John Deere retail order on compact tractor?

[Baucom]

Get what you want (obviously), but unless you have serious slopes to go up, a 4320 will handle everything there with power to spare. 1 note--on a tractor that size you might consider a 7 or 8 foot scrape blade so it still wipes out the tracks when angled. And maybe a 6.5' box blade--I believe with R4s that tractor will be more than 6' wide. Dad's L4740 is about the same size and hp, and with R4s it's 75-76" wide, about the same as the outside width of his Woods bush hog.

 

[mechatgsk]

Hello, I want to thank everyone for your comments and advice. I do take the blame for this mess I'm in, but I sure do feel the penality is not fair for wanting a larger tractor. I have learned a lot about buying tractors through all this. I also wanted to tell that as of today (Saturday 27-Jun-09), my check has not been cashed by dealer. I have put in a call to John Deere customer service to help with situation. I will reply here when I get an answer next week. Thanks everyone again.


mechatgsk

 

[Baucom]

Once the dealer told the OP he had 24 hrs to change his order, he had 24 hrs regardless of JD policy--IMO. The dealer should have known beforehand what JD policy was, and should just take the penalty as a part of the cost of doing business. Also, I feel pretty sure, regardless of "policy" that JD would work with the customer and dealer so that the customer can get the tractor he REALLY wants and the dealer isn't stuck with bad terms on the 1 he ordered. In my experience, other major manufacturers will work with the customer and dealer to ensure customer satisfaction (within reason), and with Deere's reputation for service and support I can't imagine that JD wouldn't do the same.

 

[gamble77]

Deere has great reason behind their penalty to order a machine "retail sold" and then for a dealer not to settle for it and try floorplan it. Deere gives priority to "retail sold" items...this helps Deere and the dealer with cash flow. It also keeps dealers honest when inventory gets tight.

That being said, I think the dealer would really have a case here to charge the customer the penalty fee IF the tractor ordered had been an "unusual" tractor or one with "unusual" options (tires, etc.)...but it sounds to me like you ordered a pretty usual tractor that they should be able to sell.

Both side probably have a little at fault on this one...hopefully a solution can be reached where everybody is happy.

 

[brian22]

Hi,
I understand that you changed your mind and that you wanted a bigger tractor...BUT.... when you special order a tractor from the factory you have some commitment to buy that tractor.... I'm in sales myself (not tractor sales) and wouldn't want someone backing out on me because they changed there mind! Keep in mind the dealer commitment to you...if you got a tractor you didnt want...then they should take care of you..you changed your mind so you should deal with the consequences... in my current expierence.....i'm putting on an addition on my home...I would like to make it larger (and so far only the hole is dug) but the windows and doors are ordered as well as the trusses....I wouldn't ask for my builder to make changes now that he has already started the project!....or in your case already put an order in on an tractor!

 

[WilliamBos]

Deere has great reason behind their penalty to order a machine "retail sold" and then for a dealer not to settle for it and try floorplan it. Deere gives priority to "retail sold" items...this helps Deere and the dealer with cash flow. It also keeps dealers honest when inventory gets tight.

That being said, I think the dealer would really have a case here to charge the customer the penalty fee IF the tractor ordered had been an "unusual" tractor or one with "unusual" options (tires, etc.)...but it sounds to me like you ordered a pretty usual tractor that they should be able to sell.

Thanks for the insight - makes total sense the way they prioritize 'retail sold' vs 'floor plan' items.

 

[two_bit_score]

"Deere has great reason behind their penalty to order a machine "retail sold" and then for a dealer not to settle for it and try floorplan it. Deere gives priority to "retail sold" items...this helps Deere and the dealer with cash flow. It also keeps dealers honest when inventory gets tight."

That's why most of the 'penalty' should fall on the dealer in this case

 

[Secret Squirrel]

That's why most of the 'penalty' should fall on the dealer in this case

Buyer's remorse is supposed to be a dealer's problem?

Rusty

 

[Lyrch75]

If product has been bought by a retailer in good faith and the purchaser changes their mind, the purchaser usually is the one on the hook for the costs incurred, depending on the verbiage of the agreement. I have not seen a sales contract in my years in sales that did not have that stipulation somewhere in it.
At most places we would only use it as a bridge burning mechanism. You have a PITA customer that you do not want to do business with, enforce this clause. They tend to go and find another source of product (be it parts, buildings or garages) and you get rid of someone who burns up more money than they make you.

As the item you ordered is in a fairly common niche, I would have thought they would have worked with you to avoid having you walk.

 

[WilliamBos]

A question for the OP, did you leave a deposit that you would loose if you walk??

Changing you mind and deciding you want a bigger machine in less than 24 hours is reasonable, I think anyway.

 

[Baucom]

It's not really a case of buyer's remorse. In the initial post, the OP said the dealer told him he had 24 hrs to change his order. The dealer should have known the JD policy BEFORE telling the customer he had 24 hrs to make changes. The customer requested his change within the 24 hr window, so the dealer should eat the cost of his mistake as a part of the cost of doing business. That will make him double check to be sure he's correct on JD policy next time he makes a deal.

 

[WilliamBos]

It's not really a case of buyer's remorse. In the initial post, the OP said the dealer told him he had 24 hrs to change his order. The dealer should have known the JD policy BEFORE telling the customer he had 24 hrs to make changes. The customer requested his change within the 24 hr window, so the dealer should eat the cost of his mistake as a part of the cost of doing business. That will make him double check to be sure he's correct on JD policy next time he makes a deal.

Well said. I agree 100%.

 

[two_bit_score]

Buyer's remorse is supposed to be a dealer's problem?

Rusty

It is if the dealer tells you that you have 24 hours to change it and then when you do so within the 24 allotted hours he changes the rule and says 'sol'.

When I first read the OP I looked at it the same way as you - buyer's remorse ain't the dealers prob. A deal's a deal.

But the dealer specifically told him he had 24 hours to change his mind- that's what I'm going by.

 

[CinderSchnauzer]

I agree, it's up to the dealer to be aware of JD company policy and the customer should be able to count on the dealers word. In addition, it's not like the OP is trying to walk away from the deal - after all he wants to buy something with MSRP at least $1,860 higher on the base tractor before options AND if I recall is looking to purchase implements at some future date. Seems like the dealer shooting himself in the foot for $1,000 or less where it's the dealers fault in the first place.

 

[Secret Squirrel]

It is if the dealer tells you that you have 24 hours to change it and then when you do so within the 24 allotted hours he changes the rule and says 'sol'.

When I first read the OP I looked at it the same way as you - buyer's remorse ain't the dealers prob. A deal's a deal.

But the dealer specifically told him he had 24 hours to change his mind- that's what I'm going by.

I hear what you're saying and I guess I'd have to agree. If a 24-hour right of rescission provision was explicit in the purchase agreement (or imposed by state law) and the dealer did not hold the order for the requisite 24-hours before entering it into the system, the dealer was clearly at fault and should bear all costs for his mistake.

A verbal understanding (something outside of the written contract) is another matter. If I were a customer unsure about whether or not I wanted the expensive tractor I was special ordering (complete with expedited delivery), I would have either not executed the contract until I had made up my mind or I would have demanded that my right of rescission be written in bold ink on the face of the purchase agreement.

In my case, I would have waited until my mind was made up.

Rusty

 

[ctlguy]

If changing his order was going to cause the dealer a problem, or have the buyer pay an extra fee for upgrade, this should have been brought up by the dealer prior to the deal going through. Also, to have a dealer tell a customer that he has a 24 hr. window to change his order,and the next day say that was a mistake and the buyer has to pay at least $1,000.00 fee is pretty shady. If a guy is dealing tractors from Deere or anyone, you would think he would know the rules of the company he represents. I'd tell this guy to stick the tractor where the sun doesn't shine and go to someone else and get what you want. I'm sure he's not the only John Deere dealer you can go to.

What needs to be Brought Up?, The gentlemen placed an order for a good, signed his name (most likely) to the document stating that they wanted to purchase said goods. How in the world this can be looked at as the dealers fault? This is not uncommon there is a part of the customer world that truly believes that since they are spending their hard earned money with a vendor that they have earned a right to be wishy washy and to heck with everyone else. If the customer recieved poor advice on tractor choices then maybe I would have some sympathy. Keep in mind that going forward there will be fewer dealers in your area probably, not more, so bite as many in the rear while you can!!

 

[rioravioli]

Folks, it's simple really, most states and federal law have consumer protection laws and usually they have a 3 day right of rescission, or a cancellation provision which has to be printed on any sales contract / document - (for the buyer, not the seller - back out clause).

As far as the advice about putting a stop payment on a check, the act of being able to stop payment on a check is protection for exactly the kind of situation we are dealing with here. As far as I know the OP hasn't taken delivery of any merchandise, his original deposit was just that a deposit, not a check for total payment and in that case there is simply nothing wrong with stopping payment and canceling the order all together especially, when, and if the OP is being truthful about the 24 hour rule and the dealer did not honor his end of the contract by canceling within the 24 hour period.

Folks, this is the very reason there are consumer protection laws, this is the reason there is a medium to stop payment with your banking institution, to stop predatory sales practices and to protect the consumer from being overwhelmed with a sales pitch and signing in principal to terms without having a proper amount of time to digest them. Now, I'm certainly not suggesting that the Dealer is in anyway out to screw anyone, but they do have a fiduciary responsibility to adhere to the terms of the contract and operate within the parameters of the current consumer protection laws as written within the state they are operating their business.

Now how about we put this to rest (RIP, please)

 

[joes_427_vette]

I thought there was a 3 day window if you felt this purchase wasn't what you needed. Also the 24 hour policy you were told about should be a deciding factor.
If the dealer was this hard to deal with I would think he would be out of business in the very near future. I would pay the penalty and give them good advertising. He sure will miss all the service and attachment purchases down the road. I can't understand how he would treat a local customer this way. I could see him enforcing this policy if someone two states away was buying strictly on out the door priceing.
Good news travels fast...... bad news travels faster.

 

[rioravioli]

I don't know about anyone else but I would like to know how this ended up - please???

 

[whitedogone]

The tractor ordered was a 4320 with open station, eHydro, R4 tires, Dual mid SCV. This tractor has 48 engine hp and 39.9 pto hp. I wanted to upgrade to 4520 equiped the same. This tractor with new tier 3 engine specifications has 60 engine hp and 50 pto hp. Thanks to all advice!

In that case have them just add the extra HP when it gets to there shop.