cowboydoc
Super Member
- Joined
- Dec 23, 2000
- Messages
- 6,737
- Tractor
- JD 8320 MFWD, JD 6415 MFWD, FEL, and cab, John Deere MFWD 4600, John Deere 4020, John Deere 4430, John Deere 455 mower, Deutz, and Gehl 4610 perkins skidsteer
Yesterday morning on my way to work I get a call from the dealer on the cell phone. Two of deere's guys are going to be at his dealership today. They asked if they could meet with me on the problems with the 5420 and make sure that I was happy with how I was treated. I said sure and we made arrangements to meet for lunch.
Two guys from Deere. One from marketing and research and the other guy was from design and dealer relations regarding problems with equpment. We talked about the 5420 first. They wanted to know everything I didn't like about it and exactly why it didn't work for me. They were extremely nice and were sorry it didn't work for me. They explained that they walk a fine line when matching equipment to implements. You don't want to tell a guy that they need too much or too little tractor. They were very honest and said yes the cab does take 5-8 hp to run. This is something they have already sent a memo to dealers to tell customers and that will be in the new brochure. They also said implements are rated to be run on flat ground. If you have hills you have to figure this in and they said typically you need an extra 10 hp if you are going to be working in alot of hills. We talked some more about the features of the tractor and then talked about the 6000 series. I specifically asked why they made them in Germany. Here is where I learned alot.
First of all they said they sell four times as many 6000 series tractors in Europe as they do over here. They said it was simple logistics there. They said regardless of what I've heard or other people have said John Deere designed every component of that tractor. He also said that John Deere's quality is above reproach. He said they have been bitten in the past by poor quality from mfg. He said they take it very seriously and they have represenatives in every mfg. facility for deere and be assured that deere does oversee the quality.
The other thing that he said that I didn't realize is that John Deere also owns many of these companies that make the different parts for tractors. He said they own controlling interests or are invested heavily in just about every mfg. for deere. He said you may not see the John Deere name but they still own the company.
The next thing we talked about was how much stuff was actually made here. He said Deere makes that decsision based on where the market is. Nearly all of the farming equipment, discs, plows, planters, sprayers, etc. are all made and mfg. here in the US. The 7000, 8000, and 9000 series tractors are all made here and like the 6000 series the boat that brings them over takes back a load of 7,8, and 9's. Also all of the combines are made here as well. He said the big farming equipment is where deere makes most of it's money and sells the most equipment.
These guys were extremely honest about things and told me some more stuff that I can't really say about the new gators, tractor research and such. They answered all of my questions very honestly and didn't pull any smokescreens. They were younger guys like myself and were some of the nicest corporate guys I've ever talked to. When we parted they thanked me again for being a deere customer, were apologetic again that the 5420 didn't work, and wanted to make sure I was happy with the process of getting the new tractor. I tryed to buy lunch but they wouldn't have any of it. They gave me two tickets to the Deere Classic PGA tourn. that is coming to Illinois. They also gave me a VIP to tour the facility in Waterloo where the big tractors are made.
To say the least I came away very impressed. Whenever there was a problem it only took deere the same day or by the next morning we had an answer. The whole process from buyback to getting the new tractor has taken a week. That is extremely impressive to me. When Ford bought my truck back last year for 10 times the problems of this tractor I had to get a lawyer, go through a dispute settlement board, denials from Ford, etc. etc. They never did admit anything and only blamed me for the problems with the truck. A long ordeal and never got so much as one kind word from them when the board found in my favor. Deere never one time tryed to not trade or make any excuses. They just did it, made it right with me beyond my expectations, and did it all in a week.
I came away with a new understanding of deere and why things are done the way they are. Some people may not like deere or think they're too expensive. You may think their people are too proud of deere. But after my experience over this tractor deal there is a very good reason they are the best and people are proud of them. They take care of the customer to the nth degree. It's no wonder they've survived as a company for over a 100 years.
Two guys from Deere. One from marketing and research and the other guy was from design and dealer relations regarding problems with equpment. We talked about the 5420 first. They wanted to know everything I didn't like about it and exactly why it didn't work for me. They were extremely nice and were sorry it didn't work for me. They explained that they walk a fine line when matching equipment to implements. You don't want to tell a guy that they need too much or too little tractor. They were very honest and said yes the cab does take 5-8 hp to run. This is something they have already sent a memo to dealers to tell customers and that will be in the new brochure. They also said implements are rated to be run on flat ground. If you have hills you have to figure this in and they said typically you need an extra 10 hp if you are going to be working in alot of hills. We talked some more about the features of the tractor and then talked about the 6000 series. I specifically asked why they made them in Germany. Here is where I learned alot.
First of all they said they sell four times as many 6000 series tractors in Europe as they do over here. They said it was simple logistics there. They said regardless of what I've heard or other people have said John Deere designed every component of that tractor. He also said that John Deere's quality is above reproach. He said they have been bitten in the past by poor quality from mfg. He said they take it very seriously and they have represenatives in every mfg. facility for deere and be assured that deere does oversee the quality.
The other thing that he said that I didn't realize is that John Deere also owns many of these companies that make the different parts for tractors. He said they own controlling interests or are invested heavily in just about every mfg. for deere. He said you may not see the John Deere name but they still own the company.
The next thing we talked about was how much stuff was actually made here. He said Deere makes that decsision based on where the market is. Nearly all of the farming equipment, discs, plows, planters, sprayers, etc. are all made and mfg. here in the US. The 7000, 8000, and 9000 series tractors are all made here and like the 6000 series the boat that brings them over takes back a load of 7,8, and 9's. Also all of the combines are made here as well. He said the big farming equipment is where deere makes most of it's money and sells the most equipment.
These guys were extremely honest about things and told me some more stuff that I can't really say about the new gators, tractor research and such. They answered all of my questions very honestly and didn't pull any smokescreens. They were younger guys like myself and were some of the nicest corporate guys I've ever talked to. When we parted they thanked me again for being a deere customer, were apologetic again that the 5420 didn't work, and wanted to make sure I was happy with the process of getting the new tractor. I tryed to buy lunch but they wouldn't have any of it. They gave me two tickets to the Deere Classic PGA tourn. that is coming to Illinois. They also gave me a VIP to tour the facility in Waterloo where the big tractors are made.
To say the least I came away very impressed. Whenever there was a problem it only took deere the same day or by the next morning we had an answer. The whole process from buyback to getting the new tractor has taken a week. That is extremely impressive to me. When Ford bought my truck back last year for 10 times the problems of this tractor I had to get a lawyer, go through a dispute settlement board, denials from Ford, etc. etc. They never did admit anything and only blamed me for the problems with the truck. A long ordeal and never got so much as one kind word from them when the board found in my favor. Deere never one time tryed to not trade or make any excuses. They just did it, made it right with me beyond my expectations, and did it all in a week.
I came away with a new understanding of deere and why things are done the way they are. Some people may not like deere or think they're too expensive. You may think their people are too proud of deere. But after my experience over this tractor deal there is a very good reason they are the best and people are proud of them. They take care of the customer to the nth degree. It's no wonder they've survived as a company for over a 100 years.