Deere scared?

[swines]

Can't say that I remember the specific model numbers with the Chinese parts, but the markings were obvious to anyone looking for them and I do remember the New Hampshire dealer explaining that they were relatively new machines aimed at being more price competitive if that helps. Had quite a discussion with the salesman who seemed not to want to admit that "Big Green" had sold out. I confess... all I could think of at the time was "Jimna" and why should I pay more for a lime green Jimna? I know that's unfair... and as I said before, the Deere 110 is *still* my favorite TLB of all time... but I was extremely disappointed to see that even "Big Green" had sold out for the sake of a few dollars more profit.

The only good news is that it opened my "Buy American" eyes and made me consider the alternatives. I found my Mahindra and the rest is history.

Dougster

Hmmmm....see...that's the problem. People make statements that get extrapolated, fabricated, and then applied to all pieces of equipment from a certain manufacturer. I looked all over my Deere equipment and couldn't find anything marked "Made in China."

But, then again when I purchased the equipment I made sure none of it WAS made in China. I guess you just have to shop a little more carefully from any manufacturer to get the equipment you want?

As far as I can tell, on CUTs the ONLY piece made in China is the main castings on the 300x loader. That hardly qualifies as, "selling out," or as making a JD a "lime green Jimna."

My 300cx loader is marked, "Made in Welland Ontario, Canada." I guess Deere must have "sold out" to the Canadians? Or, is that okay....?

 

[Dusty]

There are a lot of parts that are made in both the USA and Canada, that are marked as such, but are made of steel manufactured in China and other countries. It is next to impossible to buy anything that is 100 % USA made today of 100 % USA raw materials.

 

[Dougster]

Hmmmm....see...that's the problem. People make statements that get extrapolated, fabricated, and then applied to all pieces of equipment from a certain manufacturer. I looked all over my Deere equipment and couldn't find anything marked "Made in China." But, then again when I purchased the equipment I made sure none of it WAS made in China. I guess you just have to shop a little more carefully from any manufacturer to get the equipment you want? As far as I can tell, on CUTs the ONLY piece made in China is the main castings on the 300x loader. That hardly qualifies as, "selling out," or as making a JD a "lime green Jimna." My 300cx loader is marked, "Made in Welland Ontario, Canada." I guess Deere must have "sold out" to the Canadians? Or, is that okay....?

Apparently being clear, polite and honest here doesn't work. I never said that "all pieces of (JD) equipment" were made in CHINA. And I admitted that my initial thought of "lime green Jimna"... which you have taken entirely out of the pricing context... was unfair. And nevermind that I'd own a Deere 110 TLB today were it not for an unfortunate twist of fate. If you think I am somehow "anti-Deere", you are sadly mistaken. I am, however, anti-exported jobs... particularly now that my own job has been outsourced.

If you wish to miss my point entirely, be my guest. What was my point? It was that I personally go out of my way to "Buy American" whenever I can... even when it costs more... and even when it sometimes blinds me to the advantages of other products with substantial American content right under my nose. Just don't try to pass something off to me as the patriotic, all American alternative that's worth paying much more money for when I see the words "Made in CHINA" on it with my own eyes.

I am sorry that I don't remember enough details for you from last summer's tractor shopping trips. Never once thought to write down those darn JD part numbers. And the Canadians? Very nice folks. My whole family came to the USA in the mid-1800's from Quebec! Love French cooking too!

Enjoy your lime green machine wherever it came from. I'm sure it is very nice. Me? I like my red one.

Dougster

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

Depending on what model you have, if its got a powertech engine in it - you can look for the made in Mexico label. It should be pretty easy to find.

 

[TomKioti]

They're scared to realize how many so-called Americans are willing to bypass domestic-based companies to buy foreign for a few bucks less. Seems to be no loyalty at all...It's a race to the bottom.

Wallyworld the WTO and megacorporate scumbags are leading the charge in the name of Globalism and so-called free trade and laughing (at us) all the way to the worldbank. Phewey! Don't get me started!

Sorry for the micro rant.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Wallyworld the WTO and megacorporate scumbags are leading the charge in the name of Globalism and so-called free trade and laughing (at us) all the way to the worldbank. Phewey! Don't get me started!

Sorry for the micro rant.

I totally agree. I think the Walmartification of business is one of the leading causes of manufacturing job losses here in the US. I refuse to shop there. It is interesting to read case studies about what they do with their "business partners" and how they literally force them to move jobs to China to cut quality and costs. Only a few companies have stood up to them and walked away. Snapper lawnmower was sold by Wallyworld for a while, Snapper got called in for a meeting and told to lower quality and manufactuer offshore or they would be dropped. Snapper said we won't do that, we would rather stop selling to you! I personally know companies that were treated similarly.

 

[TomKioti]

Good for Snapper! If it was only more. Something has GOT to change.

 

[Dusty]

Good for Snapper! If it was only more. Something has GOT to change.

It won't change until the U.S. Population changes there way of thinking. At present, people only think about cheap prices. We are rapidly becoming a third world nation economically. Our middle class is shrinking and our manufacturing job base is just about gone. All that is left are service jobs, and those will not sustain our economy. Our educational system is in shambles and our teachers unions are demanding more money for less work. The USA is in trouble, but the population doesn't see it that way. Our politicians spend money like it is water, and they are reaping the economic benefits that no one else gets with their job.

 

[JDGREEN4ME]

Depending on what model you have, if its got a powertech engine in it - you can look for the made in Mexico label. It should be pretty easy to find.

The "Made in Mexico" label was easy to find on my good old USA Ford F-250

 

[TomKioti]

Very well stated Dusty.