retailers who don’t service what they sell

  • Parts are hard to get — belts, pulleys, and even common wear parts are often backordered

  • You’re frequently left waiting weeks or months for repairs

  • Bad Boy’s own support team often redirects you back to a local dealer… who can’t help

“We’ve had customers walk in begging us to fix their Bad Boy mower — and we can’t even order the parts.”
— Our Service Team

When you buy a Bad Boy, you’re often on your own once something goes wrong.


2. Warranty Work? Good Luck.

Bad Boy may offer a warranty on paper, but getting that warranty honored is another story:

  • Expect to send photos, videos, and endless emails

  • You may have to haul the unit yourself to an out-of-town shop

  • If the issue is unclear, you could be waiting for weeks with no mower and no answers

Meanwhile, with Toro, Cub Cadet, and Gravely, we handle everything in-house, fast, and on your schedule — because we’re an authorized warranty center, not a box-dropper.


3. The Flash Doesn’t Match the Function

Bad Boy’s branding is loud and aggressive — but underneath the paint?

  • Lower-end models use residential-grade components dressed up to look commercial

  • Welds are often sloppy, frames are heavy but not reinforced smartly

  • Decks are prone to bending or scalping uneven terrain

The weight also causes issues — extra-heavy mowers without smart engineering can rut or damage turf, especially on soft soil. Heavier isn’t always better.


4. Low Resale Value and No Trade Support

Try trading in a Bad Boy mower — you’ll quickly find that:

  • Resale value is low

  • Many shops won’t even take them on trade

  • Serious buyers look for brands with service networks and parts support, which Bad Boy lacks

Brands like Toro, Cub Cadet, and Gravely hold value because they’re proven and widely supported by dealers like us.


5. Compare the Dealer Experience

When you buy from Southern Maryland Outdoor Power Equipment, here’s what you get:

Feature Bad Boy Toro / Cub Cadet / Gravely (Sold Here)
Dealer Stocks Parts? ❌ Rarely ✅ Yes
Authorized Warranty Repair? ❌ Often not offered ✅ On-site
Local Phone Support? ❌ Usually redirected ✅ We pick up
Loaners or Fast Turnaround? ❌ No ✅ Priority scheduling
Resale or Trade-In Value? ❌ Poor ✅ High

Final Thoughts: Don’t Get Burned

We’ve been doing this for nearly two decades. The calls we get about Bad Boy mowers all sound the same:

“Can you fix this?”
“The dealer won’t call me back.”
“They can’t get the part.”
“I should have bought something better.”

So here’s our advice: Don’t roll the dice on flashy marketing with no support behind it. Invest in a mower with backbone, support, and real service.


🛠️ Ready to Buy the Right Mower?

Whether you’re a homeowner or a commercial landscaper, we’ve got mowers that are built to work — and a service department that backs every sale.

📍 Stop by our showroom in Waldorf
📞 Call us at 301-396-3989
🛒 Browse Zero-Turns Now


🧠 Bonus: What the Pros Use

  • Gravely Pro-Turn – Built for serious pros, rock-solid warranty

  • Toro Titan MAX – Powerful, comfortable, and easy to service

  • Cub Cadet Ultima ZTX – Affordable and rugged with pro features