They wont leave will enough alone:

[mboulais]

Chuck what you said is very true and I agree. I'm all for my community, and I would take a simple apology very gracefully and be did with. I dont wont them punished. Our community has other outlets for me to buy from. And I had to drive 45 miles to get to that dealer and theres other Tri-Greens around me. From the start I justed wanted to let them know they lost my busness. The cliche is you dont know what you got untell its gone. Well its gone. I dont want to take anybody with me thats not my doing.

Yes I have some very good friends. Not patting myself on the back. I made these friends in a market thats very dishonest. I have cometted myself to our customers and our company. I would take nothing for my friends. I have learned more from them than any service that I have given them.

You guys that think I should accept the offerings, I understand what your saying. I just cant do it. I know I could never look at them in the eye and busness with them again. Kinda like catching an employee stealing from you. You can never trust or look at them the same way again. Oh it would be nice to bleed 'em then enjoy the fruits. I have to look at myself in the mirror in the morning brushing my teeth then again at night.

I have to agree with you, An apology would have been nice, but the "freebies" are just gonna get in the way next time. Everyone who supported you and knows you got the freebies is gonna expect you to go back to that shop again. That dealer is going to expect your return business becuase they "deserve it" for making things right by you. I like you're thinking. Let bygones be bygones, but find somewhere else to shop next time.

 

[2Malamutes]

Until you are in this position it is easy to say he should just swallow his pride and stop playing kids games but once you have gone thru it you will have a different perspective of the bitter truth. The dealer screwed up multiple times, he shouldn't have to blackmail the dealer to do what should have been done in the first place.

But no one here really know the whole story, I've been on both ends of similar situations and the human reality is that a biased story teller tells a biased story irrespective of vantage point. The bitter truth is that pride plays a factor on both ends, and at least the dealership was man enough to admit it and offered a resolution. But at some point it becomes a shut up or put up on the other end. If the OP wants to be obstinate, then he should take his own advice and "leave well enough alone"; the first few posts were just making a point, at some point it became holding a grudge.

 

[plastikosmd]

Well you asked for our opinions!
Sorry, I agree with warren. Everyone screws up. It seems to be more about power right now than fixing the situation. You should not have taken the machine if you were so unhappy about the condition (which was all seemingly cosmetic at this point because now you are happy with it.) Your friends stood up for you and dealership recognized they were wrong. Reposing here about how they are groveling at your feet and that you are better than them to take any sort of restitution because of your 'pride' doesn稚 make you right, or a bigger man just petty and boastful. First realize that nobody is perfect then go to them and sit down and talk with them about the situation man to man instead of internet postings and telephone calls. What you choose to do with the warrantee is your business. This is only my opinion, please do not take it as a personal attack on you as that is not my intent.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

But no one here really know the whole story, I've been on both ends of similar situations and the human reality is that a biased story teller tells a biased story irrespective of vantage point. The bitter truth is that pride plays a factor on both ends, and at least the dealership was man enough to admit it and offered a resolution. But at some point it becomes a shut up or put up on the other end. If the OP wants to be obstinate, then he should take his own advice and "leave well enough alone"; the first few posts were just making a point, at some point it became holding a grudge.

True, I was not there but this story doesn't sound like the typical exaggerated story you run into online.

The problem I have with this is that the dealer didn't want to make right until someone else stepped in.

I bought a baler 4 years ago from a dealership. I talked to them multiple times and told them the day I would be there to sign the papers. I show up as scheduled, sign the papers and am ready to tow it home. Well, I can't take it yet because the preservative system is still on the baler and it needs to be transferred to the new baler the guy bought. Ok, no problem. The dealer was an hour away so it was not convienient but I worked with them on it. I was told I could have it in a couple weeks. A couple weeks go by and I call about picking up the baler. No, they didn't get to it yet (this is over the winter too when the shop doesn't have a lot of work). I was told a couple more weeks. So I call again when I was told to and again, nothing. Well, I was going by a week later and stopped in to the dealer to see what the progress was. The baler is still sitting outside (which I didn't want the baler sitting outside so that is why I wanted it brought home) and the garage is empty except for a couple tractors (it is a huge shop). So now I am not happy. I am told they don't know when they will get to my baler as spring tillage equipment is coming in and it needs to be put together. Well, I am not happy now so I go online to another board (agtalk) and tell everyone my problem since the salesman refused to do anything. Well, the owner of the store saw my post and faxed it to the store I was dealing with and low and behold the day after I was told they had no idea when my baler would be ready the baler was ready and they want to deliver it for me. They bring it out, unhook it on the side of the road and leave. Inside my owners manual that came with it they stapled my post from agtalk.

I would probably still be waiting for my baler if not for posting online. The salesman could care less as what is a $11,500 sale when you sell $100k and up tractors on a regular basis. This was the same salesman that called me every few days wanting me to commit to buying (this is the second baler they wanted me to buy). Once I signed the paper the salesman could care less.

Now, when I got screwed by my local NH dealer I have lost any hope that some of these dealers really care. Some dealers only care if it is going to hurt their pocketbook. It is sad but it is the truth. I have one really great dealer here still that has always been priced well and have always treated me with respect and fairly and I treat them the same. Neil Messick is another great guy to deal with as is Lakeland John Deere in WNY. There are dealers out there still that care about all their customers but then there are dealers who only care about their big customers.

 

[arrow]

Everyone lives their life differently. With every decision there is give and take. Look at the Middle East. Beliefs there are so strong that they have been at war for 2000 + years. We here think it may be tragic and unbelieveable, there they are willing to die for it, so, so much for variated opinions. I'd take the perspective from my friends. I don't care what the dealer is feeling or how he is motivated and I wouldn't care what I was feeling about the dealer no matter what my motivations. I'd ask myself how could I help my friends best with the decision I make whether it is to dis the dealer or accept their offer. No matter what decision is made, there is always a piece of flesh going to be missing from somebody whether it 'd be you, the dealer or your friends. Decide who you think can least afford the piece based upon who you care about the most.

 

[NuBota]

It's odd to me how polarized this discussion has become - like it has to be a black and white issue. A relationship with a business can be like any other type of relationship be it friend, girlfriend, family or co-worker. Disputes happen, and get resolved one way or another, but in many cases you may still "have to deal" with the party that wronged you.

In this case Exiled has the choice to dump the girlfriend to whom no strings are attached OR divorce the wife to which he has say kids and/or shared property. Or make up and try to make it work. Or stay in the relationship for the sake of the kids. There is no right or wrong there - all factors need to be considered.

IMHO, in this matter, the apology was insincere. Consider the warranty offer and decide if it is worth the effort of a 2 year, probably strained realtionship. Like dealing with visitation and child support. In this case, you lose nothing. If it is a nightmare the first time you go for service, you can still walk - or maybe they'll suprise you.

After all, it IS purely business on both sides of the fence at this point - they made a business decision to apologize - and you can treat it the same way. In most jobs you have to "do business" with people you don't like and/or don't trust - so you professionally handle the relationship. The warranty offer, while grudgingly given, is not a freebie they handed to you - it is more to their benefit, from a practical business standpoint, to offer it. If you don't accept, they can still tell your friends they offered it. And yes, it is their way to "pay you off" to be quiet - a settlement.

So maybe treat it like a lawsuit - you burned your lip on the hot coffee and Starbucks offers to pay you not to sue - I would agree that you shouldn't take that payment based on principle. But if you are injured due to someone elses negligence is it wrong to accept reasonable compensation for your actual losses.

This is where only you can decide - but maybe the ethics should be applied from a business standpoint, not a personal one - understanding that in a perfect world business relationships would be conducted like personal ones - but I don't know that we live there.

Sorry for the rambling - just my $.02

 

[Tig]

I think it's about respect. Apparently the dealer wants to trade on the respect that Exiled has earned from his business contacts. As for making it right. I would never ask someone to come to me or to accept an apology over the phone. That's simply insincere. Since this has nothing to do with Exiled's work they should not bother him there either. The dealer should knock on his door Saturday morning at 9:00. If Exiled tells him to get lost they should respect that and take what lesson they can from the experience. As Exiled said "I'm over it" "let it go"

 

[Robert_in_NY]

It's odd to me how polarized this discussion has become - like it has to be a black and white issue. A relationship with a business can be like any other type of relationship be it friend, girlfriend, family or co-worker. Disputes happen, and get resolved one way or another, but in many cases you may still "have to deal" with the party that wronged you.

In this case Exiled has the choice to dump the girlfriend to whom no strings are attached OR divorce the wife to which he has say kids and/or shared property. Or make up and try to make it work. Or stay in the relationship for the sake of the kids. There is no right or wrong there - all factors need to be considered.

IMHO, in this matter, the apology was insincere. Consider the warranty offer and decide if it is worth the effort of a 2 year, probably strained realtionship. Like dealing with visitation and child support. In this case, you lose nothing. If it is a nightmare the first time you go for service, you can still walk - or maybe they'll suprise you.

After all, it IS purely business on both sides of the fence at this point - they made a business decision to apologize - and you can treat it the same way. In most jobs you have to "do business" with people you don't like and/or don't trust - so you professionally handle the relationship. The warranty offer, while grudgingly given, is not a freebie they handed to you - it is more to their benefit, from a practical business standpoint, to offer it. If you don't accept, they can still tell your friends they offered it. And yes, it is their way to "pay you off" to be quiet - a settlement.

So maybe treat it like a lawsuit - you burned your lip on the hot coffee and Starbucks offers to pay you not to sue - I would agree that you shouldn't take that payment based on principle. But if you are injured due to someone elses negligence is it wrong to accept reasonable compensation for your actual losses.

This is where only you can decide - but maybe the ethics should be applied from a business standpoint, not a personal one - understanding that in a perfect world business relationships would be conducted like personal ones - but I don't know that we live there.

Sorry for the rambling - just my $.02

I like how you put the dealer into the role of the girlfriend or ex-wife and the tractor is the kids. That pretty much sums it up perfectly.

If you accept their offer and need to take the tractor in for "warranty" work you will feel ackward there as the damage is already done. If they would have come out and made things right in the beginning there wouldn't be an unhappy customer in the form of Exiled. But the damage is done and I know how Exiled feels and do not blame him one bit for feeling this way.

It isn't about pride or any of that other garbage. It is about respect. The dealer didn't respect him as a customer and is only trying to buy him off to gain back the bigger customer they lost.

 

[exiled]

Exiled....here is my take on the deal. The dealership offered their apology. You have refused to take it even though you say you have accepted it. You refuse to talk to them, anymore. Second....you will tell your tale of woe to "all your friends." Yet you won't go directly to the dealership and listen to them and let them listen to you?

You are not protecting your name, or standing up for anything other than your foolish pride. You are acting like you may be wrong and you sure don't want to give them a chance to prove themselves....just in case you may be wrong.

This I don't wan't anything I didn't pay for is in my opinion baloney. Most will take anything for free....you are simply on a power trip. You are playing the "see, I am more powerful than they or anyone else realizes." You will relate this story to your children and grandkids, and anyone who will listen to you for years to come.

My advice, get off your power trip....give the dealership an opportunity to make things right with you.....that is unless you are afraid you will have to finish telling the story about how they made it right....and all your "friends" will have to see you as something other than the "powerful" man you envision your self to be.

Put yourself in the same situation. You screw up at your job...whether on purpose or because of other circumstances....the customer complains and "nothing is done." Finally through word of mouth your company hears about it and offers to make it right....but the obstinate toad will not allow them to make it right and continues to tell his tale of woe to anyone and everyone that will listen and even to some who will not listen. Say for example they even post their tale of woe on a national forum on the internet. Also now say that "mistake" costs your company ohhhh, about a million dollars in revenue for the year....and your company now has to lay you off. Well I guess that customer won...huh!!! even though your company has done everything it can to make things right. They would have made their point and you would be looking for the unemployment line.....

What you are now doing is called third grade girl games. Grow up and let them make things right.

Furthermore....you apparently WANTED the tractor. You could have shopped at all the other dealerships in the area....but you WANTED THAT TRACTOR, AT THAT PRICE. Takes more guts and strength to say you might be wrong. Now turn the deal around. What if that dealership tells their story to every other dealership in the area. What if they name names and make sure every dealership knows that you are a "difficult" customer. WWWEEELLL grab your wallet, cause I can guarantee they are going to make it worth their trouble dealing with you should you ever need parts or service....what goes around comes around.

Warren 1st thing 1st. I do not take your reply as an attack untell your girl games and power trip.
I respect your insight And yes I asked for it cause I wanted it. I dont want you to tell me what you think I want to hear.
Now I'll address your issues. You could'nt be more wrong. I dont take freebies. There is no freebies in life. Oh yea it looks goods in the right now. Money is tight and could sure use what ever who ever is giving away. Ever heard of the "the fine print" or "catch 22". I guess that was coined by folks on a power trip. No I'm not mocking you. Just simply making a point. I'm not finished buying yet. If I took them up I know in the short future I will feel I should buy from them. I do not mind if they call every dealer and talk about me. That suites me just fine.
Yea I bought the tractor. I even took it home. I accepted it. Things kept going down hill. I talked with the manger the very next day. I have talked several times and with several different people over this. So to say I wont talk with them is alittle un true and unfair on your part. Sure this week I was alittle hard to get ahold of. Sue me. My wife and kids had a hard time getting ahold of me. I would leave the house at 715 am headed to work, after which feeding cattle and goats. Feeding the kids and dog. Putting the kids off to school. I would get home around 10pm. Love on my kids get a bite to eat put 'em to bed spend some hug up time with my wife {the only night she was'nt at work}, take a shower hit the sack. Tri-Green never wanted to bat an eye at me untell somebody that spends alot of money with them complained. So why is it my duty to make them feel good. I like the machine. I have nothing against the people at Tri-Green personually. I believe them to be fine out standing people. Our business views just dont agree{lack of better words}. See in my at oue elavator we have very small farmers, they cut about 7,000-12,000 bu of beans maybe a 1000 or so more of corn a year, They'll haul it on 700 bu old dump truck or flatbottom. I treat that man with the same respect and busness as a farmer that books 30,000 bu of what ever that brangs his crop in on a hopper bottom with around 1,100 bu of corn and that'll be around 943 bu of beans and wheat on the same trailer. When you cross the scale and I'm grading You, You are my customer. It is all about You. When I unload You I'm unloading You. Unless You dont want me opening your trailer I'll do it for You and even rerag it and cover it up. Dont even have to ask me to do. Yes sir I have made mistakes. Big ones too. What makes me better than Tri-Green? Nothing at all. I will say this though. If I catch the mistake I come to you and tell you I made a mistake this is how I need to fix. Do you agree? If not what needs to be done? Nothing? I'm sorry I made you feel that way, if ever theres something I can let me know. Case closed. If you find the error. I dont argue I look at the "mistake" I find out what the "mistake" is. If it is a "mistake" I try to fix it. If I cant fix it I call someone further up the chain and tell 'em I goofed I cant find a solution. We put our heads together. Now if there is'nt a "mistake" I dont agrue or tell them they are wrong I'll ask them why they feel it is a "mistake" I will show them some facts to hopefully they come to their own conclusion there really was'nt a "mistake". I know this makes no sence so I'll give an example. I grade a farmer's beans. All day he's been branging in #1-#3 beans. All of a sudden I grade him a #5 or sample grade. He disputes it. I say I'm sorry lets go look at this sample. I'll pull his file{A 1000 gram sample of the truck load that is kept for aleast 72 hours} I'll regrade it. If it is the same I'll do it again. If still the same I'll ask him why he feels it error. He pulls out 5 tickets of better grades. I will go and regrade them other files. If he does'nt come to the conclusion that his grade is just. Then I go up the chain. I cant just chancge a grade that would not be fair to the other farmers and if you changed theirs too there would never be bad grades. I'm not better than anybody just have a different look at how business relations sould be. I treat people how I want to be treated. When I'm not treated how I treat people I dont bang them over the head. I just dont deal with them unless I dont have a choice then I deal with them no more than I have too. I do not have to deal with this Tri-Green and I'm not. I'm not trying to be a hardtail or stubborn I just do not like how they do busness. Period. I want nothing from them. They do not owe me anything. I have everthing I paid for here at the house. I'm not a hard customer. I dont know what you do for a living but I bet you if we ever did business together you would agree. If you where in sales I would be so simple. If you had what I wanted I'd ask what you wanted for it. If I like the price it is sold. Simple. I do'nt haggle. If I buy from you when I'm buying again I'll ask for You. We'll do it again. Simple. You might be asking how often could this happen. I'll say this, Since May of 04 I have bought an 04 and 07 mustang, 05 explorer, 04 and 05 F150,And an 04 F250 from the same man. We have had a few bumps That was more misunderstandings than bumps along the way. I have bought 237 calves from a farm since 03. Since 01 I have sold the same feed lot 704 calves. They come to my farm and buy everyyear.
In this case I'm not wrong. Heck I'm not saying Tri-Green has done anything wrong. They gave me everything I paid for fair and square. What I'm saying is their pestering the hebe jebes out of me.


Yall are right there is 2 sides to every coin. Theres is a few coins that both sides have the same side. Either you believe what I say or you dont. Thats your choice. I enjoyed reading all of the replies and I'm taking some new insight with me. I'm glad I made this thread cause I've seen some ways to look at things and deal with that I have'nt thought of before. That is the reason in my thread. For the guys that thinks its just a sad song I'm sorry. Its not I'm getting what I asked for. Which is a different perspective to which to look at this. I'm not looking for someone to make up my mind for me or rub my back and resure me I'm not a crawfish for taking the goodies. I think I've made myself clear. I have nothing else to do with this store.

 

[exiled]

Robert, Arrow, and plastikosmd I'm not looking over yall thank yall for yall's replies.

Robert I do not know your case and have been weeding thru your near 5000 post trying to find it. wheee. Still no luck and I've gotten behind.

Arrow, mboulais,and Nubota I think yall are hitting the nail on the head how I feel about it.

plastikosmd, 2Malamutes, Where are yall coming from. What have I said about pride? What demands have I've inposed? This thread is only an exploration. I have nobody groving at my feet. They dont want my business. Do you really think that I'll beable to keep my mouth shut when I see loyd and tell him what has happened since he has talked to the manger? No I will not beable to. Do you really think what I do next is going to have any bearing on what these guys do? No it wont. They know how I am. It hurts my feelings none who they do busness with. Business is business. You do not let personaul life get in the line of business. For example. We price grain to market stanards. Meaning we only give the top dollar. We have several companies that only a couple times a years will take grain off the farm. Meaning jumping the broker. Well they are giving upwards of .13 more a bu. When these friends of mine take their crop to these places and most times they have put up their #1s to take to the other places leaving me the left overs I'm not bothered. Thats my pound of flesh I give to this relationship. I know what a .13 raise means to these guys I'm just sorry we cant give it to them. It would'nt make sence for them to brang me their #1 and the other companies the rest cause then they would be making the same money so hence there is no pay off. You cant say that if I started buying everything fromthis place they would go back. I dont hold a grudge I park my truck in it. Where do you see a grudge? How many people call your house thru the week trying to sell you something? Well they took the time and effert in finding you so do you buy something from 'em? Its plan and simple its not my business they are after. Somebody rattled a chain that got somebody motivated. The people that I have talked to over this week where'nt talking to me cause they felt bad that I did'nt want their business anymore. They called me cause their boss told them to. I think that is cut and dried.