B3030 seat upgrade. Dealer wants $194.73

[bowhunter3030]

My dealer emailed me back and told me the upgrade special on the seat is over and the price is $194.73. Can I get the seat from someone else at a better price?

Thanks,
Steve

 

[DiezNutz]

You might still be able to get one from Messick's. Did you buy your B3030 new from this dealer? Did he notify you of the seat program when it came out?

 

[bowhunter3030]

You might still be able to get one from Messick's. Did you buy your B3030 new from this dealer? Did he notify you of the seat program when it came out?

Yes, I bought it from them.
No, they didn't let me know about it.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

Its very possible that the dealer did not order any of those seats under the discounted program and this is the only way they can sell them.

 

[DiezNutz]

Yes, I bought it from them.
No, they didn't let me know about it.

By now you might be thinking your dealer is a real knob (at least I would be). Not only did (a) they not notify you of the seat replacement program, but (b) they did not order any/enough of the discounted seats when they had the opportunity, to take care of their customers. Neither of those things would've been any real sweat off of their back. A perfect way for them to strengthen customer relations at virtually no cost or obligation to them since Kubota's footing the bill. The only thing that's not clear is whether apathy or incompetence is the proper charge, because it's impossible to believe they didn't know about this program. I also don't buy the excuse that "well, you had to complain to get it", because (a) that's a poor customer relations strategy, and (b) many of us will not complain if we don't see how it will do any good.

I like kubotafan's suggestion. And I hope you have another dealer in your area that is more deserving of your future business.

 

[bowhunter3030]

By now you might be thinking your dealer is a real knob (at least I would be). Not only did (a) they not notify you of the seat replacement program, but (b) they did not order any/enough of the discounted seats when they had the opportunity, to take care of their customers. Neither of those things would've been any real sweat off of their back. A perfect way for them to strengthen customer relations at virtually no cost or obligation to them since Kubota's footing the bill. The only thing that's not clear is whether apathy or incompetence is the proper charge, because it's impossible to believe they didn't know about this program. I also don't buy the excuse that "well, you had to complain to get it", because (a) that's a poor customer relations strategy, and (b) many of us will not complain if we don't see how it will do any good.

I like kubotafan's suggestion. And I hope you have another dealer in your area that is more deserving of your future business.

They told me they didn't order any of the seats because no one complained about them, so they can't help me on the price. I will order one from Messick's today. I have 3 furniture, appliance, electronics, and computer stores. If I had a customer that was in my shape, I would get on the phone to my manufacturer's rep. and make him take care of me and my customer no matter what. If I don't make my customer's happy, I don't eat!

 

[hill]

I'll reiterate DiezNutz' comments as to the poor treatment this dealer is trying to give you. If it turns out that you do have to buy one, buy it somewhere else.

The dealer I bought from has assured us that the seat will be provided at no cost to us whenever he receives his ordered number of them. He said that he ordered enough to cover all of his projected sales until the seat is OEM installed on newer tractors and that he paid some $20. a piece for them and will eat that cost as a goodwill to his customers.

 

[bowhunter3030]

I'll reiterate DiezNutz' comments as to the poor treatment this dealer is trying to give you. If it turns out that you do have to buy one, buy it somewhere else.

The dealer I bought from has assured us that the seat will be provided at no cost to us whenever he receives his ordered number of them. He said that he ordered enough to cover all of his projected sales until the seat is OEM installed on newer tractors and that he paid some $20. a piece for them and will eat that cost as a goodwill to his customers.

I got off on the wrong foot with them from the start (crooked loader). I had a problem right from the get go and they had to come out and pick up my tractor to fix the defect. When they brought it back they handed me a $75 pick up and delivery fee that no one told me about. Naturally, I called the owner and she told me Kubota doesn't reimburse them. I told them that if they told me up front, I would have brought it in myself, I have a 20' trailer just for this tractor. We argued and she finally dropped the charge. I am sure she put an * by my name in her computer.
I just got off the phone with Jeff, at Messick's and he put me on the back order list for a seat. Thank's Messick's for doing what my dealer should have done. Wish you guys were closer!

 

[DiezNutz]

I hate to hear about those kinds of dealers. They really do a disservice to all of us. There will be some customers with problems who will associate this dealer's M.O. with Kubota's image and even worse it may sour them on their tractor altogether. I remember your crooked loader problem... as far as I'm concerned any problem you have in the first 30 days (especially one that obvious) the dealer should be willing to make it right at no obligation to you, regardless of what it may cost them. They should figure on those kinds of contingencies as a cost of doing business and maintaining lasting customer relationships.

If I had to hazard a guess based on nothing other that what I can infer, I'd say this owner isn't the original owner (e.g., a relative of whoever started the business) and may only be interested in what they can get out of it. And eventually they'll bleed it dry and run it into the ground.

Anyway, I hope your new seat works out great

 

[bowhunter3030]

I hate to hear about those kinds of dealers. They really do a disservice to all of us. There will be some customers with problems who will associate this dealer's M.O. with Kubota's image and even worse it may sour them on their tractor altogether. I remember your crooked loader problem... as far as I'm concerned any problem you have in the first 30 days (especially one that obvious) the dealer should be willing to make it right at no obligation to you, regardless of what it may cost them. They should figure on those kinds of contingencies as a cost of doing business and maintaining lasting customer relationships.

If I had to hazard a guess based on nothing other that what I can infer, I'd say this owner isn't the original owner (e.g., a relative of whoever started the business) and may only be interested in what they can get out of it. And eventually they'll bleed it dry and run it into the ground.

Anyway, I hope your new seat works out great

I tell my people that you must always do everything possible to make the customer happy.