DavesTractor
Elite Member
I was offline for the weekend and I amazed at how many comments have been made on this thread. Several of you have echoed support for family friendly businesses, and thank you for the kind words! Many have mentioned liability issues. Some have said it isn't fair to write off the dealer in the original post because of one bad experience, especially since it wasn't a salesman or owner that was being "kid unfriendly".
First, I am aware that the typical kid that comes in to our business is not the typical child in the USA, and that makes me sad. Folks that work the land, have horses, raise crops, etc., even just as a hobby are often some of the nicest families and I bet they raise their kids purposely. Generally the parents will ask if their kid can climb up on a tractor before they do it. When I say yes, the kid sits up on the tractor like it is his favorite ride at Disneyland. It is just really rare to have a problem child. That being said, we do occasionally get them and we deal with that as required. But we do that with adults as well. If a guy comes in here and makes "clever" remarks to the secretaries or gets crude with his remarks in front of the employees or becomes aggressive....we ask him to leave. Those kind of weirdos worry me more than kids. But that is rare, maybe once every few years.
As far as liability issues, I worked in that particular field before I quit my real job, tossed my suit/ties and briefcase and started this business as a hobby out of my barn 12 years and several thousand tractors ago. I am very aware of litigation issues, and these things should not be taken lightly. But I refuse to run my business based principally on fears of lawsuits. Having said that, care must be taken for sure.
As for writing off the original dealer - based on what we know, they should be given another chance. We all have our grumpy days.
First, I am aware that the typical kid that comes in to our business is not the typical child in the USA, and that makes me sad. Folks that work the land, have horses, raise crops, etc., even just as a hobby are often some of the nicest families and I bet they raise their kids purposely. Generally the parents will ask if their kid can climb up on a tractor before they do it. When I say yes, the kid sits up on the tractor like it is his favorite ride at Disneyland. It is just really rare to have a problem child. That being said, we do occasionally get them and we deal with that as required. But we do that with adults as well. If a guy comes in here and makes "clever" remarks to the secretaries or gets crude with his remarks in front of the employees or becomes aggressive....we ask him to leave. Those kind of weirdos worry me more than kids. But that is rare, maybe once every few years.
As far as liability issues, I worked in that particular field before I quit my real job, tossed my suit/ties and briefcase and started this business as a hobby out of my barn 12 years and several thousand tractors ago. I am very aware of litigation issues, and these things should not be taken lightly. But I refuse to run my business based principally on fears of lawsuits. Having said that, care must be taken for sure.
As for writing off the original dealer - based on what we know, they should be given another chance. We all have our grumpy days.
