50 hr service not complete.

[Topkicker]

When I bought my 1529, The dealership agreed to throw in the first 50 hr service for free. According to the manual the trans fluid and filter gets changed. I marked the filter by scratching an "X" on it before it was picked up for the service. I know this sounds crazy but I just wanted to make sure the full service was completed. This filter is a costly part. The engine oil was changed for sure. I work at night so I told the dealership to drop the tractor off in the driveway. They wanted to deliver it early this morning. As I walked toward the Massey I noticed my "X" on the end of the tranny filter . I've had a good relationship with the owner and have bought a brushcutter, scrape blade, and a Stihl FS250 trimmer from them. I hate to call anyone out but it looks like I have no choice. I wish people would just do their freakin job.

 

[ray66v]

If you want something done right...

 

[Jimmy Joe]

It really is a shame you can't trust people to do the right thing on their own. As much stuff as you bought you should get better treatment than that. Even if it was the only thing you bought they should hold to their agreement. I know what you mean about not really wanting to bring it to their attention but it is only right. Makes me wonder when used is advertised as just been through the shop. Small wonder a lot of people want to do their own service work, not just to save money but also to be sure it is done right.

 

[MoKelly]

Great thinking to mark the filter like that to be sure it was changed.

Seems to me like this was either (a) outright fraud or (b) incompetence.

Neither is good for your relationship with that dealer.

MoKelly

 

[Jaylegger]

Stuff like that is annoying, first thing I'd do is anonymously call the service department manager and have him list what is included in their 50 hour service for your tractor to ensure it's consistent with what's outline in your manual. At least then you'll know whether they chose to short change you specifically or if it's a broader issue. Each will require a slightly different approach.

Thankfully my dealer is awesome.

 

[Topkicker]

Update: Called the owner this morning and took the honest approach. Told him that these were the kind of phone calls I hated to make. I also told him I marked the filter before it went in for service. Not that I didn't trust him. I do this to my cars and trucks also. He said he would make it right and the tractor would be picked up Monday morning. He said he would find out why this didn't get done. Wow. That went very well. It's a shame you feel the need to take measures like I did (marking filters) but I like to know if things are done. It looks like this is going to have a happy ending.:thumbsup:

 

[beppington]

I probably would've called, too, but only to ask for my money back ... & do it myself from now on. The trust would be gone for me with that dealership.

 

[Jaylegger]

Update: Called the owner this morning and took the honest approach. Told him that these were the kind of phone calls I hated to make. I also told him I marked the filter before it went in for service. Not that I didn't trust him. I do this to my cars and trucks also. He said he would make it right and the tractor would be picked up Monday morning. He said he would find out why this didn't get done. Wow. That went very well. It's a shame you feel the need to take measures like I did (marking filters) but I like to know if things are done. It looks like this is going to have a happy ending.:thumbsup:

That's good news, however there will always be that nagging suspicion next time you have your tractor serviced the scorned mechanic will give you that extra special attention if you know what I mean. A little whack hear, a little dirt in there and so forth. Just don't think about it.

I swear that whenever I take my vehicle in for repair, within 1-3 days something else unrelated always fails. A coincidence I think not. :shocked:

 

[ray66v]

Pretending it was a mistake, is their only option once you catch them with their pants down. :laughing:

If you choose to believe a trained technician is so incompetent that he made a mistake like that, imagine what he can do when you give him something that requires actual thought.

 

[Topkicker]

Pretending it was a mistake, is their only option once you catch them with their pants down. :laughing:

I can't wait to hear the reason this was overlooked. Speaking of pants down... One of my grandfather's sayings was "There's no need in pulling your pants down if you've already s**t in them". I miss hearing him say stuff like that. It was always funny but made alot of sense. :laughing:

 

[MF RED in MT]

I would call MF and give them this information, because I think it would be in their best interest to perform an audit at this dealership, :confused2:. I do not think this oversight by the MF dealership passes the smell test, :ashamed:. KC

 

[sixdogs]

Yup, dealer got caught and you have to believe this is their SOP. He'll check for "x" marks in the future. These are not mistakes.
Note to others, do your own basic maintenance and save the drama.

As a kid--I'm 62-- I worked in a very meticulous garage in a high rent area.
You did it right or else and there were checks and double-checks. No car ever went out with a loose oil pan bolt but I saw the results from other shops.
So I learned to change my own oil and eventually built a nice farm shop.

Then came the prosperous 1980's and a local car dealer was trying hard to sell me a $$ car. Asked why I never had it serviced there--and did it myself.
I explained I did not want the risk--however slight--of a loose oil pan bolt and the ensuing discourse over the condition of my engine that he would assure me was OK even though I would know better..
He really kept on me about the service and after he offered it free and other free stuff I relented.

Guess what drips I found in my garage overnight? Yup, oil from a loose pan nut. He couldn't believe it happened but I sure could. Lesson learned forever.
Do you own work.

 

[MFRED]

That's just not right. It's a shame when simple things can't get done right.

I bet the owner didn't know what was going on, just lazy or bitter help.

 

[Don87]

That's just not right. It's a shame when simple things can't get done right.

I bet the owner didn't know what was going on, just lazy or bitter help.

Bitter ....possibly........but unlikely.

more than likely just 'inattentive........or just don't care.

The latter is the worst part..........it can't be fixed. The I don't care attitude from the new generation.................!

I was watching a cooking show earlier today............the lady cut up poultry on the cutting board..........and after cooking, she then put the poultry back on the same board to further cut it up. Can we say 'salmonella poisoning'...........inattentive...........or just careless! Bad things happen either way.

 

[Don87]

I would call MF and give them this information, because I think it would be in their best interest to perform an audit at this dealership, :confused2:. I do not think this oversight by the MF dealership passes the smell test, :ashamed:. KC

I must agree.

 

[not2old]

Yup, dealer got caught and you have to believe this is their SOP. He'll check for "x" marks in the future. These are not mistakes.
Note to others, do your own basic maintenance and save the drama.

As a kid--I'm 62-- I worked in a very meticulous garage in a high rent area.
You did it right or else and there were checks and double-checks. No car ever went out with a loose oil pan bolt but I saw the results from other shops.
So I learned to change my own oil and eventually built a nice farm shop.

Then came the prosperous 1980's and a local car dealer was trying hard to sell me a $$ car. Asked why I never had it serviced there--and did it myself.
I explained I did not want the risk--however slight--of a loose oil pan bolt and the ensuing discourse over the condition of my engine that he would assure me was OK even though I would know better..
He really kept on me about the service and after he offered it free and other free stuff I relented.

Guess what drips I found in my garage overnight? Yup, oil from a loose pan nut. He couldn't believe it happened but I sure could. Lesson learned forever.
Do you own work.

The story of my life. If I don't know how to fix it myself, usually, I learn.

 

[sixdogs]

The story of my life. If I don't know how to fix it myself, usually, I learn.

You know, learning do do most work myself, from auto to building to groundswork has saved me enough to have a complete shop mostly for "free" by the money not paid to others. I had a rule to not pay out more in salary to others than I earned in after-tax income myself. Read that again; it's basic financial sense.

For example, if I made $30 pre-tax pay, my wage after-tax was on the order of $18-$20.
Now, we are not talking about your average tax but the tax on the last dollars earned and it really does approximate 40% if you're in a profession.
Federal, state, local, school, social security and even job related expenses add up.
So, if you clear $18 after-tax, why on earth pay a dealership $90--or more-- plus parts mark-up plus maybe tax on the labor to do simple work?

You can only afford in life to pay someone a wage that is less than your after-tax wage unless it's for a specialty that you are not capable of.
Other than that, study up and pay youself to learn. Sure, you can find isolated exemptions here, and this is an illustration, but the premise is spot on.
Just my two cents.

 

[Andy in Gap]

When I get a bill for work done, there is always a parts breakdown. Was the hydraulic filter listed as something that you paid for? If so, I wouldn't give these guys the benefit of the doubt. They're ripping people off. I've been known to ask for old parts, like spark plugs, back. Too many guys out there who would change all plugs but one because it was just too hard to reach. It's not a guarantee, but at least they know from the beginning that I'm interested in having the work done properly.

 

[CurlyDave]

... I've been known to ask for old parts, like spark plugs, back...

I do the same, but often wonder what prevents them from just giving me parts for someone else' vehicle.

Any shop is going to have lots & lots of old parts around.

 

[ray66v]

I do the same, but often wonder what prevents them from just giving me parts for someone else' vehicle.

Any shop is going to have lots & lots of old parts around.

That's why we always laughed when people asked for the old parts. 90% of the time, I could have given them "the old parts", before I started the job. Talk about a false sense of security. :thumbsup:

If they want to cheat you, there are dozens of different ways they can do it.

When you really know you can trust someone you use for repairs, remember, it's priceless to be able to do that.