I bought my 'new' Kioti DK with about 8 hours on it. I don't even remember. I figured it was covered by a four year warranty and if it was damaged by those initial test drive hours then I would deal with it as issues arose. My dealer said he would take care of me, and I took him at his word until I find out otherwise. I noticed the hydraulic line wrapped in a metal coil on the backhoe was caught between the dipper and the hydraulic piston and brought that to the attention of the service guy when he came out to deal with some minor issue with the bh. I had him adjust it properly and later discovered the line was cracked due to the original improper install. I asked them to remove a line from another on lot bh and then order the part for the one that was on the lot so I could pickup the line and install it without having to wait for it to come in on special order. No problem.
Tractors are not sports cars- they are utility vehicles; so I can see someone not wanting scratches on his brand new and pricey car, but on a tractor that is being sold with a backhoe and
fel, etc. get real! I'm not saying it should be accepted as banged up all over but some bucket scratches!?
I went back and bought a Toughline boxblade and asked the dealer to paint it since the paint had so much fade from being on the lot. He agreed to do so for $50 and said he would do it in black instead of the orange from the factory and I said ok. He also knocked some $ off the price even though it was a new blade.
If I was a dealer I would have some concern and so might my insurance carrier for letting everyone who came on my lot 'test' drive whatever they expressed interest in.
I can see each side of the coin and would say it depends on the dealer, the potential customer, etc, and the insurance issues in today's world. There is no right or easy answer to these situations, but people need to find a situation that meets their individual needs and desires.
Good luck all.
