Reasonable service charge?

[hillfarm]

Let's see now....

You put the PTO lever into the engage position. The tractor won't start with the PTO lever in that position. It's DESIGNED to not start with the PTO lever engaged. You didn't realize that and had a service call to fix a broken tractor - but the tractor was not broken. It was operating as designed. No fault of Massy or of you dealer. I am willing to bet that in your owners manual there is a check of the operation of the safety switches where you make sure the machine WON'T start with the PTO engaged, HST peddle down, etc. Had you fully read and understood the manual....

I would chalk it up to a learning experience - suck it up like a man and move on, wiser than you were before.

jb

Umm, I think I clearly said that the lever was NOT engaged and that I did thoroughly review the maintenance and troubleshooting recommendations in the manual. When the PTO is engaged, it also engages a small safety switch underneath the body. This switch became stuck so that it did not disengage even after the lever was disengaged. Much jostling failed to free up the stuck switch, but once I saw where it was located I could have fixed it myself.

Anyway, I think other posters are right that I was charged for the 45 minute drive each way. I'll follow up with the dealer and report back if I get a credit. Regardless, definitely wiser than before. Funny how all of these "lessons" hit me hard in the pocket.

 

[Bird]

Funny how all of these "lessons" hit me hard in the pocket.

Aah, how well we understand. I'll bet most of us have been there and there's nothing funny about it at the time.

 

[LoneCowboy]

I'ts crap!!!!!!!1
***** like crazy
Don't pay a dime
Brand new tractor, broken item, how could he get it there if it won't start?
Dealer should eat it, even if the manufactuer won't cover it.
If I didn't get repaid, I would NEVER and I mean NEVER set foot in that dealer again.
And I would tell the entire world how I was treated.

 

[irwin]

This sounds like poor communication on the service dept. The vast majority of unhappy customers is caused by (see above). The learning curve for proper communication skills are lifelong for some people.
Unfortunately many dealers don't teach their employees the importance of it.
The bottom line is often number one, with customer satisfaction important after everyone makes the monthly gross as high as possible. However the business owner has the ultimate responsibility, so perhaps a call to Him/Her is in order, just because they don't use this skill, thats no reason for you not to.
Of course you may find out that this dealership charges travel time/miles even if warranty work and even if someone forgot to tell you.........good luck

 

[john_bud]

RTFP!

should have been a warntee issue. My guess is youll never get the cash back, but you might wind up with a credit at your dealer.....

RTFP?? took me a while --> then the very dim bulb that is me turned on. OOPS!@!

Yes, I am Fumb Ducker_!

'nuff said - my bad


SORRY!!!


I mis-read what was plainly there and thought the switch was on, not stuck.

Again - SORRY!

jb

 

[txdon]

I had a problem with my tractor (stuck float position joystick) a month ago and the dealer sent a mechanic out at my request. The cost was about the same as yours. The tractor is out of warranty. The next time I will BUY and replace the part that he serviced. He was at my place for about an hour. Live and learn.....

 

[LBrown59]

Let's see now....

You put the PTO lever into the engage position. The tractor won't start with the PTO lever in that position. It's DESIGNED to not start with the PTO lever engaged. You didn't realize that and had a service call to fix a broken tractor - but the tractor was not broken. It was operating as designed. No fault of Massy or of you dealer. I am willing to bet that in your owners manual there is a check of the operation of the safety switches where you make sure the machine WON'T start with the PTO engaged, HST peddle down, etc. Had you fully read and understood the manual....

I would chalk it up to a learning experience - suck it up like a man and move on, wiser than you were before.

jb

A stuck switch is a product defect not operator error.

 

[shvl73]

Seems to me the dealer could have bought some good will by not charging. Maybe worked it out over the phone first, clearly stating the travel cost and trying to get someone out there when they might be in the area, thus avoiding a charge.
The actual cost doesn't seem out of line.

 

[john_bud]

A stuck switch is a product defect not operator error.

True - I blew it!

 

[nickmech]

At the truck dealership I work at the service truck charge out is $100 plus travel time to and from job at shop rate. It adds up pretty quick even for a liitle job. Warranty pays all parts and labor. Not drive time. Check your bill and see exactly how it breaks down. That being said, a good service manager should give a guy a break. Everyone knows you get more business from happy customers.