I know the price of steel has gone up, but WOW!

[duber34]

I'm not really sure if this is the correct forum to post this msg. but the info. is Kubota specific so I figured I'd place it here.

While perusing some old posts last night in my insomniatic state, I came across an interesting thread about replacing the standard toplink bracket with a heavy duty bracket designed to be used with a BH. This modification is a type of preventive maintenance so as not to break the toplink housing. Sounded like an excellent idea to me so I copied down the part number supplied in the thread and surfed over to my favorite tractor parts website. The bracket and bolts needed for the conversion cost about $82.00 in September of '01. A current parts query returned a price of $223.10. YIKES!!! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif I believe it's a good upgrade and probably still a good deal cheaper than replacing the toplink housing.......... but I'll need to keep squirreling away my deposit bottle money for awhile longer yet.

I wish my salary increased at the same rate!!


Regards,
Duber

 

[theboman]

I don't think steel prices went up that much at all, I'd bet about the same rate as everything else.

The was a bunch of talk about a new tax on steel, or imported steel but that was shot down by the Supreme Courts for unfair trade practice.

 

[JerryG]

You might speak with your dealer about the price. I don't know if Massey Ferguson is the only one, but they have a system set up for price review on parts. If the price is out of line and their is no reason, they will adjust the price. I have used this system and have some times saved 50% and then other times they ruled that the price was justified.

 

[slowzuki]

I wish the MF dealer here had that price review thing! Last summer the slip clutch plate in our neighbours baler got damaged. Looks like a non-vented brake disc, something that is about 20-40 $ normally. MF dealer wanted 400$ for a new one!

75$ at the machine shop had it looking new.

Ken

 

[JerryG]

They all do from what I understand. It is just having a good dealer that will do it. Isn't it amazing how much a good dealer is worth.

 

[JimR]

Prices are terrible and the dealers could care less. Where else are you going to buy it is their motto. That's as bad as a new local NAPA dealer I visited for the 1st and last time 2 weeks ago. I needed a rear blinker for the back of my tractor. I broke the old one with a tree branch. I paid $6.95 for these at another parts store. They were out of them at the time. This new NAPA store quoted me a price of $31.95. I almost laughed in the guys face. After telling him that it is a $6.95 light, he said "Well, I can let you have it for $22.50. My reply was this
" Thanks, but no thanks, have a good day" I ordered a set from the original parts store where I had purchased them. The price was still $6.95 and they are of the same construction as the high priced NAPA light.

 

[slowzuki]

It's a hard call as I will pay more for something I know has been manufactured locally. The stores here will mark up chinese junk products like 400% over another store making it hard to judge just on price where it is from.

The wiper I got for the tractor the other day was made in Australia of all places, it replaced the Malasyian one I got from the same store the day before. The aussy wiper was 30% cheaper too. Who is making the money? The shipping should be similar, the labour should be more $ in Australia. Why can it be cheaper? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Surely a North American company can do it as cheap and save some fuel from shipping?

 

[johnday]

I got quite a startle the other day. I was out in the garage measuring out some fuel additive, and, even I don't why, I notice the seat mount on my TC had a "Made in Vietnam" sticker on it! Sure surprised me!! /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[Worksmart]

As the accountant for a steel fabricator in SE Michigan, I can attest steel prices did go up last year. Some 40% during a six month period alone /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif. Quotes were only good for 24hrs /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif. The volatility was amazing for a period of time.

The part's price increase is partially to blame to the material cost....the rest.....only the Shadow(Kubota) knows!!!!
Chuck