IS IT REALLY WORTH IT?

[gordon]

Don't think it's the right direction it in Camden Delaware and the name of the dealer is Burke Equipment. Sorry its not closer. There have to be some good dealers down your way hope this will get a better response for you than I could give. Closer to home that is!
Gordon

 

[jgh]

dealers and some global comments, etc

8/16

[Wen, I hope you'll stick with me on the oil/dead shuttle thread a bit later].

My caution stands for all those who search out the best deal:

After 12 trouble free years with a tractor like Wen describes (a Ford 1720), I opt'd for a more complex (and more capable) machine, and bad as the luck can be, it needs weird service early on. I know absolutely nothing about Kubotas other than they come in a rather tangerine-like shade of orange, but few advances in technology are flawless. You can always know the pioneers by the arrows in their backs. If that had scared me, I could have gone for the simpler JD Ten series, or even a 2120 New Holland. Or, evidently, a Kubota.

It did not, I did not and am still happy with the particular features I have on New Blue. But I sure wish my dealer was closer to me and wiser about the particular machine he sold me...especially under the circumstances. Well, duh.

And though Mark's lament about dealers of little knowledge* hit a nerve because of some non-tractor experiences that back him up, I believe good, knowledgeable folks are out there.

Recognizing them is at least as hard as getting a good deal.

/w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif

FWIW
Jim

*and his comment about being more knowledgeable reminds me of my father's comment about my trying to be an "expert on everything". /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

ps--Late word of the day in convs with dealer: looks like my trouble may well be a simple switch, stay tuned.

ps2--I was taken aback when one of our number went ballistic about his brakes problem b4 he had even tried to get help from the dealer. To me that seemed at least a little unfair.

 

[JerryG]

Re: dealers and some global comments, etc

jgh,
I agree with you on most if not all of your comments. But I would like to also add--the ones of use that have worked on or around tractors for all or for the most of our life can lead the inexperienced to believe the wrong things. There are a lot of members and non-members alike that glean information from here (my self included). I believe that it is our responsibleable to try not to be totally colorblind and to also be honest in the information we present. Every manufacture has had a bad apple or two. It is the good companies and most importantly the good dealer that makes a purchase of a tractor into the purchase of a GOOD tractor.
JerryG

 

[trb]

Tenn Mike,
It is interesting that you posted this guestion,as I am dealing with this situation right now.I live in NE Illinois were the majority of ag tractors are the big 3(green,red,blue).I need a 80 h.p.tractor for my hay operation and have priced at my local JD and NH dealership.I would love to buy from the JD dealer but I can't afford the tractor they offer in what I need.
A friend directed me to Kubota,and am now wanting to buy aM8200 series tractor.Here is my problem,I have went to the 3 nearest kubota dealers taken from their website,and neither of them have been able to answer any questions,they don't stock M series tractors,and I feel like if I did let them price me a tractor,they wouldn't be much help to me in service.
On the other hand,found a Kubota dealer off the internet,Modern Equipment,called them,they have 6 8200's in stock,they have a 4wd with a loader I can test drive,and the dealer said I could have delivery in about a week if I decided to buy.
In my mind,this guy in Tenn. has done more for me,than the local dealers.
If this dealer was local,his tractor would be in my barn already,and I didn't shop his price because I feel he was giving me a good value for my dollar.
I think most guys would pay more to shop local,if they felt their dealer was going to take care of them.I know I would.Tom

 

[MATTinMO]

A fella once told me his opinion was worth excactly what I paid for it ( which was nothin ) and I give you all the same price! I dont hold any claim to knowing a whole lot about too many things and all I really have is my own experience. If you have a honest reliable local dealer that wants your buisness he wont care if you shop him and if you find a lower price and he cant beat it he will just tell you
" I cant match that price but this is the best I can do" and he wont go into badmouthin anyone.
as far as service goes ..... I hate to admit this openly but its true....I do everthing I can to not have to take anything car / truck / tractor to a dealer for service.
I just feel that no one will take the care that I will on servicing my equipment ( no to mention the hassle of being without car/truck/tractor while they have it) Yes I even admit I power wash the engine compartments / underside of my vehicles with regularity. But to answer the meat of the post I would always prefer local when possible but if I feel Im about to be rolled over I go on down the road.
Bottom line is keep your eyes open and be a "smart consumer"

 

[tralderman]

We always make a point to invite our potential customers into our parts & service departments so they can see the investment we are making at our dealership to provide the highest levels of customer support. We keep Kubota parts in stock, we invest in the prescribed Kubota service tools, we enroll all of our tech's in Kubota technical schools, and we keep an entire fleet of late model trucks and trailers.
If the customer is a price-shopper ONLY, we may get beat on deals now and then. But for those who are looking for a commitment from their dealership, we feel we offer a better value for the money.

Tim Alderman - Alderman's Inc.
Lennon, Michigan
www.aldermans.com

 

[Hawgee]

Very well said Tim.
Ditto..
Ditto...
Ditto....

Darn, I'm on the west coast. Hope someone is listening. /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

"What is a weed? A plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered."
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)

 

[Thomas]

Mike,
As you have found out there more than just picking out a brand name tractor,{Kubota/w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif}yep there a dealership you also must consider.
As the saying goes the product only as good as the dealer.
Try not to look at it a job but fun,and you shall learn more not only about your purchase but yourself as well.

Stay safe and/w3tcompact/icons/cool.gif

Thomas..NH

 

[gordon]

Re: dealers and some global comments, etc

If a tech ever did that with a truck in our shop he would be run out so quick it wouldn't even be funny and thats by the other tech's. I would never work in the same shop with a knucklehead like that. Anyone dumb enough not to shake check the lift does not think a much of himself--that is to live to see tomorrow in one piece.

In our shop we have lifts that can lift a pickup or van and go up in size to a bus. The lift in the bay next to mine is a two pole and can lift a bus. So I don't have time in the day to worry if he has picked up a unit that could easily squish me to a pancake. Let alone himself!!!

For a dealer not to step up to the plate with the engine rebuild is a joke. In my eyes both the dealer and Ford were in the wrong as far as the customer goes. As long as you could show the oil change log and or shop tickets they didn't have a leg to stand on. It pays in this day and age to keep good records for future use if needed. But the dealer alot of times has to ride the maker of the auto to get the warranty claim approved.

So it stems back to a good dealer is worth his weight in gold when it comes problem time. Cheapest price isn't always the best way to go at times. But at times when your pinched for time it seems like things always get worse not better.

Over selling at alot of auto dealers is common place because the techs are paid flat rate and its gravy money for them. But its plain old ripping off the unknowing customer who takes the dealers word for it. There are alot of franchise shops out there that tell the techs to sell the customers items reguardless if they need them or not. So sad. There is a ton of honest money to be made but these ripoff artists ruin the whole industry in the eyes of the public.

I work in an R/V shop and the techs get paid by the hour we to alot of warranty work for Chevy, Workhorse, Ford, Spartan, plus about thirty other companies. We stand behind our work and don't need to rip any customer off there is plenty of honest work out there. We are dropping a large line of moterhomes because the quality just isn't there and they don't want to improve it. I won't name the line for fear of someone owning one.

Del as for the brakes on the tractor yes your right or should I say that I agree with you that they should have worked better than that from the dealer. But give the dealer a chance to right the problem and also tell him your problem and what could have happened from it.
Gordon

 

[jgh]

Do you know this dealer?

Pitchfork Motors...with its Hot as the Hinges of Hades deals, a veritable inferno of savings. But they have a service department and aftersales relationship to match. In fact I think the devilmaycare pasture-side service is free....

Sometimes they are the only folks who will deal with…

…the Customer from Hell /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif !!!

After all they really are his <font color=red>LOCAL</font color=red> dealer /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

<font color=red>Ha Haaa Ha HA HA HA HA!! </font color=red>

 

[jgh]

Re: dealers and some global comments, etc

8/17

Hey, Del, wasn't referring to you. You were only visiting when you hooked up with those dealers, right?

big /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

Kidding aside, pls find a competent dealer to see if those brakes are to specs and/or if any negligence was involved. If so, then burn Kubota's house down on here. I'll help you.

Safety is every decent member's first concern on here, jeez I hope it is.

J

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Re: dealers and some global comments, etc

As usual Gordon you're right on the money.

As I've mentioned before, being an RV tech must be one of the most challenging endeavors! Not only do you have to be a truck mehanic, you also get to be an upholsterer, cabinet maker, plumber, 110/220 electrician, glass installer, hydraulic specialist (jacks, steps,) propane service guy etc etc etc!!! And on top of that after you fix their "house" they plan on driving it over the worst possible roads to loosen your work up!

I'm sure you've seen the nice folks and the pesky ones as well. "Our bathroom door never squeaked before you changed the driveshaft U-jts..."

On that Ford engine, if I had thought about it before hand I would have had an independent lab take the oil from the pan and analyze it.

I just never expected such a situation. And PROVING my case..? The difference between proving your case and not proving your case is called "legal fees." Another dealer who I had purchased from did something and sold me a reman long block and installed it at bargain basement prices.

Why didn't I buy from them that time? Not price, they had hired a sales person that we had run into on another deal and we ran away like chickens who accidentally walked in on a wolf convention.

And the Tahoe falling off the rack, again, what was the scariest aspect was that the service manager didn't even "fake" being surprised!

 

[gordon]

Re: dealers and some global comments, etc

Your right about the challange today I did slideout moter and shaft, awning spring, compartment doors, cab door, plumbing leak-nasty-blacktank, install, wire dash fans, solarpanel regulator and finished the day off with a no start problem./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

On Monday I did a repack, magnets, brake job on an Airstream traveltrailer and they called back and said ever since I did the brake job their radio doesn't work.-----explain that one-----Never even opened the door on the trailer let alone turned the radio on!!!! The fun never stops--Yes we sure get our share of pesky ones or very retentive so to speak!!
Gordon

I can't believe that the manager didn't chew that guys you know what with your Tahoe.

 

[Kelvin]

As far as Tennessee dealers go, you might try the Kubota dealer in Knoxville [www.tennvall.com; (865) 687-5418] or the dealer in Athens TN (1-800-247-6240). I have visited the Kubota dealer in Lebanon TN but really cannot vouch for them one way or another. I have heard that there are three Kubota dealers in the Chattanooga area which offer competitive pricing (I've not personally validated that statement). Finally, I have seen positive comments on this board about the dealer in the Tri-Cities area (Modern Equipment?).

Happy Shopping!