Dealer is really poor sport!

Tollster · May 26, 2006

If it was me there would be no second chance. This guy is trying to use your neighborly ways to his advantage. Sooner or later you will be taken advantage of. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
Think about what type of neighbor he's been, does he really help out with anything in a neighborly way or is it more about him and his material items? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif This guy just wants your hard earned money so move on. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif This was evident with your previous conversations prior to purchase of your bota.
Furthermore, if this guy continues to be an A S S.).( I may consider putting up a competitors sign in my yard across form his shop just to convey a neighborly gesture. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Hehheeee

Tollster · May 26, 2006

If it was me there would be no second chance. This guy is trying to use your neighborly ways to his advantage. Sooner or later you will be taken advantage of. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
Think about what type of neighbor he's been, does he really help out with anything in a neighborly way or is it more about him and his material items? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif This guy just wants your hard earned money so move on. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif This was evident with your previous conversations prior to purchase of your bota.
Furthermore, if this guy continues to be an A S S.).( I may consider putting up a competitors sign in my yard across form his shop just to convey a neighborly gesture. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Hehheeee

Tom_H · May 26, 2006

( I asked him if they'd be willing to work on my Tractor since I am right down the road.....

You know what he said? He said, "We'd really rather not."

I told him I wasn't interested in the snowblower or the Brush Hog, handed him the tractor hardware I was going to buy, and said, "thanks, but I guess I'll buy my stuff somewhere else."

He shrugged and walked away.)

It seems that you asked a simple enough question. It also seems that he gave a simple answer, "We'd really rather not." He knows you have a new tractor, not his make. As a dealer, he also knows this would likely invalidate your warranty." I see no indication whatsoever that he said anything rude, unkind, or inappropriate.

Now, because he prefers not to service a tractor that's not their make, you decide to hand the items to him and in front of (I presume) other customers, indicate that you will simply do no business of any kind with him because you didn't get your way. I'm sorry, but IMHO, it is you who was being a poor sport. In fact, your behavior seems almost intended to be provocative.

Next, instead of taking your bait, the dealer sloughs off your contentious barb, and walks away. He was showing you that he wasn't going to let you get under his skin. He was going to maintain control over his own attitude and not allow himself to be manipulated by your attempts to start something.

Tom_H · May 26, 2006

( I asked him if they'd be willing to work on my Tractor since I am right down the road.....

You know what he said? He said, "We'd really rather not."

I told him I wasn't interested in the snowblower or the Brush Hog, handed him the tractor hardware I was going to buy, and said, "thanks, but I guess I'll buy my stuff somewhere else."

He shrugged and walked away.)

It seems that you asked a simple enough question. It also seems that he gave a simple answer, "We'd really rather not." He knows you have a new tractor, not his make. As a dealer, he also knows this would likely invalidate your warranty." I see no indication whatsoever that he said anything rude, unkind, or inappropriate.

Now, because he prefers not to service a tractor that's not their make, you decide to hand the items to him and in front of (I presume) other customers, indicate that you will simply do no business of any kind with him because you didn't get your way. I'm sorry, but IMHO, it is you who was being a poor sport. In fact, your behavior seems almost intended to be provocative.

Next, instead of taking your bait, the dealer sloughs off your contentious barb, and walks away. He was showing you that he wasn't going to let you get under his skin. He was going to maintain control over his own attitude and not allow himself to be manipulated by your attempts to start something.

cast_and_blast · May 26, 2006

( As a dealer, he also knows this would likely invalidate your warranty.)

Huh?

Since when does having your tractor properly serviced invalidate your warranty? You can service your tractor yourself and it doesn't invalidate your warranty.

It needs to be serviced on time and with the proper parts and consumables (oils, filters, etc.), that much I'll give you.

It's a free country - the dealer doesn't want to do business. No problem, move on down the road and do business there. Consumer loses because they can't use their closest business, Business loses because they lost not only 1 customer but potentially many more due to word of mouth.

I live near this guy (don't know him except from on this board), I know the dealership he's talking about.

Scott

cast_and_blast · May 26, 2006

( As a dealer, he also knows this would likely invalidate your warranty.)

Huh?

Since when does having your tractor properly serviced invalidate your warranty? You can service your tractor yourself and it doesn't invalidate your warranty.

It needs to be serviced on time and with the proper parts and consumables (oils, filters, etc.), that much I'll give you.

It's a free country - the dealer doesn't want to do business. No problem, move on down the road and do business there. Consumer loses because they can't use their closest business, Business loses because they lost not only 1 customer but potentially many more due to word of mouth.

I live near this guy (don't know him except from on this board), I know the dealership he's talking about.

Scott

N80 · May 26, 2006

Tom, I don't see it that way at all. First, proudmonkey explained that he did not leave in a huff or storm out. Second, it would have taken about a half a second for the sales guy to give an explanation for his 'rather not'.

What you seem to have forgotten is who is the customer and who is the merchant. The customer says, hey I'd like to bring you some business, the merchant says he'd rather not have it and doesn't say why. There is only one person with a problem in that scenario and it is not the customer. If you think it is the other way around, well, the results indicate that you are mistaken. The merchant (who sells goods and services) has lost a customer (who pays a merchant for goods and services). You can't get better proof than that.

N80 · May 26, 2006

Tom, I don't see it that way at all. First, proudmonkey explained that he did not leave in a huff or storm out. Second, it would have taken about a half a second for the sales guy to give an explanation for his 'rather not'.

What you seem to have forgotten is who is the customer and who is the merchant. The customer says, hey I'd like to bring you some business, the merchant says he'd rather not have it and doesn't say why. There is only one person with a problem in that scenario and it is not the customer. If you think it is the other way around, well, the results indicate that you are mistaken. The merchant (who sells goods and services) has lost a customer (who pays a merchant for goods and services). You can't get better proof than that.

twodogs · May 26, 2006

Sadly, some people will never learn. Dealers should focus on building relationships with service in mind. Some dealers are focused strictly on the sale. I went to the closest (15 minutes from my home) Kubota dealer to me last year. I was quoted a price on a B7800 with a FEL & MMM of $18,500. I had a dealer that is an hour away quote me $17,450. When I went back to the local dealer & asked him to move a bit - - he refused, and then told me, "If you don't buy it here, don't even think of coming here for service - we won't work on it." I am amazed that dealers like that stay in business. Not only is it poor for your reputation, but it is a poor move financially. I am sure that as a dealer you can make much more servicing a tractor for 20 years than you can in making one sale. I look at the Kubota franchise like Toyota & Honda - they make the best product, they know it, and it makes them less likely to be customer-oriented. Regardless, I own a Kubota, Honda, & Toyota.

twodogs · May 26, 2006

Sadly, some people will never learn. Dealers should focus on building relationships with service in mind. Some dealers are focused strictly on the sale. I went to the closest (15 minutes from my home) Kubota dealer to me last year. I was quoted a price on a B7800 with a FEL & MMM of $18,500. I had a dealer that is an hour away quote me $17,450. When I went back to the local dealer & asked him to move a bit - - he refused, and then told me, "If you don't buy it here, don't even think of coming here for service - we won't work on it." I am amazed that dealers like that stay in business. Not only is it poor for your reputation, but it is a poor move financially. I am sure that as a dealer you can make much more servicing a tractor for 20 years than you can in making one sale. I look at the Kubota franchise like Toyota & Honda - they make the best product, they know it, and it makes them less likely to be customer-oriented. Regardless, I own a Kubota, Honda, & Toyota.