I found this article online and copied it.maybe it will help!
Subject: My Grey Market Experience
Date: Mon, 29 Dec 1997 11:08:24 -0600
About two years ago I purchased a Kubota L1500DT from The Tractor Shop in Wiggins, Mississippi. They were very up front about telling me it was an imported grey market tractor from Japan and warned me of some of the pitfalls I might have in dealing with U.S. Kubota dealers for parts. In addition they furnished me with
L175 manuals (the U.S. 2WD equivalent of the L1500DT) and some cross references on air, oil and fuel filters (I currently use Fram & NAPA filters). Unfortunately the little Tractor Shop was one of the grey market dealers involved in the Kubota lawsuit business and when Kubota won the first round (I assume there's an appeal on-going) it has apparently driven them out of business since most of their trade was in Kubotas and grey market dealers can no longer sale imported less-than-50HP Kubotas (I think). However, there is another local dealer, J&K Tractors in Gulfport, MS, that sells other brands and apparently they weren't affected much by the lawsuit. They are a local source for parts and service. About eight months ago I had J&K install an after market front loader (manufactured by Great Bend) and I am extremely pleased with it. I was told if I went to a dealer I should ask for parts for a
L175 but I needed to do my homework because all parts aren't interchangeable such as PTO gear parts and the
L175 isn't 4WD either (I believe all engine parts are interchangeable). In the meantime I've gathered the names of 13 grey market dealers from the Net and I figure why bother with a U.S.dealer, if I can get parts I can do the work in my shop. So far I've had no major problems with the tractor. I had to have the starter rebuilt and a local shop did it for $25.00. My tractor came with a new 4FT box blade, boom pole and new 4FT finishing mower and it has worked out perfect for my needs. I like my grey market Kubota so well that as soon as I can save my pennies I would like to get a new "B" series Kubota. It's too bad that a large manufacturer such as Kubota would be worried by a few small dealers. Other import manufacturers don't seem to care. Kubota has spread some ill-will and it has probably cost them some
sales.
Raoul Lopez
RLopez@sscpan.ssc.nasa.gov
