Thinking about leaving Kubota

[DerbyRunner]

The selling dealer has an obligation to provide warranty service.

Warranty service is optional for other Kubota dealers.

This makes no sense to me.

So if I take delivery on a Kubota today, and the selling dealer goes out of business tomorrow, my warranty is at risk and I am at the whim of whether any other dealer will "choose" to provide warranty service? If that is their policy, I would certainly never buy a Kubota. But I don't think that is their manufacturer's policy.

 

[goeduck]

^^^ I also have a hard time thinking Kubota would support stranding a customer like that. I believe the dealer makes money on a warranty repair of a tractor purchased elsewhere so I do not understand doing business like that.

 

[jeff9366]

Kubota is the example because the OP used Kubota.

Perhaps the OP will relate his experience at John Deere, Case and New Holland in ALASKA.

Warranty repairs are break even for tractor dealers. The manufactures are tough on reimbursements.
Manufactures do not reimburse dealers for mechanic time at $75 to $100 per hour rather at $25-$30 per mechanic hour, varying by location.

Bear in mind we only have the OP's version of events. Seems to me OP was disappointed in not being offered discounts in Alaska and told dealer he might buy out-of-state. The dealer told the OP "fine".

Dealers are independent businesses.

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

 

[rScotty]

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

Me too. Same question.... I find it difficult to believe that only the selling dealer has an obligation to provide warranty service. Is that peculiar to tractors or to Kubota dealers? People are mobile these days; what if I move to a different state? Does my warranty lapse?
rScotty

 

[searcyfarms]

Kubota is the example because the OP used Kubota.

Perhaps the OP will relate his experience at John Deere, Case and New Holland in ALASKA.

Warranty repairs are break even for tractor dealers. The manufactures are tough on reimbursements.
Manufactures do not reimburse dealers for mechanic time at $75 to $100 per hour.

Bear in mind we only have the OP's version of events. Seems to me OP was disappointed in not being offered discounts in Alaska and told dealer he might buy out-of-state. The dealer told the OP "fine".

Dealers are independent businesses.

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

I have never heard that tractor dealers ( or is it just the kubota business model ) that dealerships do not receive reimbursement for labor on repairs under wty? Its not that way in any other business i am aware of, from electronics/autos/appliances

If that is the case I would say it would drive me to not want to deal with WTY issues either when i had a paying customer that needed repairs outside of WTY.

 

[ericm979]

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 ..............................

Dave's is a Branson and Mahindra dealer. They do ship tractors to other states. When I was there test driving before I bought my Branson from them, they were getting ready to ship a couple tractors to Hawaii.

Since they're 250 miles away I have them ship parts to me, other than the backhoe attachment I drove up there to get earlier this year.

 

[bullbreaker]

Oh ok on their website they showed LS .

 

[super55]

Sounds like your dealer is trying to stiff arm you. He has sole custody of his product for a huge area and obviously believes in it enough that if you won't go his asking price then he won't service the product. I was a former kubota owner and went to green because I felt my dealer didn't value me as a customer. I had no complaints with kubota but service/support sent me to green.

I would seriously look at JD. Not because I think their product is superior but because I believe their service/support is one of the best in the industry. I'm sure I'll get a reply from someone saying it's because they need it but I do a lot of service/repairs myself. I was able to purchase tech manuals for every item I have even a 4 wheeler that was only produced by bombardier for 4 years over ten years ago and can still readily get parts for. I am assuming the timber industry is big biz up in Alaska and JD is a pretty big manufacturer of timber equipment so parts shipments might come at faster/cheaper intervals. They can just as easily get parts for tractors as the can for a feller butcher. The one downfall is that huge inventory comes at a price. JD loves to charge a premium for their parts.

I would try and small talk with individuals using heavy equipment in the area and try to get an idea on time to get parts, dealer service, etc. Don't expect the same catering as a guy that is buying 500k piece of equipment but it should tell you as to how well they treat their clients.

 

[sd455dan]

Dave's is a Branson and Mahindra dealer. They do ship tractors to other states. When I was there test driving before I bought my Branson from them, they were getting ready to ship a couple tractors to Hawaii.

Since they're 250 miles away I have them ship parts to me, other than the backhoe attachment I drove up there to get earlier this year.

I think it is a ( Daves) LS dealer in ALASKA whole different dealer

Dave's Tractor Biz

Dave's Tractor



Dave's tractors Inc.

Branson / Mahindra tractors in Cali.

Dave's Tractor, Inc. |

 

[DerbyRunner]

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

I'm not sure I agree with that. When the engine in my Mercedes blew at 66,000 miles, the West Coast Vice President of Mercedes became involved to make sure I was treated fairly. He eventually approved that Mercedes would pay half the cost for an engine replacement. It was good business to do that.

 

[rScotty]

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

Maybe not today. But they used to do it, and it wouldn't surprise me to see what was once commonplace become the "hot new sales technique" again.

I would bet with my own money that the company which takes the time to sort through customer/dealer controversies, does it in a fair manner, and advertises the fact.... will be the company that vaults to the top of the heap.
rScotty

 

[ericm979]

I think it is a ( Daves) LS dealer in ALASKA whole different dealer

That explains it. My bad for assuming there was only one Dave's Tractor. Thanks.

 

[kthompson]

I have a JD 5525 with cab. It is as described earlier but it has power reverser shiftier. I am not in snow country but the rear end on mine is not light. It does have cast rear rims and loaded rear wheels. Have lifted some very heavy loads with no issue of the rear being light. The "5" that were written about having issues were not the series the 5525 is in.

 

[AlaskaL3130]

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

Not sure how you determined that.

Many businesses survive in Alaska simply because of lack of competition. You can be a crappy 殿nything and still make money here because people have no other options. Many Alaskans drive the ALCAN hwy. every year to haul back their purchases. Boats, equipment, autos, animals, virtually everything that can be brought through Canada legally. I bought my first Kubota in Washington State and hauled it back. Saved 17% of off msrp. There is no way the cost of doing business here is that much higher. My wages certainly are not 17% higher than the Lower 48 equivalent.

I’m generally an advocate of buy local whenever possible. I don’t think a dealer coming down a bit off of the msrp rather than charging 努hatever the market will bear is unrealistic. I値l likely check the other 70 hp offerings, determine if I want to go with a new color, or take a chance that current kubota offerings are as reliable as my L3130.

I really like the MF offerings, but have some concerns about the electrical gremlins that a few folks have commented on. Appreciate the feedback from everyone.

 

[searcyfarms]

I have a JD 5525 with cab. It is as described earlier but it has power reverser shiftier. I am not in snow country but the rear end on mine is not light. It does have cast rear rims and loaded rear wheels. Have lifted some very heavy loads with no issue of the rear being light. The "5" that were written about having issues were not the series the 5525 is in.

yes i thot the 5525 was a great unit outside of it was light for what we were doing with it and i wish it would have had a shuttle/power reverser - i probably put 20 hours on it personally and enjoyed them, i liked the bigger heavier tractors when doing some things just due to their sheer weight/size, the 5525 was nimble, good visibility, comfortable, i dont think it had any weights on the back and i know we rarely had any ballast either we used it 90% for loader work but the guy that owned it that let us use it used it mainly for mowing and pushing brush out of the way when doing that

 

[SDT]

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?

That would drive me away.

I would do whatever it takes to avoid that dealer.

SDT

 

[Jchonline]

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

I agree. Find a dealer you can work with.

 

[nards444]

I have never heard that tractor dealers ( or is it just the kubota business model ) that dealerships do not receive reimbursement for labor on repairs under wty? Its not that way in any other business i am aware of, from electronics/autos/appliances

If that is the case I would say it would drive me to not want to deal with WTY issues either when i had a paying customer that needed repairs outside of WTY.

They do receive reimbursement read closer. Most warranty work is put at a set rate, say 40,50,60 bucks an hour. A lot of the shyster dealers dont like it because they cant charge their normal of 80-100 an hour or skim something off the top for parts either. Dealers for the most part simply dont make money on sales of new equipment, used equipment and service is where its at. So lets say you come in for a warranty repair and its an hours worth of work and a $100 part MSRP. Dealer cant charge MSRP on a part they paid $85 for next they usually charge $90 an hour, 20 goes to labor, another 15 in into labor benefits and over head. Lets say under warranty they get $60 AN HOUR. The made $35 on that deal with a warranty claim. If they do non warranty work they make $70 twice the money.

My example might be somewhat flawed, but thats the general idea of how it works.

 

[Industrial Toys]

PLUS, their people are taken away from more lucrative work so it's a double wammy. Dealers should get their shop rate for warranty. It probably wasn't their fault the equipment failed. Manufacturers are always bullying their dealers it seems.

 

[nards444]

Maybe not today. But they used to do it, and it wouldn't surprise me to see what was once commonplace become the "hot new sales technique" again.

I would bet with my own money that the company which takes the time to sort through customer/dealer controversies, does it in a fair manner, and advertises the fact.... will be the company that vaults to the top of the heap.
rScotty

Ehhh IDK. If your talking the BBB type stuff that stuff is dead. Today between social media etc word spreads fast and is first hand user accounts of the issue at hand. BBB was always terrible to wade through and hard to make heads or tails of things. Plus the BBB never had any authority other then to say you arent on our nice list anymore.