Damaged Fender

[M. Sullivan]

Disappointed to hear it costs $650. Had hoped Kubota would resist the temptation to gouge on parts. Can't be more than $200 worth cost, including 100% dealer margin in the thing.....

 

[Roy]

There are reasons, other than simple gouging, on why parts run so high within any dealer distribution network. Last article that I remember seeing addressed cars, maybe 10 or 15 years ago, but I'm sure there is still truth to it. At that time, they stated that the cost of building a car from parts (retail price) ran somewhere around 10 times the retail cost of the car itself. Factors: Dealers are expected to have on hand just about every part, for every model, going back 20 years or more. Parts are overly produced, just to meet the stocking demands. Those parts may occupy shelving space for 10 years before they are sold, if ever sold at all. As consumers, we don't want to hear 'It has be shipped from so-and-so, should be here in a week.' We want the parts, and we want them now. And we want somebody standing ready at the parts counter when we walk in, or to answer the phone (employees do cost money, lots of money above and beyond wages).

I except that the parts overhead for JD, Kubota, NH is around the same as for Ford, GM, Honda, etc. Now, you can reduce the overhead equation by buying a Gray-Market tractor. Parts warehoused in one centralized place, probably in China. Just don't get too upset when they tell you it will arrive in six months.


Roy

 

[Snell]

If there is a Kubota dealer out there making a 100% margin on parts, I'll... I'll... I don't know what I'd do but the fact being... Kubota has the lowest "mark-up" (i.e. list price... dealer $'s) out of all the major brands. Kubota also has a good program for dealer feedback on pricing. If the price seems outrageous to the dealer, they are able to appeal it and many times get it reduced... not just for them but for dealers all across the country. On this note I guess it is time for me to come out of hiding... I work for a family dealership in northern NY. Last week through this program, I was able to get the price of an alternator dropped $110.00 through this feedback process. Kubota is not unreasonable but as well stated, remember all these parts have to be shipped, warehoused, and be waiting for everyone who has the unfortunate experience of lending out their tractors with the best of intentions. Why is it that when you have a fender bender with the car that literally bends the fender you don't hear nearly as much complaining when you get the $1250 bill?

 

[skent]

Some things to remember about parts - they not only sit on the shelf (somewhere) for years and years and are part of SOMEONE'S inventory. With that comes Inventory tax! (Uncle Sam). They pay a tax on that stuff and eventually it gets passed on to you and me. Along with taking up storage space, most of the time in a heated building, insured, taking up real estate, sometimes having to be moved and re-arranged. Ever price one of those mini-storage places - they cost. So does the dealers (or warehouse) space. Best of luck with your fender!

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I think the price of the fender is a moot issue... the brother-in-law damaged it, he pays for it {no matter what the cost...oh well} and that's that./w3tcompact/icons/mad.gif

Like another poster stated, if he borrowed your car and wrecked a fender, wouldn't he be expected to pay for the car?

I just don't see any difference...sorry, my nickels worth./w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif

 

[jasonf]

Just curious, did he say anything at all to you after he got the bill, some people are just too much!!!!!

 

[MReeter]

Jason,I attached a note to the bill explaining that I hoped he understood that I really did'nt want a tough-up paint job with a rattle can,that I wanted my tractor to look as it did before the "incident".The shop I took the hood to belongs to a personal friend of mine,and one of his men did a super job on repairing the damage.Terry gave him (the neighbor) a very reasonable cost of only $125.00.I did receive a phone call,and he understood entirely,and promtly paid the bill.I guess the whole incident was a blessing in disguise,not too much later my neighbor broke down and bought his own Kubota.