Dealers

[gusg]

I have an idea prompted by something that happened during service of my tractor. I have noticed that there are threads in other places regarding dealer service but I think it would be helpful for prospective tractor buyers to have a place to go to evaluate what manufacturers/dealers have good and bad service and reputations.

I realize that there may be some legal reasons for not naming names but at least buyers could make up their own minds about manufacturer's dealers (e.g., Kubota dealers in general are better than Brand X dealers). It also may be that it is really not the manufacturer but the dealers that are the ones that need to be evaluated but a trend could come out.

 

[Boondox]

Jeez, this is a loaded topic! /w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif I've never noticed any trends among the colors...it's always been a dealer to dealer thing. And even dealers can change. Case in point: the nearest Kubota dealer to me had great prices, but a reputation for sub-standard service. So all my implement purchases and service were done at a dealer 50 miles away with more overhead. Cost me more, but I felt better about the quality of work.

But the first dealer is under new management and seems to be really shaking things up. He's built a new showroom and devoted the old building entirely to service. He's better organized now, has more and better mechanics, and the bottom line is I may give him another chance in the near future.

I also once complained about what I thought was terrible service after the sale from the dealer I bought my tractor from...only to learn later that the fellow I was dealing with had just watched a family member pass away after a long loosing battle with cancer. Just a hunch, but he might have been just a little distracted when he was dealing with me!

So count me as reluctant to get specific on this topic.

Pete

 

[Rowski]

Pete

Send me private e-mail on the dealers that you are talking about. May be the same one I've had trouble too.

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

Do tractor manufacturers have dealer service ratings or awards, etc., like the automakers do? It woulnd't help with comparing manufacturer X dealers with manufacturer Y dealers, but it would at least let you know which dealers might be better within a each manufacturer's dealer group.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I know that bikes aren't tractors, but with the Yamaha franchise the parent company really tries to isolate itself from the way the dealearship is run. This is not to say that they will not revoke your franchise rights if you are breaking their rules, but they let the quality of the dealership be self governing (to a large degree). For instance, I had to buy required special tools, initial inventory, and meet certain square footage requirements to start the dealership. Buying the special tools doesn't meen your shop can fix bikes correctly. Buying initial inventory doesn't mean your parts dept will make any effort to stock the things people want to buy. You can buy a required square footage in a lot of different forms. However, how long do I stay in business with dopey mechanics, nothing to sell on the shelves, and a dumpy building. Yamaha really lets you run the show how you want to, which seems only fair when you consider they won't help me a bit if things turn sour and my shop goes under.

 

[kubmech]

<font color=blue>However, how long do I stay in business with dopey mechanics, nothing to sell on the shelves, and a dumpy building.</font color=blue>
Believe it or not, alot longer than most would think? There's
alot to be said for "being the only game in town". Unfortunately./w3tcompact/icons/sad.gif /w3tcompact/icons/mad.gif /w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif If you sell enough, "breaking their rules" is on a sliding scale. False warranty claims, questionable sales techniques, territory, etc.