Minimum shipping charge on ordered parts

joes_427_vette · Dec 24, 2004

I ordered a loader valve rebuild kit for my tc-45d. My local dealer said it was not rebuildable, a second dealer said they have done several and the kit is $34.70. I go back to the first dealer and he now finds it in the book for $35.31. The part is ordered and I am informed it contains O-rings, plastic sleeves, guides, and bushings. Picking up the order a week later I see a charge for shipping, $8.77. I am informed this is the minimum charge for a part ordered from New Holland and that each part will have this charge. The tiny plastic bag of O-rings weighed .01 ounces. Wonder what it costs to order a loader frame ?

RickB · Dec 24, 2004

If you were willing to wait a week or so the part could have been placed on his weekly "stock order". No freight cost to the dealer's location for stock order items. If it were placed as a "unit down" order for some reason, it probably would cost near the $8.77. Like everything else, you must be an informed buyer when buying New Holland parts. There are three common order methods each with unique timeframes and costs. Too bad they didn't give you the choice.

thcri · Dec 24, 2004

Yeah my dealer usually asks that question to me. How fast do you need it. New Holland does add that minimum shipping charge to everything unless it is on a weekly order.

murph

joes_427_vette · Dec 25, 2004

It took a week to get the parts. Maybe it wasn't my week. I can understand if you want them next day air from their distribution center. I thought they ordered parts every week as a bulk order. Well at least I know where my backhoe is NOT coming from.

MikePA · Dec 26, 2004

I thought they ordered parts every week as a bulk order. Well at least I know where my backhoe is NOT coming from. 
They do. As RickB said, "If you were willing to wait a week or so the part could have been placed on his weekly "stock order"."

As RickB also said, the dealer should have let you know what your shipping options were.

jinman · Dec 26, 2004

( I ordered a loader valve rebuild kit for my tc-45d. )

I think you have a valid complaint about a dealer that tells you no rebuild kit exists when it really is available. Frankly, that would "set off" my alarms much quicker than the minimum charge for shipping. A dealers weekly order doesn't mean you will receive your part within a week, it just means that sometime within a week the order will be placed and then there's a wait for the order to be processed and shipped back to the dealer. If you want quicker shipping, you have to pay for it. If you made a living with your tractor and it was unusable until the part arrived, that shipping charge would look pretty cheap. Of course, as everyone has said, the best service would have been to give you the options and let you make the decision.

I'm really interested in your loader valve's problems and need for a rebuild. Your post really got my interest more because of that than the dealer's service. I think failure of these valves is very, very rare. What are your symptoms? Can you take photos to document the rebuild so we can see where the damage is? That would be really informative, and I'd love to see where possible failure of the valve could occur.

Good luck with your rebuild. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

joes_427_vette · Dec 26, 2004

Jinman;
I had a problem with the bucket rams acting like they were air locked. An hour after the machine was shut down the bucket could be moved 3 inches either way. I spoke with the service man who indicated they had some problems with the o ring seals in the bucket rams being damaged when they were assembled. I didn't want to take the rams apart if they were not involved in the problem. We looked at a new tc 40 in the shop and traced the lines from the internal pump to the loader control which led to the individual lines for the rams. He stated if I plugged the lines on the rams a bypass of fluid around the seals could be detected. I chose to cycle the loader and rams for 10 cycles and disconnect the quick couplers. 24 Hours later the bucket was as solid as it could be with no movement detected. Now the only logical solution would be the loader control having a malfunction. The loader valve has 7 lines running to it as it also feeds the 3 aux. ports in the rear. My tilt function also leaks down which also points to the same problem. I ordered the kit ( which consisted of approx. 12 o rings and 2 plastic type washers ) and removed the control valve. I located 2 check valves and a total of 4 o rings that had any remote contact with the two seperate valves. The polished stems that controlled the oil flow appeared to be in perfect condition and formed a tight seal with the casting. I replaced the 4 o rings and reassembled the valve. Everything appeared to be in good working order. Due to the sub zero weather I can't say if it made a significant difference because the oil gets cold and dense. When I back drag the bucket it seems to stay in position rather than moving like it has in the past. It is a very simple control valve with no frills, just the essentials required.
The other dealer I spoke with was aware of the rebuild kit and stated he would have it within the week for I believe $34.70 plus tax. He never mentioned a shipping charge and I thought it was a weekly order unless you specified overnite air. At any rate $9.00 shipping for .01 ounce is a little strong for me. I will travel to the other source that knows availability, price, and is willing to find answers to questions they do not have the immediate knowledge of. As a cash customer I demand more than someone warming a stool in front of a computer screen.

jinman · Dec 26, 2004

Joe, thanks for your detailed explanation. I hope your problem is fixed by the valve rebuild. I haven't noticed anything like that on my tractor. Three inches of movement is a lot of fluid leak-by on the seals. Please keep us updated on the long term prognosis.

Like you, I don't like wasting money. Your raising this shipping issue will probably save someone else some $$$. Too bad you had to get "burned" by express shipping on something so small. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif