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John Deere pulls local franchise
Posted: Tuesday, Sep 8th, 2009
BY: Amanda Hayes/Senior Staff Writer 9-7-09
This John Deere tractor is one of the many pieces of equipment that may soon disappear from longtime Upshur County business L&T Farm Equipment if the decision to revoke their franchise goes through. The familiar green and yellow of the John Deere logo will be absent from a local farm equipment store starting in November unless the corporate office relents.
L&T Farm Equipment, located in Tennerton across from the West Virginia State Police barracks, was notified last week that October 31 would be its last date as a John Deere franchise.
"They say we are not performing up to their expectations, co-owner Lancel Light said Friday afternoon. We are not selling enough equipment."
The business was first told about the possibility of losing the franchise in April, but Light said in the last few days there has been a big push from the corporate office.
"It means we are going to lose our John Deere dealership, and all the parts and service to our customers is going to be eliminated, he said.
Light's brother started L&T Farm Equipment 24 years ago, and Light and Tim Cutright purchased the dealership from him.
Over the years, Light said the business has built up a client base from Upshur and surrounding counties.
"Our main disappointment is for our customers, he said. They've been depending on us and our dealership."
Light said there is something customers can do to make their feelings known: Letters of support for L&T Farm Equipment to keep its John Deere franchise may be written to John Deere, Attention Grant Tice, 5400 Frantz Road Suite 300, Dublin, OH 43016.
Despite the probability of losing the John Deere franchise, Light said the business will remain open.
We not closing up and we're not going out of business, he said. "We built this business on service to the customers."
L&T Farm Equipment carries a few other lines, and Light said the business would be searching for another tractor line to replace John Deere.
Local farmers expressed their disappointment with the news.
Upshur County resident Buddy Brady said, "It's kind of disappointing to anybody that has John Deere equipment. Their (L&T Farm Equipment) service cannot be beat."
Brady said he had already called Tice and plans to write a letter to the company.
If John Deere really cares about their customers, then why are they doing this? he asked.
Another local farmer, George Roessing, said having to go to Flatwoods or Fairmont (the two closest John Deere dealers) would make things tough if there was an equipment breakdown.
"L & T has been awful good on service, he said. "Now we've got to go 100 miles for repairs. I've used John Deere equipment for years but I will no longer use John Deere if there is any other equipment within a reasonable distance."
Posted: Tuesday, Sep 8th, 2009
BY: Amanda Hayes/Senior Staff Writer 9-7-09
L&T Farm Equipment, located in Tennerton across from the West Virginia State Police barracks, was notified last week that October 31 would be its last date as a John Deere franchise.
"They say we are not performing up to their expectations, co-owner Lancel Light said Friday afternoon. We are not selling enough equipment."
The business was first told about the possibility of losing the franchise in April, but Light said in the last few days there has been a big push from the corporate office.
"It means we are going to lose our John Deere dealership, and all the parts and service to our customers is going to be eliminated, he said.
Light's brother started L&T Farm Equipment 24 years ago, and Light and Tim Cutright purchased the dealership from him.
Over the years, Light said the business has built up a client base from Upshur and surrounding counties.
"Our main disappointment is for our customers, he said. They've been depending on us and our dealership."
Light said there is something customers can do to make their feelings known: Letters of support for L&T Farm Equipment to keep its John Deere franchise may be written to John Deere, Attention Grant Tice, 5400 Frantz Road Suite 300, Dublin, OH 43016.
Despite the probability of losing the John Deere franchise, Light said the business will remain open.
We not closing up and we're not going out of business, he said. "We built this business on service to the customers."
L&T Farm Equipment carries a few other lines, and Light said the business would be searching for another tractor line to replace John Deere.
Local farmers expressed their disappointment with the news.
Upshur County resident Buddy Brady said, "It's kind of disappointing to anybody that has John Deere equipment. Their (L&T Farm Equipment) service cannot be beat."
Brady said he had already called Tice and plans to write a letter to the company.
If John Deere really cares about their customers, then why are they doing this? he asked.
Another local farmer, George Roessing, said having to go to Flatwoods or Fairmont (the two closest John Deere dealers) would make things tough if there was an equipment breakdown.
"L & T has been awful good on service, he said. "Now we've got to go 100 miles for repairs. I've used John Deere equipment for years but I will no longer use John Deere if there is any other equipment within a reasonable distance."
