Thinking about leaving Kubota

[AlaskaL3130]

My Kubota has been flawless over the years and I'm ready for a larger tractor. As far as I know, there is only one Kubota dealer (owns two dealerships) within about 1000 mile radius of me. He won't sell below MSRP. He openly said he denied warranty service to an individual who purchased a skid steer in the lower 48 and said he would not honor my warranty if I decided to purchase outside as well. The alternatives are John Deere, Case, New Holland. Looking for something in the 70hp range. So....go with another brand? Your thoughts?

 

[Steppenwolfe]

In a heart beat... I'd rather change colors than have a bad taste in my mouth buying Kubota from a dealer like that. And I don't say that lightly.

 

[searcyfarms]

I have experienced the Kubota attitude at both dealers I have attempted even when renting/attempted purchase etc.........I have not experienced that at the bobcat, volvo, deere, case-ih dealers in our area. I have experienced it at the LS/Mahindra dealer and the NH dealer as well.

I would not run my business that way but I dont own one.

 

[kthompson]

How can you depend on a dealer like that to service those they sell if he does not like you?

 

[Jstpssng]

I wouldn't even consider dealing with somebody like that.

 

[searcyfarms]

case n/h and ford n/h are going to be similar in offerings due to same parent co but they do have some differences besides paint colors, usually spec related more than anything - The 5 series Deere would be in that range and the 75 series NH and CIH - i dont know the specifics regarding the different 5 series Deere models but some on here have advised issues and are leary so id recommend specific model research on those - a friend in the mid 2000s 5525 it was cabbed, 3 range gear drive deere, i drove it many times, it had a loader and was very light in the rear, i did not like it pushing snow, it was TOO LIGHT and would ride up vs push snow and fall through, I found myself backing up and going forward and moving the snow out of the way and im talking about a 10 inch snow, nothing like you would experience there however in defense most of our snows are wet/heavy.It did not have a shuttle/reverser it was totally manual trannie i would definitely recommend that - most in that range would have that type of option.

it was around a 90hp tractor, 4cyl

 

[AlaskaL3130]

Does anyone know how the shipping works on Kubota equipment? Is it similar to car dealerships where the shipping or destination charge is the same per vehicle regardless of where the dealer is located? I thought that was done to keep car dealers competitive but not sure if applies to other types of vehicles or equipment as well. No doubt It takes more $$$ to get goods shipped up here and there is a higher cost of living. I would think $1500-$2000 above the price of a Washington State quote would more than cover those costs and allow for a decent profit.

 

[goeduck]

Alaska is a different game for sure. Not as many dealers and a HUGE difference in location (distance) between your options. I did business up there for a number of years and it it is not like the lower 48 by any means.

 

[jeff9366]

Kubotas arrive in the USA through Port of Entry Georgia.

It is a great distance from Georgia to Alaska.

If the dealer is not charging supplemental freight I would consider MSRP in Alaska reasonable.

Before you burn your bridges, shop the other brands. They may sell only at MSRP too.


All new 70-horsepower tractors will have Tier IV emission controls. If you operate in sub-freezing temperatures the intermitently hot oven Diesel Particulate Filter may be dicey; a reasonably close dealer would be good.

Is Kubota in Fairbanks? What about John Deere, Case, New Holland?

 

[searcyfarms]

i never found kubota reasonable enough in my dealings to even establish a bridge or attempt to, so no loss with them here - i have tried two different dealers but again, i got the same kind of feelings from the local LS/Mahindra folks and a FNH dealer.

The Green/Red tractor dealers here were best, didnt try the AGCO guys they were too far away

heres a thought, take a trip to the lower 48 area, haul it back and write off the trip in the process.

even more savings

 

[Wagtail]

It's been said many times, here on TBN... shop the Dealership. They're the people who are going to support you when things aren't 100%.

I bought Green because, where I live, they are the best dealership in my State/area by reputation and they've kept that promise.

Any dealership that gives you an ultimatum "buy from me or forget about my support" has shot himself in the foot. Drop them. There's plenty of other 'colours' out there that are just as good.

 

[rScotty]

My Kubota has been flawless over the years and I'm ready for a larger tractor. As far as I know, there is only one Kubota dealer (owns two dealerships) within about 1000 mile radius of me. He won't sell below MSRP. He openly said he denied warranty service to an individual who purchased a skid steer in the lower 48 and said he would not honor my warranty if I decided to purchase outside as well. The alternatives are John Deere, Case, New Holland. Looking for something in the 70hp range. So....go with another brand? Your thoughts?

My thoughts??? Well, that's an old bare-fisted sales technique that dealer probably thinks he invented but in truth has been around for just about forever.
His is the same sort of regionalism or "me vs the world" thinking that in larger venues becomes populism, stateism, or even nationalism.

That type of dealing does have a certain initial appeal, and business history shows that growth model does tend to do well
up to a certain point before it self-destructs - i.e. it's good for awhile but rarely ends well.

So my thought is you would save yourself time, money, and grief by supporting a dealer with a different philosophy.
But first thing I'd do is check the other brands too. Maybe they all feel the same way? That would be a typical early reaction.
rScotty

 

[jjp8182]

I'd concur the shopping around to see what other dealership attitudes are ....... and if there's a consistent trend of that attitude there might actually be a reason for it beyond simple sales tactics.

Personally I could see not wanting to deal with tractors brought to Alaska outside of the local dealerships -- especially if there's been a trend of people not appropriately changing out fluids for the temperatures, or the equipment otherwise not properly equipped for the climate. I say that as one of the reasons I avoid occupations with customer service/interaction to the general public is I've seen enough people expect a mechanic/dealership to immediately fix their problem -- while they maintain unrealistic expectations or possess little-to-no understanding of what is involved in correcting the problem, and get a bad attitude when their expectations aren't met. At some point the money, just doesn't become worth dealing with the attitudes -- especially if the individual's behavior (or lack of knowledge) is part of the reason for the problem.

Not saying that's the case here (as I don't know), but I have seen and heard enough from the selling side that I'm coming to the realization that basic decency and mutual respect are becoming about as uncommon as common sense..... and sometimes that can drive certain behaviors (initial or ongoing).

Anyway just something to consider when looking at the different dealerships -- which I'd say is definitely worth doing. ....and if it turns out they all have similar policies it might even be worthy asking (the least adversarial dealership) what is driving their policy as it might lead to learning something new.

...but that's just my :2cents:

 

[Thomas]

I think you got your answer after talking to dealer.

 

[bullbreaker]

I 'am not gonna suger coat it I bleed Kubota orange . However after what you AlaskaL3130 have encountered if still in biz I would call Dave's Tractor 5 hours south of you(LS dealer). My next tractor purchase I'am gonna give LS a real darn hard look . AlaskaL3130 might try checking there attitude and prices ? Might even end up with a cab model . Maybe they (the Bota dealers) need to see some blue in Fairbanks to humble em down ? Check out LS imo , and thats comeing from a Kubota fan ..............................

 

[DerbyRunner]

I would call the Kubota national rep. I would explain you are shopping for another tractor but are having difficulty giving Kubota equal weight and consideration due to the local dealer threats regarding service.

That warranty is provided to you by Kubota. The dealer is only the person who delivers it to you. He should not be making such threats. It's not his to take away.

 

[jeff9366]

I would call the Kubota national rep. I would explain you are shopping for another tractor but are having difficulty giving Kubota equal weight and consideration due to the local dealer threats regarding service.

If Kubota or any other tractor brand was interested in consumer feedback they would monitor at least the Kubota forums on this site.

Except in rare instances we only hear one side of controversies. In one or two cases the "other side" has answered back with a completely different take. For this reason T-B-N deletes "shaming" posts from consumers.

National sales organizations have no motivation to sort through customer/dealer controversies.

The national office is interested in:

1) Is dealer paying Kubota bills when due?

2) Are dealer purchases up over last year?

3) Is dealer making a reasonable effort to achieve product "plan" for the year?

 

[jeff9366]

He openly said he denied warranty service to an individual who purchased a skid steer in the lower 48 and said he would not honor my warranty if I decided to purchase outside as well. Your thoughts?

That warranty is provided to you by Kubota. The dealer is only the person who delivers it to you. He should not be making such threats. It's not his to take away.

The selling dealer has an obligation to provide warranty service.

Warranty service is optional for other Kubota dealers. They can take warranty repairs or refuse them.

The Fairbanks dealer told the OP exactly what to expect in advance. The OP may not like the message, but he knows where he stands. The dealer did not tell the OP he could not buy out-of-state. The OP is free to purchase wherever he wishes.



I think the OP has an unrealistic expectation for tractor pricing in ALASKA.

 

[tradosaurus]

My Kubota has been flawless over the years and I'm ready for a larger tractor. As far as I know, there is only one Kubota dealer (owns two dealerships) within about 1000 mile radius of me. He won't sell below MSRP. He openly said he denied warranty service to an individual who purchased a skid steer in the lower 48 and said he would not honor my warranty if I decided to purchase outside as well. The alternatives are John Deere, Case, New Holland. Looking for something in the 70hp range. So....go with another brand? Your thoughts?

Are the other brands you listed have dealers close by? Being in Alaska probably doesn't give you too many options.
As long as the Kubota dealer gives you good service I would probably buy from him. Paying MSRP and buying out of state and shipping a new tractor might be a wash.

At least he was honest. :laughing:

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

The selling dealer has an obligation to provide warranty service.

Warranty service is optional for other Kubota dealers. They can take warranty repairs or refuse them.

The Fairbanks dealer told the OP exactly what to expect in advance. The OP may not like the message, but he knows where he stands. The dealer did not tell the OP he could not buy out-of-state. The OP is free to purchase wherever he wishes.



I think the OP has an unrealistic expectation for tractor pricing in ALASKA.

I'd have to see the fine print, or call Kubota HQ to check on that.