backorder experience?

psuedofarmer · Jun 28, 2004

i realize how difficult it is when a corporate move disrupts business. i've had it happen to me recently, and even when things go smoothly, it's invasive when you're trying to get a job done.. but to be honest, this distribution problem seems more than just a move issue - someone commented that they waited a few months for a BH (and that was WELL before the move).

my farm is located in southwestern NH, near the massachusetts/vermont border (~80 miles northwest of boston).

my dealer (ken valenti in keene NH) found another DK55c in connecticut - but even if i get that tractor (via conway, or some other carrier) up here, i'm still missing the BH subframe mount and the 18" bucket.

i realize i'm impatient - i just want someone to be a little more upfront with me about when i can expect delivery. if someone tells me august, fine - but if someone tells me next week, and that goes on for another couple of weeks, i'm probably going to be a little annoyed.

on a side note - let me be clear that my dealer - ken valenti - has been spectacular during all of this.. the difficult part is convincing my wife that the large amount of cash i took out of the bank will actually translate into a tractor - instead of an empty bank account with nothing to show for it.

pf

depratt_equip · Jun 28, 2004

The BH Sub frame is made by KMW, if you dealer hasn't already I would have him get in touch with Jeremy @ KMW to check the status. They usually drop ship straight from there to the dealers.

I too agree I like my suppliers to be upfront with be on delivery times. I have had this problem from one of my vendors saying 2-3 days and it turning into almost a month for a BH for one of my customers (was not a Kioti BH). It is very annoying and frustrating to have this happen.

Hopefully you will find out some good news today or tomorrow morning from your dealer.

SteveH_CT · Jun 28, 2004

Well you are definitely experiencing "growing pains". /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif Kioti makes a very cool looking and solid product, but what you're experiencing is what lead me to another brand and shop. I'm just not the type to want to blaze trails with new brands, and the experience I had around here was not confidence inspiring. But if you can stick with it I'm sure you'll get a fine machine in the end. If the wait gets to be too much I'd re-price the M series you're talking about. I know Kioti's tend to be a bit less than the competition, but surely not $20k?

Good Luck with it either way - I hope to see a pic of your new machine soon.

Steve

sweettractors · Jun 28, 2004

4 tractors on a truck to save on freight (which is just good business). It costs the same to run a full truck as a partial load. 

Skitch--Your dealer is doing it the hard way !! We have ours come in on the enclosed van common carier trucks 53 ft long with lift gates and could get 8 per load in the crate. We assemble the tractors and save several $, in addition to savings on shipping costs also ($75 per unit on a full load)--Ken Sweet

Sweet Farm Equipment LLC *New and Used Sickle Bar Mowers in Stock*

psuedofarmer · Jun 28, 2004

a L5030 (priced in NH at 2 different dealers) was $42,000. the M-series equivalent to the DK55c (with FEL and BH) was actually more than 20k above what i paid for the DK55 (but that estimate for the M-series was a 'ballpark' figure.. the Kubota dealer is working on the exact quote today).

i spoke with the sales rep @ kioti this afternoon - i let him know (in a very friendly way) that i needed to hear from him what the status of the order was.. is it still on the lot?

turns out that the tractor (after being ordered on 15 June) is still at the factory.

i'm going to provide the benefit of the doubt in this case - because i still believe firmly that kioti is a great piece of equipment at the right price.

however - my patience has a limit. i'll wait until the 3rd week (July 6th) from the date the tractor was ordered. if i can't get a firm commitment from Kioti about when the tractor will ship, or better yet, when they can confirm some delivery date, i'll buy the M-series.

it's more $ to be sure, but i'm not getting any work done waiting. and to me, time = $$.

pf

depratt_equip · Jun 28, 2004

He may be also getting loader and other implements on that load. I have never heard of getting tractors on an enclosed van carrier before. I figured the DK45's would be to large, and the DK55's and DK65's come with wheels and tires. All ours come on 50ft flatbed's created up then we just fork them off, in many cases two at a time. I would almost think an enclosed trailer would make it harder to get everything off.... but I've never had one like that yet...

wallace · Jun 28, 2004

I have the subframe and the bucket in stock and I would be more than happy to help you and or your dealer out.
All though I am a waiting the hardware kit to mount the subframe.
I have a backhoe that I will be mounting this week but I am not 100% sure of what bucket it takes I think I have a couple of 18 in stock

RedDog · Jun 28, 2004

(

however - my patience has a limit. i'll wait until the 3rd week (July 6th) from the date the tractor was ordered. if i can't get a firm commitment from Kioti about when the tractor will ship, or better yet, when they can confirm some delivery date, i'll buy the M-series.

)

I can't blame you for going that route, but not at that price!! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

RedDog

RedDog · Jun 28, 2004

( He may be also getting loader and other implements on that load. I have never heard of getting tractors on an enclosed van carrier before. I figured the DK45's would be to large, and the DK55's and DK65's come with wheels and tires. All ours come on 50ft flatbed's created up then we just fork them off, in many cases two at a time. I would almost think an enclosed trailer would make it harder to get everything off.... but I've never had one like that yet... )

I've delivered many JD Gators & tractors to dealers. These dealers basically have a mound of grass and dirt that I would back up to and throw down a 6x6 or something equivilant. But if they didn't have these conditions it wouldn't happen. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

RedDog

KAB · Jun 28, 2004

Not that you would lie... Just stretch the truth a little /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif.

SO often people will say how great something is untill you try it for yourself and find that it does not do the job that you need it to do.

Kurt