Local Kubota dealer not honoring warranty

[Martian]

Since I have both, I'll share what my thoughts are(R1 v R4)

I have the R1 gas on the 5410, 85HP tractor. I was going to be using it for field work, mowing and baling hay stacking big bales and I wanted the traction. Got the R1s. Got over 1000 on it now and I can say that hands down the traction is best with R1. Going through muddy areas in my trails and digging into my large sand piles it disperses the mud, dirt, gravel and allows the tires to remain free of dirt, providing continuous traction. Where they aren't so hot is on turf. NEVER take a tractor that heavy in 4x4 through a lawn. All torn up. Had a nice brown indented streak in my lawn the rest of the year. Even in 2x4 though you really have to be careful, take nice wide corners, and try not to let the tires spin or they will grab ahold of the grass and let it rip.

On the 3120, 30HP, I have the R4s. Planned to be using this a lot more on the lawns and wanted something that wasn't going to tear it up. I can say that they still aren't as good as the R3s on the lawn tractor, but are a significant improvement from R1s. As for the traction, its good, the only problem is that they clog up. If you go through mud or even enough loose dirt the tires pack up and they become even worse than turf tires. Had to use my buck and "swim" myself out of a muck hole in the woods one time. They clog up way to easy, some say that the larger (talking full sized industrial TLB's and utility) tractors don't clog up as easy, but I have no experience.

So what I say, best overall is R4, best for traction R1, best for lawn R3. But then again what did you expect?

 

[TripleR]

how about a debate on R4s vs Ags?

That one too and no thanks.

 

[lilranch2001]

Well guys let me comment on this subject.
This is a very common issue in the equipment market, more so in the lawn and garden sector because of the box stores.
As a dealer of a Equipment. Most all of our manufactures have contracts that need to be signed before they will do business with you. All of them state warranty policies. It does say that you MUST service and warranty any of their products regardless of where it was purchased.
Now some mfgs will enforce this and some just don't give a crap!

If you ask me I think any dealer that does not take on a warranty job with the foresight of a potential relationship being built for future revenue. Is just a total FOOL.
Let me give you guys a couple good examples...
Had a landscape customer that lived 5 miles from my shop. Every day he came out of his road he made a right turn. He never had any reason to make a left to see our business. So long story short he purchase a new ZTR mower from the dealer in the area of where all of his contracts are. He had several problems with the mower, he got frustrated with the selling dealer and the mfg told him to call us. Well one day he stopped by our store a told us everything that lead him into our store for warranty work. Well after writing 13 more warranties on his machine I finally said enough is enough, We had the mfg buy the customers machine back. They paid everyone of my warranties and also compensated us for the amount of time spent in phone calls and emails.
So I got involved with a customer that never purchased from me before. Well let me tell you this..This landscaper is one of my largest customers for the 3rd year in a row. He has spent well over a $100,000 with us.

Here is another example that had a final out come today!
Customer calls us about his MF that was purchased in FL said he got a letter from MF that his tractor had to have an update.
No problem sir we will take care of it. That was a year ago, since than he has been back for 2 services. Yesterday he came in and told me he wants a bigger machine. Ok, spent some time with him and guess what, We delivered his brand new $30,000 tractor today.

Again I just don't understand any dealer that would turn away work. Yea you don't always come out ahead on warranty work, but I would rather break even on my bills than fall behind because of no income.

I guess that is one of the reason why I have hired 3 more employees since Oct and 1 more coming on in a couple weeks.

We also welcome all warranty work from the box stores.

Here's one that will have you scratching your head. We are a servicing dealer for Ridgid Power tools. We do not sell the tools just do warranty on them. Our shop labor rate is $60 and Ridgid will only pay $45. One might say we are crazy for doing this. Well let me tell you why I do this...Most all of the people that purchase a Ridgid product are the same people that will purchase something I sell. So when that person walks into my show room to get their warranty take care, they see all of what we sell and also all of the services we offer. I'll bet you that 85% of those customers have purchase something from us. So why wouldn't I want to make $45 a hour to have people walk through my showroom. Just to think I spend money on advertising. Silly me!

Okay so back on track here. Yes the mfgs have contracts, Some dealers just don't care.
No we don't always make out of warranty.
If I know a warranty is questionable I will email the mfg. Before I commit to the customer.

Guys even though it doesn't seem this way anymore, ultimately we work for you the customer. You pay my bills. When your happy, my bills will be paid! When your not happy, I will struggle to pay my bills!

Here is our motto that I came up with...
"Walk in as a customer, Leave as a Friend"

It is sad that all dealers do not have the same ethics that Rick has

 

[Monster5601]

I'm sorry... but did you read anything that any of the 3 dealers on here posted?

THIS IS AN INDUSTRY PROBLEM

It just happens to be in the Kubota forum. Infact, I can say for us... Kubota is better than most.

This happens in automotive also, I had a Ford dealership refuse to fix my Windstar under warranty because I didn't buy it from them. This happened back in 1995 after a relocation.

 

[lilranch2001]

This is good information. BTW, what is your dealership name?

here is a link to a story about TractorTidy
Dealer Profile: Haltom Equipment - An Equipment Dealer Starts Over - Rural Lifestyle Dealer

 

[lilranch2001]

I'm sorry... but did you read anything that any of the 3 dealers on here posted?

THIS IS AN INDUSTRY PROBLEM

It just happens to be in the Kubota forum. Infact, I can say for us... Kubota is better than most.

I just want to make a point.......

Isnt Kubota one of the MAJOR players in this industry, and if they were a leader in "fixing" the problem would it not make their position in the industry just a little better?

 

[lilranch2001]

If you don't feel like reading all the posts on this subject, here is the summation.

Corporate Kubota policy:

Warranties are honored, or not, at our whim and fancy. Patronizing non-originating dealers will never be tolerated, for any reason, and will subject you to being placed on THE LIST. Too bad/so sad, if the originating dealer is incompetent or a tyrant. Do you REALLY think we give a s*** if you have to move/relocate away from the originating dealer? And if your dealer goes out of business or relocates, then the joke is on you. If you don't like it, feel free to buy another brand; but before you do, you might want to read the fine print in our competitor's warranty - haaaa! Note: We deny all allegations of collusion and antitrust criminal activity.

Thank you for buying Kubota.

HAHAHAHAHA

 

[Grandad4]

I just want to make a point.......

Isnt Kubota one of the MAJOR players in this industry, and if they were a leader in "fixing" the problem would it not make their position in the industry just a little better?

Suppose your CT cost 20% more because Bobcat had a full-coverage, no-questions-asked, bumper-to-bumper, pays for everything including bad exhaust aroma, 5 year warranty. Would you be happy with that? Remember T.A.N.S.T.A.A.F.L. (There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch).

 

[Martian]

Suppose your CT cost 20% more because Bobcat had a full-coverage, no-questions-asked, bumper-to-bumper, pays for everything including bad exhaust aroma, 5 year warranty. Would you be happy with that? Remember T.A.N.S.T.A.A.F.L. (There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch).

I don't think as much as covering everything but making sure that what they say is covered gets covered by every dealer. I know what your saying about no free lunch though...

 

[sixdogs]

Not warranty work... just buying implements.

I went to a Dealer 40 miles from where I live to buy a Post Hole Digger... the fellow came out and asked what tractor I owned and then asked if I bought it there.

I told him that I bought it though my Uncle's connections and was politely told that is where I should go for the Post Hole Digger...

Hardly makes sense with a customer standing in the lot ready to buy...

Didn't question it and told him it was probably a good idea and left...

I had been there the year before looking for a Kubota and they kept insisting that I needed a Ford/New Holland... they sold both lines and had 80% Ford on the lot.

When I stopped about the post hole digger I learned they no longer carried Ford/New Holland...

What an unbelievable idiot to send you elsewhere. Have these people no business sense of trying to develop long term relationships? The good part is that it's all part of dealer evolution and survival of the fittest. It is unlikely that dealer will survive in today's world.

When I moved here 10 years ago, I set out to buy a Kubota M9000 and was on my way to do so but the dealer never had time to talk with me. And I'm an obvious buyer. I couldn't find anyone to wait on me in multiple visits. On the way home I stopped by a Deere dealer just to browse and a sales guy came out. Nice guy, little pressure and the rest is history as I love my Deere 5520 and have referred others.

A couple years later, and after that original Kubota dealer had failed, I wanted a Kubota L4300 gear 4WD for ag work.

After my earlier experience, I shopped the internet first and decided to talk with a dealer 40 miles away. He's an old guy expecting to sell at retail but I stopped and asked what he could sell it for and that life had changed, especially with Kubota people. I told him I wanted a long-term relationship but price was on everyone's mind.
We struck a deal at $500 over internet and I bought $1000 worth of options at retail. Gave the set-up guys a tip. We have a pleasant relationship and i bought a B7800 since. He also had done lots of ag repairs for me and it turns out some of his best customers are my friends. Wow, could this have impacted him differently. Smart guy.

The internet is great for pricing and a starting point but dealers need to make $$ just like we do. And if one doesn't want to deal or service, I would quietly go elswhere since the lacking dealer will eventually fail and you'll just have to go somewhere else anyway. Not that the OP did the internet thing, but if someone doesn't want to deal with me, no problem and I'm not telling Kubota. I'll just go elswhere, no matter the distance or consequence. Just my two cents here.