I had been looking for a tractor for a while, reading this forum and others and visiting local dealers first. Well, it was hard enough convincing the wife that we needed a tractor (we do), but to get her to agree to that kind of money, well “it ain’t gona happen”!! /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif So, I turned to the Internet and, after sifting through many makes, models and dealers, I chose a Chinese tractor.
I thought this tractor was a good value based on price, features and what I could ascertain of the dealer. I am no stranger to getting dirty or turning a wrench so I knew what I was getting into from a maintenance perspective.
On February 13, 2004 I entered into a contract to purchase a new tractor. The dealer’s website, indicated that I would be required to pay 10% of the purchase price to order the tractor, that’s fair. However, they billed my credit card for the entire amount, contrary to credit card company rules concerning mail/telephone orders. The tractor was shipped on March 8, 2004 and received on March 9, 2004, 24 days after my credit card was billed! I’d already gotten the bill and still no tractor, BTW. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif
During the delivery inspection, it was noticed that large amounts of hydraulic oil were running down the loader arm, the loader control feed line and the main rear axle/transmission area. It was observed that the oil was also on the floor of the delivery truck, indicating that the tractor was loaded for delivery with major leak defects. I know, I should have refused delivery at that point, but my new tractor was here after a long wait. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gifTwo of these problems still exist as of this writing, wrong parts were sent by the dealer in response to a request for replacement parts. I performed the labor to install the gasket that was never initially installed to fix the leak on the trans/rear axle. This required dismantling a portion of the tractor to rectify the leak. The dealer sent a homemade gasket vs. a factory-produced gasket as a replacement. Further observations noted 4 ½ hours registered on the hour meter for a new tractor as well as chipped paint on the loader.
Upon closer inspection the following day (3/10/04), it was noticed that the backhoe swing hoses were cut due to the lines being pinched between the backhoe framing and the cylinder, prior to delivery. To date this still has not been rectified. The charging system was inoperative, which was miss-diagnosed by the technical staff, causing the shipping and removal/replacement of unnecessary parts (alternator, voltage regulator and instrument cluster). The resolution was a broken fuse and miss-wired instruments from the dealer. Additionally, there were broken grease fittings, no coolant in the radiator, damaged 3pt lifter arms (wrong replacement parts sent), missing draw bar and brakes out of adjustment.
I surmise that when I ordered, the dealer looked around his lot for the tractor that needed the most work that the dealer would have to perform, and knowing I am hundreds of miles away sent this for me to fix.
After considerable delay and frustration, lack of use of the tractor, unreturned phone calls and e-mails, unanswered phones, waiting for parts, contact person on vacation and incorrect replacement parts sent, I requested that they accept the return of the tractor and credit back my credit card. I requested this action on April 12, 2004 via phone message (no answer) and received no response until I again called on April 15, 2004 at which time they refused to accept the return. They have offered to take the tractor back and go through it and fix whatever problems still exist, at my expense of over $1,000 for shipping.
Is this common for Chinese tractor dealers? Am I wrong here? I’ve filed a complaint with the BBB, but being a business advocacy group, what are the odds on consumers winning in arbitration, anyone know? I’ve also disputed the charge with the cc company.
Sorry this is so long winded, but what I need to know from you folks is what should I do now? I’ve ticked off the dealer (yes I got hot and said things I shouldn’t have) and I imagine future support and parts will be close to no existent.
FYI, I’ve posted this anonymously and not included the dealers name as there may be possible future litigation. But I wanted to get this out to all perspective buyers to let them know what could happen. I have been a long time Internet shopper, with little or no problems and I am certainly not slamming all Internet sellers, the vast major are honest and professional, but it only takes a few.
I thought this tractor was a good value based on price, features and what I could ascertain of the dealer. I am no stranger to getting dirty or turning a wrench so I knew what I was getting into from a maintenance perspective.
On February 13, 2004 I entered into a contract to purchase a new tractor. The dealer’s website, indicated that I would be required to pay 10% of the purchase price to order the tractor, that’s fair. However, they billed my credit card for the entire amount, contrary to credit card company rules concerning mail/telephone orders. The tractor was shipped on March 8, 2004 and received on March 9, 2004, 24 days after my credit card was billed! I’d already gotten the bill and still no tractor, BTW. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif
During the delivery inspection, it was noticed that large amounts of hydraulic oil were running down the loader arm, the loader control feed line and the main rear axle/transmission area. It was observed that the oil was also on the floor of the delivery truck, indicating that the tractor was loaded for delivery with major leak defects. I know, I should have refused delivery at that point, but my new tractor was here after a long wait. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gifTwo of these problems still exist as of this writing, wrong parts were sent by the dealer in response to a request for replacement parts. I performed the labor to install the gasket that was never initially installed to fix the leak on the trans/rear axle. This required dismantling a portion of the tractor to rectify the leak. The dealer sent a homemade gasket vs. a factory-produced gasket as a replacement. Further observations noted 4 ½ hours registered on the hour meter for a new tractor as well as chipped paint on the loader.
Upon closer inspection the following day (3/10/04), it was noticed that the backhoe swing hoses were cut due to the lines being pinched between the backhoe framing and the cylinder, prior to delivery. To date this still has not been rectified. The charging system was inoperative, which was miss-diagnosed by the technical staff, causing the shipping and removal/replacement of unnecessary parts (alternator, voltage regulator and instrument cluster). The resolution was a broken fuse and miss-wired instruments from the dealer. Additionally, there were broken grease fittings, no coolant in the radiator, damaged 3pt lifter arms (wrong replacement parts sent), missing draw bar and brakes out of adjustment.
I surmise that when I ordered, the dealer looked around his lot for the tractor that needed the most work that the dealer would have to perform, and knowing I am hundreds of miles away sent this for me to fix.
After considerable delay and frustration, lack of use of the tractor, unreturned phone calls and e-mails, unanswered phones, waiting for parts, contact person on vacation and incorrect replacement parts sent, I requested that they accept the return of the tractor and credit back my credit card. I requested this action on April 12, 2004 via phone message (no answer) and received no response until I again called on April 15, 2004 at which time they refused to accept the return. They have offered to take the tractor back and go through it and fix whatever problems still exist, at my expense of over $1,000 for shipping.
Is this common for Chinese tractor dealers? Am I wrong here? I’ve filed a complaint with the BBB, but being a business advocacy group, what are the odds on consumers winning in arbitration, anyone know? I’ve also disputed the charge with the cc company.
Sorry this is so long winded, but what I need to know from you folks is what should I do now? I’ve ticked off the dealer (yes I got hot and said things I shouldn’t have) and I imagine future support and parts will be close to no existent.
FYI, I’ve posted this anonymously and not included the dealers name as there may be possible future litigation. But I wanted to get this out to all perspective buyers to let them know what could happen. I have been a long time Internet shopper, with little or no problems and I am certainly not slamming all Internet sellers, the vast major are honest and professional, but it only takes a few.
