Lack of response from Kioti on loader repair program

Hard · Jan 28, 2007

coasterez said:
I'm several hundred miles from my dealer. Not sure what I'm going to do at this point.

Coasterez, you're only 25 miles or so from Wertz Power Equipment, an authorized Kioti dealer. There shouldn't be any problems at all taking your tractor there (even though you didn't buy it there because they are so da**** expensive) for the loader patch up job. You know Wertz will certainly charge you as much as they can get away with to pick up and deliver your tractor.

I'm sure Wertz will honor any warranty repairs even though you bought from a dealer hundreds of miles away. You won't have to wait any longer for your tractor to be repaired than any of their local customers.

An authorized Kioti dealer wouldn't turn away warranty work from someone who did not buy from them, would they???? Nah....Kioti Corporation wouldn't stand for that.

IslandTractor · Jan 28, 2007

Donnyj said:
Anybody know what the cost of the kit is? Just wondering how much a person would have to spend to repair the loader after the cut off date. Might not really be a big deal if someone misses the cut off date.

Interesting question. I wonder if Kioti will stock and sell these kits after the repair program expires. For those who cannot work out a reasonable arrangement with their dealer regarding installation of the repair parts without incurring large transport costs, it might actually be cheaper to forgo the "warranty" repair and just buy the parts to install yourself.

If that is the case then Kioti should just recognize that many people are going to want such an option to save on transport costs (and hassle). They should just let us have the parts now as a goodwill gesture rather than continue to waste our time and energy trying to figure out how to get this done.

Also, if Kioti claims that the 30April deadline is really to motivate dealers to install these kits expiditiously, then they should just offer dealers an incentive (50% bonus perhaps) for kits installed before April 30 but continue to offer the repair program for a year or more. That would accomplish their goal without putting unfair burden on their customers.

NewToy · Jan 29, 2007

Donnyj said:
Anybody know what the cost of the kit is? Just wondering how much a person would have to spend to repair the loader after the cut off date. Might not really be a big deal if someone misses the cut off date.

Surely they are blowing smoke with that "cut off date", especially due to the fact they haven't notified any end users as of yet. TBN'ers would be a very teeny-tiny percentage of owners and everyone else is basking in blissful ignorance. I have been involved with heavy equipment warranty policies for several mfgs over the years and have never heard of such a bush league approach to a potentially dangerous defect by a company. They had an oppurtunity to really shine here and they failed to execute. The "deadline" is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard of. Sounds like something some shysters came up with. Not the way an up and coming international manufacturing concern that has great tractors and striving for more market share should react. IMO they really shot themselves in the foot on this deal.

John

mathey · Jan 29, 2007

Wertz Power Equipment, an authorized Kioti dealer. There shouldn't be any problems at all taking your tractor there (even though you didn't buy it there because they are so da**** expensive) for the loader patch up job. You know Wertz will certainly charge you as much as they can get away with to pick up and deliver your tractor.

ooohhh yea, and anything else they can $tick you for

I'm sure Wertz will honor any warranty repairs even though you bought from a dealer hundreds of miles away. You won't have to wait any longer for your tractor to be repaired than any of their local customers. An authorized Kioti dealer wouldn't turn away warranty work from someone who did not buy from them, would they???? Nah....Kioti Corporation wouldn't stand for that.

oh, they'll work on it alright, but you'll end up paying one way or another

frenchie4x4 · Jan 29, 2007

Hey guys I have used Wertz power equipment on several occasions for warranty work and have never paid a dime for any work done. I shopped there when I was ready to buy they were out of stock. I got impatient and bought over the internet (DK50c) out of state.When an issue came about they transfered my warranty through Kioti to there shop. No problem! Rick,Fred,Kevin and all the employees there are friendly and proffesional.
Since then I have bought a kioti 2385 bh they took $1300 off the regular price and it works flawlessly. YES ANY KIOTI DEALER CAN DO YOUR WARRANTY WORK!!. COASTEREZ I would give them a call toll free at 1-800-839-1992 ask for Rick in service Frenchie4x4

mathey · Jan 30, 2007

well, i'm glad someone had a good experience there, that's the first I've ever heard of

frenchie4x4 · Jan 30, 2007

One thing I forgot to mention. my warranty was 3yrs. First 2yrs parts and labor third year parts only. Here on TBN the question is asked about doing your own work. I personaly have taken in a bad part and got a warranty part at no charge and did work (labor) myself. I always assumed thats what the third year "parts only" warranty was for.Full time farmers can not always afford large labor costs or down time so they do repairs themselves.Also I have been a mechanic/tech for 28yrs and I like to take things (tractor) apart to see what makes it work or modify it to work better. frenchie4x4

coasterez · Jan 31, 2007

Thanks to all. I am aware of Wertz, and I can say nothing bad about them. They seemed like good enough people when I visited there. Just too high on their asking price. Am also concerned about prompt turn around there based on some users' past experiences. No matter where the dealer is, I will have to pay transportation costs as I do not have the means to transport myself. Any cost to me for this fix just isn't acceptable. But, (at least for me) the jury is still out as to how Kioti will ultimately handle this problem. I'm just in a wait-and-see mode.

jk96 · Jan 31, 2007

No matter where the dealer is, I will have to pay transportation costs as I do not have the means to transport myself. Any cost to me for this fix just isn't acceptable.

While I've been critical of how Kioti has handled this issue up to this point, I also am surprised how many owners are baffled that they would have to actually take thier tractor to the dealer for service, and pay for the cost to get it there.

One of the main factors when I bought my tractor was distance to dealer and others comments on level of service. If you bought a tractor with the closest dealer being 200 miles away, well what do you expect. I know I would expect a long trip to the dealer for repair issues. I would also expect to pay someone to transport my tractor on even a short trip if I didn't have the means. It's not my dealers responsiblity to make sure I have transportation.

jk

Bob_Skurka · Jan 31, 2007

frenchie4x4 said:
One thing I forgot to mention. my warranty was 3yrs. First 2yrs parts and labor third year parts only.

That may be true for your tractor warranty but is it true for your loader warranty? Most loaders and backhoes that I know of (and I did not check with Kioti on their specific policy) have a 1 year warranty on attachments.

jk96 said:
I also am surprised how many owners are baffled that they would have to actually take thier tractor to the dealer for service, and pay for the cost to get it there.

I would agree with you that for regular service or regular maintainence, the customer is responsible.

However in this case there is a design/manufacturing defect. When my NH loader had a design issue the dealer picked up my tractor, replaced the brass fittings, and returned my tractor at no cost to me. I think there is a HUGE difference between a customer service call, and a design flaw. The manufacturer should be responsible for the costs if the problem is design/build/engineering. JMO

Now I do not think the selling dealer is responsible for the repair. Given some of the distances traveled reported here, it seems like the CLOSEST dealer should install the repair kit, but it should be at the cost of the manufacturer.