Deere not so much

[CH4Ohio]

I think this OP just needed a place to throw his tantrum. Pretty silly way to react to an unsatisfactory purchase. If you sign a contract to pay for something, you need to honor that promise. You can complain and protest and grieve but need to do so while meeting your legal obligations.

I always did think JD sold lawn mowers and riding mowers mainly because their "farmer" customers would buy them due to brand-loyalty. Never did think much of their small lawn equipment so I agree with that aspect of the original post.

 

[JD TRACTOR MAN]

I have owned a few brands and Deere is a nightmare. Purchased a new x570 18 months ago and was told commercial users got priority for service. My mower has been in shop three times since purchased. Twice for steering problems. I followed up after three days and parts were not ordered. I checked again yesterday and parts not there yet. I'm 70 years and getting tired. I financed with John Deere financing and I am walking away. Don't care about my credit rating at this age. Buyer beware.

I collect older JOHN DEERE garden tractors and restore them as well as other makes and models. THOUGH I still like John Deere I FEEL they have gotten way out of hand with there pricing on parts and especially THERE LABOR CHARGES. HERE IN PENNSYLVANIA they charge $120.00 an hour and if they come to you it is $130.00 an hour. If they pick up you equipment it is $120.00 to pick it up and $120.00 to return it even if you are only 10 miles from there location. TOTALLY OBSURD!

 

[RandyT]

I collect older JOHN DEERE garden tractors and restore them as well as other makes and models. THOUGH I still like John Deere I FEEL they have gotten way out of hand with there pricing on parts and especially THERE LABOR CHARGES. HERE IN PENNSYLVANIA they charge $120.00 an hour and if they come to you it is $130.00 an hour. If they pick up you equipment it is $120.00 to pick it up and $120.00 to return it even if you are only 10 miles from there location. TOTALLY OBSURD!

I can understand your fustration with pricing, and I can assure that what the dealer is charging is in line with what it would cost to get your vehicle worked on at the dealer, as well as what it would cost to have it towed in. Now don't totally blame parts cost on the dealer. They have some say in what they charge, but keep in mind the mother OEM is setting the MSRP and then the dealer discount is based off of that price structure. So OEM company can suggest a $50 MSRP but then will tell the dealer this is what you are going to pay us for the part. So a $50 part could cost the dealer $35-45 based on the discount codes.
And if you would study what goes into the labor rate I think you will find that it isn't as profitable as it sounds on the surface. A $25/hour employee with vacation, workmans comp, health insurance, taxes paid by the employer, utilities, and buildng upkeep can turn that $25/hour into $75/hour very quickly.

 

[gstrom99]

I have owned a few brands and Deere is a nightmare. Purchased a new x570 18 months ago and was told commercial users got priority for service. My mower has been in shop three times since purchased. Twice for steering problems. I followed up after three days and parts were not ordered. I checked again yesterday and parts not there yet. I'm 70 years and getting tired. I financed with John Deere financing and I am walking away. Don't care about my credit rating at this age. Buyer beware.

What is the breakdown, and what parts are they waiting for?

 

[ChiefBodie]

Did you say 3 days, and then 1 more? This is there busy season, with both ag and lawn equipment. I’d be a little more patient.

My grandfather always told me you have to have two mowers. 1 to use while the other was in the shop.

ahh a long time John Deere owner ...

 

[rScotty]

I don't know how to explain this without being offensive. You are a priority 3 customer. Any shop regardless of brand that has a substantial customer base will classify you as a priority 3 customer.

Any dealer will work on their commercial customers and products they sold first. They worst is priority 5 which is consumer product purchased from a box store. Will not get touched during the busy season. And may not even get repaired over the winter

I'm also older....in fact, older than the OP. And that means we both grew up when profit was secondary to good service.

Regardless of which industry, in the older service model we grew up with the priorities were given to whoever's job was the next one up - and if someone really had a need for quicker service, the dealer asked permission - which was granted if it was reasonable all around.

That was a more polite world, the total profits were similar, and dealer/customer relationships were valued.
Us old-timers liked the world that way. We are uncomfortable with the changed dealer relationship, and don't really understand what the advantage is doing things the new way or why it was changed.

rScotty

 

[RandyT]

I'm also older....in fact, older than the OP. And that means we both grew up when profit was secondary to good service.

Regardless of which industry, in the older service model we grew up with the priorities were given to whoever's job was the next one up - and if someone really had a need for quicker service, the dealer asked permission - which was granted if it was reasonable all around.

That was a more polite world, the total profits were similar, and dealer/customer relationships were valued.
Us old-timers liked the world that way. We are uncomfortable with the changed dealer relationship, and don't really understand what the advantage is doing things the new way or why it was changed.

rScotty

In this day and age profit on mowers is 5-8% and next one up will put you in line for 3-4 weeks out.

What has changed is the corporations have pushed out the small guys with customer service in mind, and the big dealers have a shortage of people to work on equipment. Remember talking to my local Honda ATV dealer back in March and we were talking repairs and service and they told me that their service department was scheduled into Octocober.

Mower shop repair profits are not anywhere close to what people thing they are. In my area every mower repair shop in the last 10 years that has constructed a new building for the business has closed within 3 years.
-

 

[5030]

One word.....INFLATION

 

[aesanders]

ahh a long time John Deere owner ...

That just traded his 2007 Deere tractor for an LS. Not sure what your point is.

 

[Hay Dude]

The Deere equipment I have owned has been great. Sad to see what they are doing. I went to a Deere dealer to look at a new R-20 field mower. Guy in service took me aside and told me I'd be better off finding a clean/used CX/HX-20.

1. Elimination of small dealers
2. Exporting of manufacturing for cheaper labor, but no price reduction for buyer.
3. DEI nonsense
4. Electronics inaccessible by owners