Never buy another Kubota

[Baldyonthehill]

This note is to vent some steam as well as warn anyone considering the purchase of a Kubota. When I went to take off the front snow blower, I discovered the seal around my mid PTO was leaking. No sweat, I thought, since the tractor is under warranty. How wrong I can be!

The local dealership has been blowing me off for over a month. I have called the western area service manager, Phil Ingram, numerous times but just to get his answering machine. The only time he was courteous enough to return a call, he told me to take the tractor to a dealership further away. By the time I paid to rent a trailer to haul the tractor to the other place and factoring in the fuel for my truck, I could have a local tractor maintenance shop repair my rig.

If Kubota won't force their dealerships to do warranty work then why should we support their product? I have liked my tractor and the only prior complaint I had was the super sensitive seat switch that won't let my wife drive the tractor most of the time.

Hopefully others haven't experienced this poor quality of service.

 

[johnrex62]

Sorry for your troubles. Can't say I have had anything like your experience. I have had no trouble getting quick response from my dealer, even when my needs make him no money of any kind, even warranty reimbursement. He has been very eager to talk to me and make followup visits to my place for adjustments after the sale.

I have to say he has provided more and better customer service than any vendor I have ever purchased a product from.

I guess the big problem you are having is that this country is still free to screw up your business any way you see fit and not even your brand can mess with that.

 

[arsenix2001]

This note is to vent some steam as well as warn anyone considering the purchase of a Kubota. When I went to take off the front snow blower, I discovered the seal around my mid PTO was leaking. No sweat, I thought, since the tractor is under warranty. How wrong I can be!

The local dealership has been blowing me off for over a month. I have called the western area service manager, Phil Ingram, numerous times but just to get his answering machine. The only time he was courteous enough to return a call, he told me to take the tractor to a dealership further away. By the time I paid to rent a trailer to haul the tractor to the other place and factoring in the fuel for my truck, I could have a local tractor maintenance shop repair my rig.

If Kubota won't force their dealerships to do warranty work then why should we support their product? I have liked my tractor and the only prior complaint I had was the super sensitive seat switch that won't let my wife drive the tractor most of the time.

Hopefully others haven't experienced this poor quality of service.

Wow really? Why are you going to bash kubota when its a dealer youre mad at? Dealers can treat people as bad as they want, and thier repercussions are possible loss of franchise and loss of business. Ktc has very little control over how they conduct themselves. Thats like badmouthing mcdonalds corporation because juan forgot to hold the mayo on your burger. Its quite common to have long waits during the summer season. My dealer had me waiting 6 weeks for a repair once because they were swamped, and i have spent over 250k with them. Whats my choice... Go somewhere else.

 

[Diamondpilot]

This is a dealer issue, plain and simple. And as far as the service manager character, Phil Ingram, he sounds just plain incompetent. I do not think this is a Kubota issue, its a personal issue.

I have been down this road with 2 trucks. Tale of 2 trucks.

Truck one was BRAND A. Blown motor, transfer case out, and broken drive shaft/rear springs all before 35,000 miles took 6 months and lawyers to get them to fix it both times under warranty. Blown motor @ 20,000 miles, ripped out transfer case, twisted off drive shaft/broken rear springs @ 35,000 miles. I gave that brand a second chance 14 years later with awful results again. Will never own another of that brand.

Truck two was BRAND B. 2 trannys replaced by 68,000 miles. AC compressor, power steering pump, 6 cooling fans, ect. Truck was junk but dealer was awesome and would probably buy again.

But for now I have 3 good trucks, 2 Fords and a Nissan so why bother. What I am point out here is how they deal with issues will help you through a bad experience. Poor service leaves you scared for life. It did me.

Chris

 

[JoeinTX]

Gotta agree with most of the above. Kubotas are good rigs. They've proven themselves. Your problem is with the dealer and/or regional management. Let's make this Phil Ingram guy famous. Light him up. What's his number? I'll pile on and overrun his voice-mail inbox.

 

[Coyote machine]

FWIW, my personal experience is if you're not able to get through to the local dealer then write a detailed letter of your complaint to the manufacturer's headquarters and tell them what you expect, and want and when. Then see what they do.
Letters they have to deal with, phone calls leave no record.
Good luck- don't give up.

 

[Baldyonthehill]

I would agree that this is a dealer issue IF the regional Kubota service manager did his job. I bought a Kubota because of their reputation and the reputation that a different dealership had that two of my friends had worked with. Unfortunately, I moved 400 miles away and the great dealership is out of the question.

Thanks for the advice on writing a letter as I'll certainly do that as well as contact the state Attorney General's office.

I reach the regional rep by calling 209-334-9910 and spelling his name on their directory. I do not have his extension number.

 

[Lightnsound]

I agree that it's a dealer issue and it stinks, but that's only one dealer. Don't lost faith in Kubota because of the dealer. My dealer is about 45 minutes away, but one of their guys lives five minutes from me. If I need something I just call the parts counter, pay over the phone with a credit card, and pick it up from the guy down the road that evening. There are good guys out there, just gotta find them.

 

[Uncle Wayne]

It really sucks when you don't get the service you need. Before you buy, it's just as important to research the dealers as it is the tractors. Sorry you're having so much trouble. Good luck getting it resolved.

 

[David_Kb7uns]

Was this the same dealer that you purchased from? If not most give priority to local customers and commercial usually go to the top of the list during harvest time. Right now ours is swamped and the wait is a few weeks out. They have not even had the time to uncrate and prep new ones for the front line.

David Kb7uns