16 Warranty Claims??

[trook]

I own a JD 5075E cab with 275 hours. The warranty expires in 1 week. I have had 16 warranty claims since my purchase; many of them (about half) air conditioner related. Being concerned about future issues with this tractor, I have simply lost confidence. Growing frustrated, I contacted JD in November to ask them to:

1. extend my warranty
2. extend my warrant concerning any future a/c related issue, or
3. replace the tractor

To make a long story short, the regional manager notified my local dealer that he has denied all my requests. They gave me 3 options:

1. purchase a 1-yr extended warranty for $1,200
2. purchase a 2-yr extended warranty for $1,800, or
3. replace the tractor with a new model at a cost of $12,500.

I reminded my local dealer that I have had issues since literally day 1. They acknowledged this and my local service manager admitted there have been too many claims with my tractor. I stated the a/c was still freezing up the last time I used the tractor in the fall, and you simply cannot duplicate atmospheric conditions in Jan/Feb that will compare with July and August 95-100 deg temperatures. Meaning any attempt to fix the a/c in the winter will not give an accurate result. Therefore, at a minimum, I requested for them to honor any future a/c related issue that may arise considering the initial problem still is not fixed 2 years later. My request was denied

According to the local service manager and salesman I know personally, the decision comes down the the regional rep. What options do I have at this point? I am being boxed into a corner, and it appears that the only option left is to engage in litigation. I consider myself a logical and reasonable individual, but I feel that JD's response is inappropriate. What do you think? What are my options at this point?

 

[quicksandfarmer]

Read this article:
How to Enforce Your Product Warranty

Short story, the manufacturer has a duty under US law to stand behind their product beyond just what they promise in the warranty.

 

[bigtiller]

To make a long story short, the regional manager notified my local dealer that he has denied all my requests. They gave me 3 options:

1. purchase a 1-yr extended warranty for $1,200
2. purchase a 2-yr extended warranty for $1,800, or
3. replace the tractor with a new model at a cost of $12,500.


According to the local service manager and salesman I know personally, the decision comes down the the regional rep. What options do I have at this point? I am being boxed into a corner, and it appears that the only option left is to engage in litigation. I consider myself a logical and reasonable individual, but I feel that JD's response is inappropriate. What do you think? What are my options at this point?

If I could replace it for $12500, that's what I would do. I sure wouldn't mention the "L" word, that just ruffles feathers and makes it hard to have a friendly, honest conversation. OR, maybe I would blow a gasket and do my shopping some where else.

edit; Rethinking this, I wouldn't buy another tractor from this dealer until he gets better mechanics. But I might blow a gasket if I wasn't careful.

 

[murphy1244]

I would trade that puppy in for something other than green as it would be asinine to do this all over again.

 

[trook]

I understand your suggestions about trading or getting a replacement for $12k. However, I don't have $12k to spend, and I don't believe I should have to. The tractor only has 275 hours on the clock. Trading, to me, would be a huge monetary loss considering it is basically a new tractor and JD should have fixed this problem a long time ago. Also, I have certainly been reasonable and cordial since the beginning. I have had friendly conversations with my salesman and service manager. Also, the 2 letters I sent JD were very diplomatic. However, its getting me nowhere.

It may or may not be a factor, but I happen to manage a city court. I work with attorneys on a daily basis (don't hold it against me), and I'm comfortable in a courtroom setting. The salesman knows this. I have a reputation for being very logical and reasonable without being a pushover. I can be assertive when necessary and appropriate.

 

[quicksandfarmer]

If I could replace it for $12500, that's what I would do. I sure wouldn't mention the "L" word, that just ruffles feathers and makes it hard to have a friendly, honest conversation. OR, maybe I would blow a gasket and do my shopping some where else.

I couldn't disagree more. I make it a point not to do business with people who don't stand behind their work or their product. In this case, neither the manufacturer nor the dealer are standing behind the product. To me as the consumer it is irrelevant which one is to blame, they both are. If the dealer valued his reputation he would put on his big boy pants and step up, he has chosen not to.

Neither one deserves your continued patronage.

 

[davesl708]

Having worked for the past 30 years with top management and members of the board of directors my advice would be a summary letter with details of claims and who you have been working with and send the letter return receipt to the CEO of John Deere. When the CEO starts asking what is going on the stuff runs down hill. Explain that most companies extend the warranty on parts they replace under warranty. An example is my 03 Trailblazer blew an engine at 82K miles. The original engine had 36K mile warranty. The new engine came with 100K.

Start at the top if the locals won't resolve the issue.

 

[Gary Fowler]

This is the very reason lemon laws were enacted. I know they cover all autos and possible any other warranted items. I suggest you contact a lawyer immediately, preferable one who specializes in lemon lawsuits. He should then file on JD immediately prior to your warranty expiration date. A friend sued Ford on his diesel truck and got it awarded a warranty for life on his truck. Of course Ford then wanted him to trade it in and gave him some smoking deal but why should he spend the extra money when the present truck now has a lifetime warranty as long as he owns it. He did this without a lawyer but he had months and months to take the case to arbitration.

 

[Gary Fowler]

By the way, stay away from that dealer and color if they treat their customers like that.

 

[quicksandfarmer]

Note that until you have another repair you don't really have a claim. Once you have had to pay for a repair then you can try and get reimbursed.