Am I Too Picky?

[OrangeAgain]

Last November when my new JD 4720 cab tractor with FEL was delivered it was in pristine condition. No mud. No Dents. No scratches. No scrapes. I don't use my equipment hard, strive to keep it in good working order and condition and even had a new building built to store it out of the weather. This will be the last tractor I will ever need or want.

My 4720 was recently at my dealer's to have the backhoe attached. Given that the tractor has been in my possession since it was delivered I know exactly what condition it was in when the dealer picked it up. No dents, scratches or scrapes.

The same day the dealer returned my tractor with the backhoe, I noticed two small scratches (scrapes) on one of the FEL arms. I can't imagine how these happened, but they must have happened at the dealer.

I know the scrapes don't affect the functionality of the tractor, but it does affect the appearance.

Am I being too picky about expecting that my dealer will NOT dent, scratch or scrape my tractor?

PS - I also found a plastic screw in the cab that wasn't there before the dealer took it. They also replaced a part to the air-ride seat.

 

[silvertramp]

I really try to shine on the small stuff. The ride's too short to look for bumps in the road. Get some touch up paint. You'll use it.

 

[Wacky]

Yes, you should expect to receive the unit back in the same condition it was picked up. But you won't find many tractor dealers employees who look at it that way. It is a tractor after all, it is bound to get a few scratches. If it was a new car that is a different story. Regardless people should respect other peoples equipment. You should question the screw though. I would mention the condition the tractor was to the dealer, but don't be surprised if they don't see your point of view.

 

[digger2]

I know where your coming from guy.Its happened to me a couple of times,not with my tractor,but to my vehicles.It'll probably turn out nobody knows anything about it(even though they do).
I try to keep my machines,all of them,in good shape even though it is extra trouble.Its worth it to me.I hate to say it but you might as well chalk it up to expierience and just touch it up.................digger2

 

[Gale Hawkins]

How did they tie it down?

I have to say buying highly used stuff has increase my joy level. Unless it is the exhaust stack or a rubber hose I just push on through the underbush, etx.

 

[SixHoeBob]

You might show a picture of the scratches to the dealer and service manager as you buy a can of touch-up paint from them. Just to make them aware for the next time it goes in for service. After you drop a rock or a log on the hood, bend a fender, break the grill, slash a tire, rip a steel line off the bottom of the tractor, etc., the scratches won't be nearly as annoying. Tractors get battle scars, the goal though is to keep them to a minimum.:thumbsup:

 

[Ford tractor]

I understand that your tractor is new and your pride and joy, but the dealer sees them as implements that are supposed to get used and used hard. Unlike auto dealerships where how they look is MORE important than how they operate.

 

[SixHoeBob]

I have well used equipment that I bought to use. But that does not mean the equipment gets used excessively hard. I try to avoid repair bills. A guy told me I was running the 953B too slow. I told him to take his 167K and go buy his own. Bring it out, and I will beat it in the rocks as hard as he can afford.:thumbsup:

My machines will be treated as I see fit, and no you can't borrow them.

 

[Cat_Driver]

You need to learn to let let it go. I am never more happy than when my new stuff gets it's first dent, scratch etc. Then and only then can I relax and enjoy my stuff. New cars make me nuts till I get the first ding.

After that I'm free to never wash or wax the car again till I sell it. I bought a new 2007 vehicle and it has yet to be washed. I'm FRE!!!! Because a guys fiberglas cap blew into me in high winds and have me a good shot.

My brother is the opposite of me, to the point that he never uses his stuff for fear of scratching it. He and his wife have the typical "museum room" where you can't go in with shows and plastic on everything etc. Heck he spent thousands to put in a fire place and refuses to use it for fear of getting it dirty. YA I KNOW!!!. He had a car once when we were kids that he waxed EVERY DAY. He actually rubbed the paint off the car from waxing it so much. He rubbed it right down to the primer by just using wax.

 

[Richard]

Can't find a picture of the whole unit... (someone else took this picture)

Once you get to look like this you focus more on getting the work done and what's for lunch rather than worrying about a tube (or 5 gallon bucket as it may be ) of touch up paint.

 

[jinman]

I agree with the others. You have to pick your battles wisely. Ask about the loose screw in the cab, but let the other scratches go. They probably don't even remember when or where the scratches were done. Fixing them yourself will bring you lots less grief than trying to get satisfaction from the dealer.

 

[hizoot]

I'm pretty picky too...especially when stuff is new. My 2520 came with a couple of scratches on it new. I found that the valspar paint sold by Tractor supply is a perfect match. I've read where valspar is the supplier for John Deere OEM paint. It is hearsay, not sure if fact or not.

 

[crashz]

I think that you can be a little picky here. You just bought an expensive tractor. And evidently an expensive backhoe. Since both are going to get scratched and dented anyway, why not ask for a free can of touch-up paint? If the dealer is close by, stop in with the loose screw, tell them what you see, buy some service parts (oil, grease, filters, etc for your 50 hr service) and ask for some touch up paint. By showing that you'll be a repeat customer, any reasonable dealer would try to help you out.

For what its worth, my JD dealer has a mediocre sales staff, but the parts dept is very good. They usually stock everything, or ship within a day or so, and they do all they can for me. I once got a free ball cap from them because a part was ordered wrong. Pretty decent service, and yet I only buy service parts from my little JD 770, which has probably been less than $400 in the 9 or 10 years that I've owned it.

 

[Scotty370]

I agree with "Jin" (...pick your battles wisely...) and crashz (...free touch-up paint...)! Hey, It's not your Jag, Benz, or Lambourgini. It 'bites' to get those first scars, but really, is it worth jeoprodizing a dealer relationship.......? The "Oh, Here comes 'Mister Perfection' from the Service Dept Staff" the next time you come in? As for the screw, I'm sure there're are plenty of 'fasteners' floating around in even the finest of autos comming off the 'line'! The plastic screw, likely had no function in the Backhoe attachment. I'd let it go,. But it's your 'rig' and your money.......! ~Scotty

 

[Qapla]

OK - to answer your original post question - Yes, you are being too picky.

Tractors get dinged during NORMAL use and after a while you will get used to it.

However, I would keep an eye on what happens the next time you take it to the dealer. If every time you take it to the dealer it comes back with damage, I would be concerned.