Love it but regret it

Florida2610D · Sep 29, 2021

I absolute love my RK24 but I regret buying it. Customer service at my local store absolutely sucks. Trying to get an answer to a question or finding a part in person is almost impossible. I have never called my local store and been able to speak to anybody in the Tractor Department. They leave you on hold until you hang up. I tried five times in one day, same thing every time. I am talking 30 to 40 minutes on hold. So I never call anymore. I drive the 40 minutes to the store when I need something and when I finally get somebody from the tractor department to actually address me they act like it is an inconvenience to deal with my question or request. Some of the most miserable people I have ever dealt with. I wish you could just order RK or TYM parts online without having to deal with these people.

Diggin It · Sep 29, 2021

Florida2610D said:
Trying to get an answer to a question or

with my question or request.

What kind of questions and/or requests?

Florida2610D · Sep 29, 2021

Like trying to find out if they have a part in stock or if it has to be ordered. What hydraulic fluid do they recommend from the multiple brands they stock, or can I get somebody to load up this $2500 tiller I just bought. You name it, bad customer service.

DonRybak · Sep 29, 2021

Not sure where you are located in Florida but I've never felt blown off by the folks in the Lake Wales store but by the same token I've never tried contacting them by phone as far as tractor related. There's only two individuals there that I know of that really have experience with the tractors so it can be trying to make sure to hit the store when they aren't at lunch or their day off. As far as parts, both times I have needed parts covered under warranty they have ordered them for me then called me when they came in. I shattered the glass in one of my mirrors so I got the part number from the parts catalog on the RK Tractor site and took it to the store. While I was there they verified the part number and ordered the part right then. Like you, I wish you could just order the parts yourself on line and have it shipped to your house............

agjones · Sep 29, 2021

It is hit or miss between covid, staffing and locations, but my VA store has been pretty solid.

FYI I did discover that the local Mahindra dealer had me covered on filters, fluid and general knowledge for the 55 since they have a tym built version they sell.

CH4Ohio · Sep 29, 2021

I thought you were going to say that you regretted it after seeing the new RK25 that just came out. A lot more tractor with a lot bigger tires and frame for only $1000 more with loader. Saw a 24 and 25 side-by-side the other day. No comparison.

My neighbor has an RK24 and his biggest complaint with Rural King is that they won't let him trade his tractor in for something else. That's another area where they differ from a standard dealer. Won't take trade-ins or deal with any used equipment -- not even RK brand units.

Root Cause · Sep 29, 2021

CH4Ohio said:
I thought you were going to say that you regretted it after seeing the new RK25 that just came out. A lot more tractor with a lot bigger tires and frame for only $1000 more with loader. Saw a 24 and 25 side-by-side the other day. No comparison.

My neighbor has an RK24 and his biggest complaint with Rural King is that they won't let him trade his tractor in for something else. That's another area where they differ from a standard dealer. Won't take trade-ins or deal with any used equipment -- not even RK brand units.

No need for wiki. This is the definition of kicking a man when he is down.

Torvy · Sep 29, 2021

CH4Ohio said:
I thought you were going to say that you regretted it after seeing the new RK25 that just came out. A lot more tractor with a lot bigger tires and frame for only $1000 more with loader. Saw a 24 and 25 side-by-side the other day. No comparison.

My neighbor has an RK24 and his biggest complaint with Rural King is that they won't let him trade his tractor in for something else. That's another area where they differ from a standard dealer. Won't take trade-ins or deal with any used equipment -- not even RK brand units.

To be fair, you almost never get as much for anything in trade versus selling on your own. They are probably doing you a favor.

WADFL · Sep 29, 2021

These kind of thoughts are the reason I never seriously considered a RK tractor. I don't regret that decision.

Now, if they're selling at 50% off because they're exiting the tractor business, I'll take a RK55 please.

CH4Ohio · Sep 29, 2021

Root Cause said:
No need for wiki. This is the definition of kicking a man when he is down.

Sorry. That wasn't my intent.

Seems like RK has finally tried to fill the gap between their 24 and 37 with this new RK25 model. It was a big gap and I always wondered why they didn't have something in between.

CH4Ohio · Sep 29, 2021

Torvy said:
To be fair, you almost never get as much for anything in trade versus selling on your own. They are probably doing you a favor.

I agree with you. Always better to sell on your own if you can.

However, the situation I was referring to was my neighbor decided he should have bought a bigger tractor. He tried to move some stuff with the loader and realized that he should have gone with the next larger model. With less than 10 hours on the tractor he wanted to "return" it and "trade up" to the next larger tractor. Unlike most regular dealers, they couldn't seem to help him with that. They're set up to sell them new only.

I like RK. Just pointing out another difference in their business model.

Torvy · Sep 29, 2021

They don't have stores near here.

oosik · Sep 30, 2021

I certainly would not consider purchase of any brand tractor with dealer service as indicated by the OP. Life's just too short for that type of crap.

newbury · Sep 30, 2021

CH4Ohio said:
<snip>

My neighbor has an RK24 and his biggest complaint with Rural King is that they won't let him trade his tractor in for something else. That's another area where they differ from a standard dealer. Won't take trade-ins or deal with any used equipment -- not even RK brand units.

If this is a RK policy nation wide that would be a deal killer for me.

GeneV · Sep 30, 2021

Ok well, I will say that customer service in general has taken a long nosedive in America.

Melancholy Bear · Sep 30, 2021

I am having the same tractor service frustrations in Sweetwater, TN. Eternal holds, store and mobile tractor mechanics quit, new tractor mechanic never available in person or on phone, never answers phone, never calls back when leaving my number, etc. I've tried emailing and calling for the corporate service vice-president unsuccessfully. RK seems to have gone from good service to horrible service.

Florida2610D · Oct 1, 2021

I sent a message to the Ask the RK Tractor Guy on the website a few days ago. Still no response besides the automated reply that they will get back to me soon. I want to buy a supplemental set of R1 tires and wheels. I currently have R4 but would like some R1 tires, just because I can. I can't throw money at this company, they don't want it. Part numbers and price please, that's all I want. I guess I have to go on a road trip again.

agjones · Oct 1, 2021

Florida2610D said:
I sent a message to the Ask the RK Tractor Guy on the website a few days ago. Still no response besides the automated reply that they will get back to me soon. I want to buy a supplemental set of R1 tires and wheels. I currently have R4 but would like some R1 tires, just because I can. I can't throw money at this company, they don't want it. Part numbers and price please, that's all I want. I guess I have to go on a road trip again.

It's a common tire size. Throw your money elsewhere.

Florida2610D · Oct 1, 2021

agjones said:
It's a common tire size. Throw your money elsewhere.

Yes, you are correct. I found a lot of sources for the tires, having trouble finding the rims to go with them. Thanks.

Jchonline · Oct 1, 2021

Florida2610D said:
I sent a message to the Ask the RK Tractor Guy on the website a few days ago. Still no response besides the automated reply that they will get back to me soon. I want to buy a supplemental set of R1 tires and wheels. I currently have R4 but would like some R1 tires, just because I can. I can't throw money at this company, they don't want it. Part numbers and price please, that's all I want. I guess I have to go on a road trip again.

If you have the $ to blow, why not sell this machine and go with a dealer/brand you are more comfortable with. Deere, MF, Yanmar, LS, Kioti, Kubota…lots of choices. Imagine how it will be when/if the machine has a real issue and needs service.