Am I being picky on this?

jhortonvt · Mar 27, 2005

I bought a 4310 last December, and this weekend I got my 300cx FEL, (I didn't really need it until now so I let the dealer store it).

My problem is -and it's a small one but just something that kind of bugged me- the loader decals are almost all crooked, and they left some of their white tracking and shipping stickers on.
For instance the long JOHN DEERE decal on each loader arm is shifted by about 2 inches on either arm, and the 300CX decal at the base of the mast is at two totally different angles. And then I spent about 30 minutes with a razor blade and WD-40 removing the shipping stickers.

I couldn't imagine a new car-and we all know these cost more than alot of cars- being delivered like that. I know it's a tractor but you all understand the passion we have for these beauties.

So I guess I'm just venting a little when it comes down to it. I have the address of the facility in Ontario and I was thinking of writing a letter asking for a decal kit so I could redo them on my own, but I don't know if their applied there or at the dealer. Anybody know?

Oh and the other thing is there are alot of scrapes on the box and various places on the framework of the loader. So much so that my wife asked if it was used. The inside of the box is pristine so it wasn't, but am I out of line to ask for some touch up paint?

JDGREEN4ME · Mar 27, 2005

Sounds like some poor quality control. I don't know if you are being picky or not. I will say that the "out of line decals" would bother me also. As for who puts the decals on all of the stuff I have ever seen delivered when I've been at my dealer had them on already.

texastomtom · Mar 27, 2005

Being picky isn't necessarily bad.

I had a different machine at first that was a demo 990 that the dealer used to get me interested in buying a tractor... ( i wasn't even looking for one )

Well it got me interested and obviously I wound up buying.
However,,,, to your point,,, The demo had the stickers all messed up on it including the safety stickers.. I told him before I bought that if my tractor came in looking like that I would not be interested.

When my tractor came in and he delivered it - everything was striaght and perfect and washed and in just right condition.........

tom

Maybe I was lucky - maybe he had to redo some - I don't know - but he knew I would only take delivery of it in proper condition. If it had been messed up I would have given them the opportunity to make it right prior to signing any papers..

It is either in new correct condition or it is not...

Tom

Cliff_Johns · Mar 27, 2005

Looking at tractors on the lot quite a bit, I never noticed this problem and yes, it would be annoying. Admittedly, a tractor is a tool and not intended to look good as its primary purpose, but that''s just wrong.

Cliff

jcmseven · Mar 28, 2005

J:

You are NOT being picky on this. These tractors and loaders are very expensive machines. The purchase of one of them is as financially profound as buying a car, or more so. To have a misaligned decal would not only drive me insane, but also represents an unacceptable quality issue on a very pricey loader. I would attempt to handle this through the dealer. They have a way to get an instruction sheet on the removal and replacement of decals on equipment and should be able to handle this for you. My father's 335 garden tractor (still a $6000 + piece of equipment, had a similar issue. The decal kit came in and was replaced, no problem. I would accept nothing less than slightly better than perfect on your loader.

John M.

Dave4410 · Mar 28, 2005

Why not just ask your dealer to switch the loader for a new one? I think he gave you the defective loader because it was pre-sold and can't imagine he would put it on a tractor for display in his showroom. It should be as presented in the brochure and owner's manual. Put it to him that way and I'd bet he'll cooperate.

dicker · Mar 28, 2005

Good morning

I may be way off on this one and I had to think about it for a while before I responded, but it certainly would not be one of my priorities to get the decals changed.

I am not saying that it wouldn't bother me, but at the same time I would not make a special appointment with service. I may tie it into my 50 hr. service or down the road when a warranty issue crops up.

Richard

DJLX · Mar 28, 2005

That would be bother me also especially the decals. My loader had shipping labels all over the bottom of the bucket which after 6 hours of dirt work are gone /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
What I don't like are the safety labels/operating instructions all over the place like I'm going to read them while operating everytime. I know that they probably have to do it for legality reasons but how would you like to have them plastered all over your shiny new SUV? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

dmp437 · Mar 28, 2005

In the automotive realm decals and emblems are using applied using jigs so that they are the same every time. It's an important part of "brand management" for everything to be uniform. I would have hoped that JD would have followed suit.
I would certainly complain about it. With no complaint there is no record (ISO 9001 procedure) that there is a problem and nothing is done about it. If there are complaints the assembly procedure is altered to eleiminate them (or should be).