Just arrived and hour meter is broken

[BlueKnife]

They should, it isn't that hard to start up a machine and let it run for an hour.

Perhaps. Why though? Do you know of a dealer, anywhere, that actually does that?

 

[paulsharvey]

This all has gone sideways...

"Paid for via loan from USAA." The financial institution might be interested that they loaned money on a false claim, affecting their asset... If dealer isn't helpful, it might be worth talking to your bank. No idea what the banks loan requirements were, or if hours where listed in the evaluation?

 

[Atypical_decorum]

Why would a dealer run a tractor long enough to notice that an hour meter doesn't work? Can't see any reason they'd run a machine like that for more than a half hour, max, probably considerably less.

Even at 30 minutes the 1/10 hour meter will move.

I'm surprised how many people think the dealer is absolved of responsibility for not checking the functionality of a very crucial component of a tractor. It is after all one of the main determinants of its resale value.

How is this any different then buying a car from carvana and finding out the mileage is off by possibly 100,000 miles or more? Has everyone been burnt so frequently, they've been come accustomed to it?

 

[Atypical_decorum]

Why would they waste time and money running potentially hundreds of machines for 1 hour to verify the meter doesn’t work? Even if you verify it doesn’t what’s your next step? You still aren’t any closer to knowing it’s accurate count.

It doesn't need to run for an hour. There's 1/10hr marks.

And if you knew the hours weren't accurate, you could advertise the tractor truthfully and avoid liability.

 

[Atypical_decorum]

I couldn’t tell you how many hours any of my multiple machines have to within one hour accuracy from memory. It would take me a long time to realize a meter isn’t working. I’d figure out a broke tack faster but all except one of my machines are electric meters.

Are you dealer??

I can tell you that my other tractor has 1,112 hours without looking. But it oesn't matter if you remember. YOU are end user.

 

[tacticalturnip]

Why would they waste time and money running potentially hundreds of machines for 1 hour to verify the meter doesn’t work? Even if you verify it doesn’t what’s your next step? You still aren’t any closer to knowing it’s accurate count.

Just throwing it out there; couldn't you just run it for 6-10 minutes to get the 1/10th of an hour added?

Both analogue and digital gauges tend to register that.

 

[tacticalturnip]

It doesn't need to run for an hour. There's 1/10hr marks.

And if you knew the hours weren't accurate, you could advertise the tractor truthfully and avoid liability.

If I'd of read to the next page before posting...

 

[D&D]

The thing that stands out to me the dealer neglected to inform me about was that the entire steering column is loose as is the steering wheel bushings. The column shift lever also is sloppy and hard to get into F or R with how much everything around it moves.

Not uncommon from people grabbing the wheel to pull themselves into the seat.

 

[D&D]

I'm surprised how many people think the dealer is absolved of responsibility for not checking the functionality of a very crucial component of a tractor. It is after all one of the main determinants of its resale value.

How is this any different then buying a car from carvana and finding out the mileage is off by possibly 100,000 miles or more? Has everyone been burnt so frequently, they've been come accustomed to it?

Don’t think anyone here is happy about your situation. Unfortunately I think you’re gonna find out the dealer is under 0 obligation to take the tractor back. Return shipping would be on you and how much would that bill be?

 

[Atypical_decorum]

Don’t think anyone here is happy about your situation. Unfortunately I think you’re gonna find out the dealer is under 0 obligation to take the tractor back. Return shipping would be on you and how much would that bill be?

$1100 to get it here. I doubt it would be on me. Liability is squarely on their shoulders.

 

[Atypical_decorum]

Not uncommon from people grabbing the wheel to pull themselves into the seat.

Fair point.

 

[Fixastuff]

$1100 to get it here. I doubt it would be on me. Liability is squarely on their shoulders.

Don't forget your "pain and suffering" lol

 

[BlueKnife]

How is this any different then buying a car from carvana and finding out the mileage is off by possibly 100,000 miles or more? Has everyone been burnt so frequently, they've been come accustomed to it?

It's different for several reasons. One is that it's quite common for hour meters on older machines to quit working. I've had several over the years where the tach cable, which is what runs the hour meter, broke. People often run them for many years or decades without a working hour meter. The second reason is that, unlike miles on a car, hours of run time aren't necessarily a good indicator of wear and tear on a machine. You have no idea how that machine was run during those hours, what it was doing/pulling/pushing, what RPM's it was run at, etc. etc. Hours are a factor to consider, but they're a minor one.

 

[paulsharvey]

My thought is, based on what you're saying, I would try to get out of the machine. You feel dooped, whether correct or not, isn't really relevant, you aren't happy with the way it went down. I would be amazed if it doesn't cost a significant amount to get out of. Even if the dealer is a really stand-up group, I'm sure they will want transport paid, as basically you waved right to inspect. If you go the legal route, just getting a lawyer to send a threatening letter is gonna cost $1,000, an actual law suite would cost Far more. I'm not laying blame with anyone, but you 'thought' you were getting something other than you ended up with.

Perhaps the dealer would be more flexible if they had another machine they could put you in, where there is still money to be made. Don't know whether that would work for you or not; but I would definitely want to inspect before purchase.

Did a couple minutes of googling, and this is the closest thing to something helpful I've found. It appears could could have a legal case, but I don't know if this counts as 'misrepresenting, tampering, or failure to disclose'.

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

It will be interesting to see what happens.
Anyone can sue for anything, any amount but winning is another matter.
I'm not an attorney but I suggested taking it to a local Kubota dealer for many reasons: they would have superior knowledge and ability of determining the appropriate hours which is at the heart of the matter and they can give a repair estimate. Me: I'd keep it simple saying I just bought it, hour meter/tach is broken and like their estimation of actual hours.
After their estimate I'd talk with that dealer's owner, show video clip and ad. They're bound to see that all the time, tractors that have had hour meter broken, disconnected, replaced starting at zero, etc.
Then simply say I paid $30,000 for this...is it worth it?
If all is well I'd have a complete service & whatever it needs, cable, tire. Then get it home and use it.
If THAT dealer says it's more like 8,000 hours...not 1,555 that's another matter.
In court you have to prove wrongdoing on the part of other dealer which to me would be extremely difficult to do.
It all boils down to that other dealer: they could take the all sales final stance all the way to full refund with a lot in between.
Me: if I didn't want the tractor I would expect to pay for their loss, transportation costs and chalk it up to next time physically looking it over, the best would be having someone with me knowledgeable look it over.

 

[TimberFarm]

Was this a cab or open station model? The link on Tractorhouse shows tractors with cab selling for substantially more than $30,000 and they had substantially more hours than 1500. Which would mean you got a deal.
I feel bad for you. A lot of posts here are like pouring salt on a wound. I think the dealer sucks. Like you said, the meter reads 1/10th. Just starting it and something is going to move it. Then, I believe way back, you mentioned the tractor was owned by one of the mechanics at the dealership. Unless the guy worked in an isolation booth, guaranteed he talked to other mechanics, sales people about his tractor and why he was trading it in. Everybody should know not to service their tractor there if the mechanics can't even maintain their own equipment.
As for a lawsuit, you could expect to pay another $20-30,000 to take this to court. Not only have I been involved with lawsuits, but my wife works for a law firm with 50 lawyers. They would want a $10,000 retainer to lift a finger after your initial consult. That's just the way the system works.

So, any word yet??

 

[Chewwy]

If the dealer and/or any of his employees have been following this thread, they may be loaded for bear when the call comes in.

 

[4570Man]

Just throwing it out there; couldn't you just run it for 6-10 minutes to get the 1/10th of an hour added?

Both analogue and digital gauges tend to register that.

I was just going off the previous suggestion to run it for an hour. You’re right that it wouldn’t take that long. Just be aware that cable drive meters don’t register time correctly unless you’re running at pto speed.

 

[4570Man]

Even at 30 minutes the 1/10 hour meter will move.

I'm surprised how many people think the dealer is absolved of responsibility for not checking the functionality of a very crucial component of a tractor. It is after all one of the main determinants of its resale value.

How is this any different then buying a car from carvana and finding out the mileage is off by possibly 100,000 miles or more? Has everyone been burnt so frequently, they've been come accustomed to it?

When you’re buying pre owned equipment the person that currently owns it that’s you is responsible for any problems. Without the ability to prove intentional fraud which there wasn’t you have no case. The dealer doesn’t have to do anything for you. I expect the dealer would offer to return the tractor besides the shipping cost. He’s not going to eat $2200 because you couldn’t be bothered to inspect the tractor before you bought it and now you have buyers remorse. You have a misguided sense that dealers stand behind used products. If they were selling it is certified pre owned or something like that maybe they would but “as is” is pretty standard for used stuff. You don’t even have any profs that you were wronged. We all agree that the tractor was ran with the broken meter but can you prove how long? It could have been 5 minutes before that video was taken. The fact you had a video makes it even more your fault.

 

[4570Man]

Was this a cab or open station model? The link on Tractorhouse shows tractors with cab selling for substantially more than $30,000 and they had substantially more hours than 1500. Which would mean you got a deal.
I feel bad for you. A lot of posts here are like pouring salt on a wound. I think the dealer sucks. Like you said, the meter reads 1/10th. Just starting it and something is going to move it. Then, I believe way back, you mentioned the tractor was owned by one of the mechanics at the dealership. Unless the guy worked in an isolation booth, guaranteed he talked to other mechanics, sales people about his tractor and why he was trading it in. Everybody should know not to service their tractor there if the mechanics can't even maintain their own equipment.
As for a lawsuit, you could expect to pay another $20-30,000 to take this to court. Not only have I been involved with lawsuits, but my wife works for a law firm with 50 lawyers. They would want a $10,000 retainer to lift a finger after your initial consult. That's just the way the system works.

So, any word yet??

People are quick to threaten lawsuits that haven’t dealt with them. If the dealer would offer to take back the tractor at the loss of $2200 shipping that’s by far the best outcome he’s going to get.