Comparison LS ranked best tractor supplier.

[sawtooth]

https://www.ne-equip.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/2016_Survey_Report_Final.pd_.pdf

 

[mcfarmall]

Interesting. I just wish LS made a tractor in the hp size I want with the features I want.

 

[GManBart]

https://www.ne-equip.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/2016_Survey_Report_Final.pd_.pdf

Very interesting, but not surprising given my experience with LS. Granted, this is from the dealers rather than customers, but it still has significance. If the dealers are unhappy, it's unlikely the consumers will be.

I've said it for quite some time...the other tractor manufacturers better watch out for the Korean companies. Look at what Hyundai and KIA have done in the automotive industry in just a short period of time. Tractors will be no different considering the Koo family (LG) is behind LS and they have deep pockets.

 

[Industrial Toys]

The 18% response rate is interesting. Would this be a normal response for such a survey?

Too bad, it's not based on customer satisfaction. If it was totally impartial, that would be interesting.

 

[nybirdman]

They look nice but the closest dealer for me is 2+ hours away.

 

[PJSprog]

Not surprised at all. We had a very good buying experience, and the dealer seems to really like the company.

 

[Steppenwolfe]

This is where I think Kubota needs to learn a thing or two. I have bought my arsenal of Kubotas from 3 different dealers. I would have preferred one, but just couldn't get the deal done. Yes, Kubota has a great reputation, and has pretty much blazed the trail for the other companies to come into America. But as anyone in business knows, you can't rest on your laurels, or explain away these other very good tractors that are here to stay. Granted, I won't buy another brand, but that's me. The average Joe shopping for a tractor has a lot to choose from, and the Dealer's attitude will go far in determining which tractor goes home with Joe...

 

[justinramani]

I really considered purchasing an LS over the Mahindra that I currently have. The determining factor for me was the fact that the Mahindra dealer was an actual agriculture dealer. The LS dealer was some random mom and pop shop with no ability to repair in-house.

 

[snowbelt geauga]

My LS tractor is great looking to move up to a XU6158c. My dealer is the number one reason for my purchases.

 

[NC419N]

That is what I have been saying about Kubota for the last several years. They are forgetting how they got to where they are. They have forced out 2 "family" dealers if the last 4 years and getting more like Deere every day

 

[MORRISONSTEEL]

That is what I have been saying about Kubota for the last several years. They are forgetting how they got to where they are. They have forced out 2 "family" dealers if the last 4 years and getting more like Deere every day

Not a big Kubota cheerleader myself but understand fully why there is a shift to multi store dealers and it is not related to the sale of compact equipment. Kubota want's a part of the agricultural pie. The overhead in facilities, people (really expensive people that are really hard to find), tools, computers and lots of knowledge is staggeringly huge compared to the overhead of a compact equipment dealership. This trend will continue but in fairness to Kubota I don't think it is because they have forgot who brought them there it is just a reality of the digital ag world and it is not going to get easier. IMAO

 

[jaydee325]

I'm very happy with my LS tractor and my dealer who is 22 miles away.

LS corporate needs to pay attention. There are a lot more negative posts on LS dealers than the tractors. The post above about a mom and pop shop that could not provide service is and indicator that LS is not screening potential new dealers. Negative perceptions of the dealer is also a negative perception of the corporation.

Kubota is not the only manufacturer that is pushing out the small dealers. I've seen motorcycle dealers, snowmobile dealers, and tractor dealers forced out due to unreasonable demands by the manufacturer. I've also seen large mega dealers swallowing up the smaller guys. One can only hope that the smaller guys got a fair deal.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I was at my Selling Deere Dealer yesterday. Used to be small family run business. Now part of a big group. Very, very sad.

On hold with Honeywell as I write this. Had a week from **** dealing with DELL and Purolator Courier. I used to have the drivers cell phone number and could work things out. Nothing is personal anymore. Everything is done in broad strokes and that doesn't bode well for any unique circumstances.

Still on Hold! But I should take even more time to complete a survey at the end of my interaction with tech support. Can they really be this STUPID? How about fast service?

One thing is for certain. The bigger the companies get, the more companies they take over (and destroy), the worse the customer service becomes. But never any shortage of apologies!

Still on HOLD!

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

I'm not trying to take anything away from LS when i say this, but as someone who sells about a dozen brands on the survey... some of the rankings do not look right compared with our experiences. I'd say the sample size of the survey is not big enough to get accurate information.

 

[arrow]

This is where I think Kubota needs to learn a thing or two. I have bought my arsenal of Kubotas from 3 different dealers. I would have preferred one, but just couldn't get the deal done. Yes, Kubota has a great reputation, and has pretty much blazed the trail for the other companies to come into America. But as anyone in business knows, you can't rest on your laurels, or explain away these other very good tractors that are here to stay. Granted, I won't buy another brand, but that's me. The average Joe shopping for a tractor has a lot to choose from, and the Dealer's attitude will go far in determining which tractor goes home with Joe...

I agree and is the main reasons I do not own a Kubota today. I can't believe how cocky and arrogant the salesperson was. Basically it was "there is no negotiation." "This is the list price of the tractor and sticker is quicker" "Don't worry, we could care less if you do not buy this tractor as it will be sold before the week is over." Wow! I wasn't going to pay what i thought was an exorbitant amount for the same tractor that was $6,000 less only 3 years before.
I guess Kubota got all up with themselves and came up with a "take it or leave it" sales policy. They do build a nice product and I like them better than the tractor I own but I simply was not going to put up with this kind of treatment.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Maybe Kubota doesn't see their tractors as some kind of flea market commodity. I think Kubota is pretty solid Japanese quality. A dealership is a very expensive proposition.

So, I think there does come a point, when you have history and a good product, that you can say enough is enough (with the dickering).

After all, the dealer probably can't dicker with Kubota. Nor can they with their property taxes and utilities.

I have been in business for twenty six years. I too, have no interest in gaining business by being low balled. When your solid, there is no need to. It's a good feeling. Some may call that smug.

 

[justinramani]

Maybe Kubota doesn't see their tractors as some kind of flea market commodity. I think Kubota is pretty solid Japanese quality. A dealership is a very expensive proposition.

So, I think there does come a point, when you have history and a good product, that you can say enough is enough (with the dickering).

After all, the dealer probably can't dicker with Kubota. Nor can they with their property taxes and utilities.

I have been in business for twenty six years. I too, have no interest in gaining business by being low balled. When your solid, there is no need to. It's a good feeling. Some may call that smug.

If that's the case - I find it surprising that Kubota found it necessary to increase the length of their factory warranty to compete with Mahindra. My guess is that corporate is concerned about competition, but dealers are ignorant. Kubota lost my business when the dealership acted like they could care less about my interest in their tractors.

 

[lilranch2001]

The 18% response rate is interesting. Would this be a normal response for such a survey?

Too bad, it's not based on customer satisfaction. If it was totally impartial, that would be interesting.

18% survey return rate is considered very high

 

[atsah]

LS is where Kubota was a while back so they will look good now and in time they will turn into every other manufacture. Once they get comfortable, they don't care anymore and when that happens, it's a matter of which complacent company you have nearest to your home that will get local money..

 

[s219]

If that's the case - I find it surprising that Kubota found it necessary to increase the length of their factory warranty to compete with Mahindra. My guess is that corporate is concerned about competition, but dealers are ignorant. Kubota lost my business when the dealership acted like they could care less about my interest in their tractors.

I doubt they are worried about Mahindra just yet -- Kubota has over 50% market share in the US, Deere is #2, and *everyone else combined* is a distant third.