Warranty Repairs

[kiphorn]

I've been reading as much as I can about compact tractors on this site and several others. I'm trying to determine which color tractor, what size and what I should expect to pay.

Its been said many times how important the dealers is. That being said I like most other buyers don't have money to throw away and want/need to shop for the best deal.

I've read that NH dealers are not required to make warranty repairs to tractors that they did not sell (finally got to the subject of the post). Is this true? What about orange and green?

If it is, it makes shopping for a tractor useless unless you have a trailer or want to pay to have it transported. I may as well get the best deal I can from the locals so that I can push the tractor in for service if needed.

Does the Fedral Trade Commission know about these warranty procedures???

 

[DVerbarg]

kiphorn,

It is my understanding and experience that NH dealers are required/expected by NH to perform warranty work on tractors not sold by them. They do seem to have latitude in when they perform that work. As you might expect they will place loyal customer repairs higher on the priority list then a repair from someone who would not buy from them initially. It is my understanding that all the major color tractor dealers work the same way. Of course there will be differences between dealers and their approach to customer service.

There have been many discussions here on TBN about shopping for the best value, not just price. Dealer support and service are an important component to each of our purchases--each of us places a different value on the importance of post sale support.

The dealer I purchased from was not the cheapest price (for NH, but cheaper then the other considered brand) but was great in answering questions and providing references. Unfortunately that dealer went out of business 8 months later. Now I have to drive almost two hours to a NH dealer for any support/service work. Fortunately I have only had to have service once.

For myself I would look for the best price from the locals, would definitely use the info here on TBN during negotiations to obtain the best price. As someone who has owned a small local business I like to support local business.


DaveV

 

[poman]

I think that the dealer chosen is very important, but part of the choosing is to find a dealer who wants to provide quality service, but is also interested in offering VERY competitive pricing. When I chose the dealer to buy from, it was because he gave me the best price, knew his products and was interested in making sure his customers were happy with his customer service.

 

[MDNY]

I too agree that buying "local" is very important, both in the short and long term. If you have problems, need an emergency fix just after you got the tractor or some unforseen issue arises they will be there for you. If being local means driving 50 miles in any direction to get to any one of several dealers, then you have to go with comfort.

I use a basic premise when I decide when, where and how much to pay. I determine what my hourly rate is, then I figure how many hours I will spend hagling, driving to various dealers for the closing price, and overall how much time it costs me to be without the product/service I purchased. It has to be worth my time, and seldom it is. I know what my time is worth and what I am willing to let go of.

Bottom line, you will have this tractor far longer than your car (on average that is). Not to mention you can "drive" you car to any number of places for repair, but you cannot drive your tractor as easily. Price is key, but service is more important.

Just remember the first time you make a fatal error and break something who will support you first.