HayDR
Veteran Member, Approved Advertiser
To be fair Sicma makes the Rhino tillers TOO.
Tiller First Choice Tiller and rust
- Thread starter theboman
- Start date
- Views: 5125
rationalizer
Silver Member
- Joined
- Jul 1, 2002
- Messages
- 101
- Location
- Southeast Michigan
- Tractor
- JD 4710 e-hydro & R4's, JD LT160
My 74" First Choice tiller has the same issue - I saw it before I bought it. It was consistent on several of the units at the dealer - seems clear to me that it is the result of shipping tie downs or something similar. Remember - most tillers come from Italy these days...so they have a long ride on a boat. Even in containers there is a higher exposure to salt air and corrosion. I didn't see it as an indication that the basic paint job was weak. Paint it and be happy.
Bill
Bill
OP
theboman
Veteran Member
In the past few days I have received a can of spray paint to paint the rusted spots on my tiller, along with one decal that's nothing close to the TWO that are there.
First Choice has not impressed me with customer care, actually it's a lack of customer care or should I say appreciation. I have issues with a company that has a known quality control problem and expects the customer to do thier own repair and no type of reimbursement for services rendered.
My dealer has been a great help (thanks Ken) and I have nothing but great things to say about Sweet Tractors.
First Choice has not impressed me with customer care, actually it's a lack of customer care or should I say appreciation. I have issues with a company that has a known quality control problem and expects the customer to do thier own repair and no type of reimbursement for services rendered.
My dealer has been a great help (thanks Ken) and I have nothing but great things to say about Sweet Tractors.
HayDR
Veteran Member, Approved Advertiser
theboman,
AS a compactor of First Choice, it is not my position to throw salt in the wound. A warranty ends up only protecting the dealer. A dealer will almost give away the store to satisfy a customer. Unless there is a design flaw or initial failure the dealer realizes customer relations are their responsibility. You just will not get the amount of service on a $1,000 tiller that you would on a $40,000 auto or $20,000 tractor. In the tiller situation, the dealer made 3-4 times the profit that the FC made. In an auto situation or a tractor situation the MFG make 2-3 times the amount of profit the dealer made. When it comes to business it is ALWAYS about the MONEY. The dealer should have the most responsibility since he made the most money on the tiller and was the last authorized person to cure the problem before delivery to the customer. In your situation a dealer, Sweet Tractors, not sure this is the dealer that sold you the FC tiller, got you some help on a tiller out of the warranty period. It is the responsibility of the owner for maintenance and to report any possible warranty problems to their dealer. A MFG does not know this exists if you do not communicate this to them via your dealer. You should not slam FC 1.5 years after purchase because you just now informed them of a problem or of a potential problem that existed at the time of delivery. The "crying shame" is a good company is being trashed because of a customer's communication of a problem is tardy at best.
AS a compactor of First Choice, it is not my position to throw salt in the wound. A warranty ends up only protecting the dealer. A dealer will almost give away the store to satisfy a customer. Unless there is a design flaw or initial failure the dealer realizes customer relations are their responsibility. You just will not get the amount of service on a $1,000 tiller that you would on a $40,000 auto or $20,000 tractor. In the tiller situation, the dealer made 3-4 times the profit that the FC made. In an auto situation or a tractor situation the MFG make 2-3 times the amount of profit the dealer made. When it comes to business it is ALWAYS about the MONEY. The dealer should have the most responsibility since he made the most money on the tiller and was the last authorized person to cure the problem before delivery to the customer. In your situation a dealer, Sweet Tractors, not sure this is the dealer that sold you the FC tiller, got you some help on a tiller out of the warranty period. It is the responsibility of the owner for maintenance and to report any possible warranty problems to their dealer. A MFG does not know this exists if you do not communicate this to them via your dealer. You should not slam FC 1.5 years after purchase because you just now informed them of a problem or of a potential problem that existed at the time of delivery. The "crying shame" is a good company is being trashed because of a customer's communication of a problem is tardy at best.
OP
theboman
Veteran Member
It's not a warranty issue at all. It's the paint, dude I have a 2 + year old FEL, rotary cutter that gets 3 times the use and abuse of a tiller the paint STAYS on. It is an issue I have with First Choice, and they were AWARE of the problem.
As far as profit.... I don't care who made what, but I know who painted the tiller.
It's a great tiller, does exactly as adevertised...but the paint issue...power FLAKING...
I'm not asking them to refund my money just come and get my tiller and repaint it and not have ME touch up their mistakes.... It's more than painting a model car.
As far as profit.... I don't care who made what, but I know who painted the tiller.
It's a great tiller, does exactly as adevertised...but the paint issue...power FLAKING...
I'm not asking them to refund my money just come and get my tiller and repaint it and not have ME touch up their mistakes.... It's more than painting a model car.
HayDR
Veteran Member, Approved Advertiser
theboman,
First Choice doesn't make the tiller (or paint it). It is made by Scima and painted by them. They are based out of Italy. Take it back to your dealer and they will take care of it. If not repaint swap it out for another and deal with their distributor as a warranty issue. If it is out of warranty or not a defect then it is up to your dealer.
Good luck,
Michael
First Choice doesn't make the tiller (or paint it). It is made by Scima and painted by them. They are based out of Italy. Take it back to your dealer and they will take care of it. If not repaint swap it out for another and deal with their distributor as a warranty issue. If it is out of warranty or not a defect then it is up to your dealer.
Good luck,
Michael
Buster57
Platinum Member
Sorry you are having problems with the paint.
Sweet should be able to help you out. I am no paint expert, however, if it was a defective paint problem I think you would be seeing it in more places?
In the mean time, since it is past warranty, patch it up and make it work for you. I am sure that it will still last as long as your tractor.
I have a FC 1066 and it is tough as nails.
Sweet should be able to help you out. I am no paint expert, however, if it was a defective paint problem I think you would be seeing it in more places?
In the mean time, since it is past warranty, patch it up and make it work for you. I am sure that it will still last as long as your tractor.
I have a FC 1066 and it is tough as nails.