Dealer Mishap or intentional??

[TheSaltyHam]

I recently purchased a tractor from a dealer that is about 100 miles from me. I know, that was probably a poor move based on where I知 heading with this post. After doing a lot of research and visiting several local dealers (tried out **** near every brand) I decided a Kioti CK3510SE HST was the right tractor for me. I chatted with my local dealer who was pretty set on their price, which was fine until he found out I was also in the market for a zero turn and UTV. He promised a great discount if I gave him a shot at all three. Long story short he offered me a $427 discount if I bought all three versus their listed prices. I told him I was not interested in veering away from the brands I desired for mower and UTV over $400, no big deal as he hadn稚 wasted my time to quote it. I got a nice email back about his prices being the best price upfront, blah blah. I emailed back and said I understood if that was the case, which was why I didn稚 bock at his offer, just said discount wasn稚 worth abandoning the Bad Boy and Polaris I had been set on. Next email I got offered about $2500 discount. That pissed me off because I then felt he was trying to deceive me before about best price. Needless to say I moved on to the next closest dealer.

I want to say this dealer has been great from the start. I worked everything via email and phone on the tractor and a Polaris UTV, and they gave me a great price upfront before I ever even inquired about the UTV. A day prior to them delivering the equipment to me the sales rep called me to say they had just gotten a new incentive on the 40hp models from the manufacturer. I used to run a powersports dealership so I understand this was likely to cover a issue that popped up. I knew they only had one 35hp model two days prior because she asked if I wanted the one sitting on the lot or a brand new one out of the crate just a week later. I opted for the one on the lot. Now quick detail here. In email earlier in the week she sent me the pricing on the tractor. It said CK3510HST followed by price. I responded inquiring about the difference between CK3510SE HST and quoted model knowing I壇 asked for SE pricing and all the differences (trying to let her catch her mistake). She responded saying she was quoting the SE just failed to include that when typing. Fast forward to Friday (day before delivery) and I知 offered the 40hp version exactly like the tractor I知 buying for the same price because of this incentive. I verbally verify it is the same exact tractor and am told it is all the same except the horsepower. The tractor arrived. I was ecstatic and needed to get mowing so didn稚 check to make sure all the features were there. I noticed the next day and spent a few days ensuring I was right before making myself look stupid. Sure enough, missing Horn, side mirrors, cruise, rear hydraulic, telescopic links/stabilizer, toolbox, and a few more. Funny enough it has the upgraded seat and floor mat though.

Here we are today. I emailed the rep to inform her I received the wrong tractor. I played it nice, but what do you think? Honest mistake or intentional deceit?

 

[JK22]

Errrm. I’d go with careless salesperson. Not double checking to make sure the options were the same and eager to make a sale. Maybe just a new employee? Hard to say. But I’d be irritated.

 

[txdon]

Try to look forward and don't waste time looking back trying to figure out or prove intent. Get things corrected to your satisfaction. Good luck!

 

[rademamj1]

To be strictly honest, I find a certain amount of confusion exists in your overall purchasing approach and also in receiving of the delivered tractor. Always check your tractor when they are making delivery, to insure your getting exactly the specific tractor model and options you wanted before signing. Verify the sales receipt properly lists each tractor option and sometimes the additional cost of that option.

Therefore, I must assume it was an honest mistake by the dealer, possibly due to confusion, and you can easily rectify by going back to the Kioti dealer and directly and very clearly discuss exactly what tractor you were delivered, and what options you want added to your tractor. Provide them a complete list. They will do the install for you.

In general, I have found most all tractor dealers are fundamentally honest, regardless of the tractor color. So when I read things like this happens, its usually dealer and buyer are not on same page during the purchase.

 

[two_bit_score]

“Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by incompetency.”

 

[chevy]

Did you get paperwork to review before delivery? You should have. Sorry to say this, but, if you signed the paperwork that stated the model you got, then legally this is all on you.

 

[oosik]

I'm confused.

 

[TheSaltyHam]

Did you get paperwork to review before delivery? You should have. Sorry to say this, but, if you signed the paperwork that stated the model you got, then legally this is all on you.

Actually in this case the paperwork would not need to carry the SE as part of the model. It is similar to purchasing a Ford F-150, not often will you see the trim level included on the paperwork. Tractors not being a titled item, at least in my state, really means there isn稚 much required in the way of paperwork.

 

[TheSaltyHam]

“Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by incompetency.”

Good way to look at it. That is where my head is at, but it痴 hard to shake that thought. Either way, it sounds like they are going to make it right.

 

[TheSaltyHam]

To be strictly honest, I find a certain amount of confusion exists in your overall purchasing approach and also in receiving of the delivered tractor. Always check your tractor when they are making delivery, to insure your getting exactly the specific tractor model and options you wanted before signing. Verify the sales receipt properly lists each tractor option and sometimes the additional cost of that option.

Therefore, I must assume it was an honest mistake by the dealer, possibly due to confusion, and you can easily rectify by going back to the Kioti dealer and directly and very clearly discuss exactly what tractor you were delivered, and what options you want added to your tractor. Provide them a complete list. They will do the install for you.

In general, I have found most all tractor dealers are fundamentally honest, regardless of the tractor color. So when I read things like this happens, its usually dealer and buyer are not on same page during the purchase.

That痴 the assumption I have taken. I may have made it sound more confusing than it was. The deal was very concise and communication was good between us. It sounds like they are going to correct the situation though based on the email I received late yesterday.

 

[TheSaltyHam]

Errrm. I壇 go with careless salesperson. Not double checking to make sure the options were the same and eager to make a sale. Maybe just a new employee? Hard to say. But I壇 be irritated.

Unfortunately a new employee can稚 explain it since she痴 worked there for 15 years, but I知 of the belief there was some outside pressure to move me to the unit. I知 not really irritated as I know mistakes happen. I just have a little thought of intent continually popping up in my hear. But they sent an email making it sound like they are going to make it right so I can稚 complain at all.

 

[TheSaltyHam]

Try to look forward and don't waste time looking back trying to figure out or prove intent. Get things corrected to your satisfaction. Good luck!

Youæ±*e absolutely right. Itç—´ just one of those nagging thoughts in the back of my head. Sounds like theyæ±*e going to correct it though.

 

[nards444]

To be honest if you signed the paperwork and took delivery that is you fault not theirs. Sounds like you are as much as the problem here as anything with the round and round emails and such.

 

[arrow]

In thinking either way, what would be the differentiated outcomes for you once you settled in on a thought process of duplicity or mistake? Which way would you rather have gone?

 

[TheSaltyHam]

To be honest if you signed the paperwork and took delivery that is you fault not theirs. Sounds like you are as much as the problem here as anything with the round and round emails and such.

Yes, haha, round and round emails. It痴 all good though. In case you weren稚 aware email communication is the best way to be able to go back and reference previous conversation. By no means does it fully replace speaking, but it provides a nice record of discussion. For example, my email to the sales rep yesterday (because it isn稚 an urgent matter and they need time to need feel like a deer in the headlights) addressed that I 努as concerned the tractor was missing features that should be found in the SE (with examples). I asked if it was indeed an SE model since it seemed to be missing a good chunk of those features. Funny enough the rep responded last night and acknowledged fault for the mistake because I also happened to include the previous email where I verified she was selling me an SE. I get it, you can稚 possibly know the whole story. But keep in mind, as previously stated, I come from a very similar working background. I know all the little things that can and do go wrong, as well as how to best avoid them. The best customer is someone who doesn稚 beat you up on price, show up all the time to chat, constantly call, and generally just be that itch that won稚 go away. Email is great for both parties. You have record of conversation, and it allows one to recap the conversation if they have forgotten where things were at (especially nice for the salesperson and management). It also prevents a he said she said moment, which undoubtedly turns the relationship sour. Was a mistake made? Yes. Am I pissed? No, but I would like to have an adequate remedy provided. I知 not demanding that they take the tractor back. I know what parts mattered to me on the SE and will happily take those being installed and the rest forgotten.

 

[TheSaltyHam]

There seems to be a disconnect for a couple of you getting poopy pants about my post. You are making a lot of unnecessary accusations about this as if I致e stormed in and made ridiculous demands of the dealer. I posted this just to tell a fun little story about my experience. I don稚 need someone else to tell me what happened and who is at fault. I致e already made contact with the dealer so we can find a solution that works for everyone. So maybe calm down, read the story for what it is, and don稚 feel the need to offer advice that was asked for. It痴 just a tractor. I知 not getting bent out of shape about it so why should anyone else?

 

[TractorGuy]

Having precise email verification will work in your favor should they try to not make it right. Good luck with the resolution.

Having been bit twice on distance purchases the last time I bought a vehicle from an out of town dealer I made sure they sent me a detailed buyers order with language stating it was the out the door price including all taxes and fees via email before I went to pick it up. At the signing they sprung a surprise on me and I should have walked but I wanted the vehicle so I loaded up and left. After the fact I emailed the dealership owner and complained of the difference and provided the buyers order. He sent me a check for the difference.

It is always best to have it all go as planned but just because you take delivery doesn't always mean you are without resolution.

 

[TheSaltyHam]

I suspect they will do everything they can to make it right. I think my title was a bit misleading for some based on responses. I don't know if I adequately described just how great they have been to work with. I would put them on a list of about three dealers I've done business with that didn't make it painful. It is something I always took great pride in with my business, so it is nice to see others do the same. I'm not sure about everyone else's location, but central Iowa seems to be very cut throat when it comes to auto, powersports, and ag. Most dealers aren't worth your time because they play a very aggressive "used car salesman" game with you. I enjoy the process of car shopping, but I've been a couple places where even I couldn't get away quick enough.

 

[two_bit_score]

Good way to look at it. That is where my head is at, but itç—´ hard to shake that thought. Either way, it sounds like they are going to make it right.

I hope it works out and you are satisfied. There is some obligation on your part to verify that what you received was what you wanted before accepting it.

Good Luck!

 

[two_bit_score]

Having precise email verification will work in your favor should they try to not make it right. Good luck with the resolution.

Having been bit twice on distance purchases the last time I bought a vehicle from an out of town dealer I made sure they sent me a detailed buyers order with language stating it was the out the door price including all taxes and fees via email before I went to pick it up. At the signing they sprung a surprise on me and I should have walked but I wanted the vehicle so I loaded up and left. After the fact I emailed the dealership owner and complained of the difference and provided the buyers order. He sent me a check for the difference.

It is always best to have it all go as planned but just because you take delivery doesn't always mean you are without resolution.

And if you would have brought up the discrepancy at the time it could have been corrected immediately without all the drama of a “walk out”.

.