Local dealership closed

[Foozle]

I live in the Greenville, SC area and my local Kubota dealership closed. Apparently the dealership wasn't up to current Kubota standards in terms of their facility. The dealership was given the choice of upgrading their facility (probably in the neighborhood of $1 million upgrade), or losing their franchise. They didn't want to invest the money, so they closed. Ok, so I understand all that, but what I don't understand is why Kubota didn't have a plan to open a new dealership in the same area. It's been over 6 months now, and I have nowhere (nearby) to take my equipment to be repaired. The closest dealer is about 60 miles away. I don't have a trailer, so the transport cost to have them pick up and drop off is prohibitive.

I called Kubota to complain and ask why they didn't have a transition plan and I was basically stonewalled. They said they were sorry and would lodge my complaint. Do I have any recourse? I guess not, but it is frustrating. I currently own a L5740 Kubota tractor, Z421 Kubota mower and a few other smaller Kubota equipment. I'm tempted to just sell everything off (at a loss I'm sure) and go John Deere. We have a local Deere dealership that likely isn't going anywhere soon.

Thoughts on this? Thanks!

 

[TSO]

What reason do you NEED a dealer that's so close? It's not like you're making daily trips there for service (right?). Keep your Kubota equipment, they are fairly reliable. You should be able to manage without a dealer immediately close to you, parts are readily available online, and if something happens that you can't handle yourself, you still have the dealer that you can drive to albeit a little distance away

 

[Citydude]

I live in the Greenville, SC area and my local Kubota dealership closed. Apparently the dealership wasn't up to current Kubota standards in terms of their facility. The dealership was given the choice of upgrading their facility (probably in the neighborhood of $1 million upgrade), or losing their franchise. They didn't want to invest the money, so they closed. Ok, so I understand all that, but what I don't understand is why Kubota didn't have a plan to open a new dealership in the same area. It's been over 6 months now, and I have nowhere (nearby) to take my equipment to be repaired. The closest dealer is about 60 miles away. I don't have a trailer, so the transport cost to have them pick up and drop off is prohibitive.

I called Kubota to complain and ask why they didn't have a transition plan and I was basically stonewalled. They said they were sorry and would lodge my complaint. Do I have any recourse? I guess not, but it is frustrating. I currently own a L5740 Kubota tractor, Z421 Kubota mower and a few other smaller Kubota equipment. I'm tempted to just sell everything off (at a loss I'm sure) and go John Deere. We have a local Deere dealership that likely isn't going anywhere soon.

Thoughts on this? Thanks!

Buying a trailer would be far, far cheaper than trading.

 

[sea2summit]

I haven’t had any issues I have been able to fix with a multi-meter and connected cleaner (one incident). Other than that routine maintenance and I order from Messecks. My nearest dealer is about an hour and a half from me on a good day and I’ve actually never been in their shop. If something happens I can’t fix then yeah, gonna be some gas money towing it up there but probably nothing compared to that repair bill:ashamed:

 

[fried1765]

I live in the Greenville, SC area and my local Kubota dealership closed. Apparently the dealership wasn't up to current Kubota standards in terms of their facility. The dealership was given the choice of upgrading their facility (probably in the neighborhood of $1 million upgrade), or losing their franchise. They didn't want to invest the money, so they closed. Ok, so I understand all that, but what I don't understand is why Kubota didn't have a plan to open a new dealership in the same area. It's been over 6 months now, and I have nowhere (nearby) to take my equipment to be repaired. The closest dealer is about 60 miles away. I don't have a trailer, so the transport cost to have them pick up and drop off is prohibitive.

I called Kubota to complain and ask why they didn't have a transition plan and I was basically stonewalled. They said they were sorry and would lodge my complaint. Do I have any recourse? I guess not, but it is frustrating. I currently own a L5740 Kubota tractor, Z421 Kubota mower and a few other smaller Kubota equipment. I'm tempted to just sell everything off (at a loss I'm sure) and go John Deere. We have a local Deere dealership that likely isn't going anywhere soon.

Thoughts on this? Thanks!

Ever thought about just buying a trailer?
A trailer is likely the best equipment investment that there is.
It will retain a significant percentage of it's original value for years.

You are in an area where new trailers are relatively cheap.

You might try Kaufmann Trailers in Lexington, NC. They have a very good reputation, for both price and quality.

I have a 14K - 20' Equipment trailer (not Kaufmann) that I would not want to be without.

 

[grsthegreat]

A trailer would be way cheaper than the loss in depreciation you'd experience. Nearly every dealer would ship filters, small parts.

 

[diesel85]

I've got a few selections of Kubota dealers within 20 miles. More if I choose a 50 mile radius. So I am never without parts and service. I do have a truck and trailer though... so I can theoretically pick and choose if I wanted to bring my machine to one.

However, technically speaking, you don't have to bring your machine to a Kubota dealer for maintenance and service. You can take it to that John Deere dealer, and I'm sure they'd be more than happy to work on it. Only downside, it may get held up longer because they need to order parts, versus having them in stock or in their "dealer network". It's no different than taking your Ford car to a GM dealer for service.

What often happens is if they show good work on your existing machine, they figure it likely you'll eventually upgrade to one of theirs. Which is good faith marketing.

Another trend that is popping up around my area is on-site equipment service, where a small business doesn't have a shop, they do everything out of a service truck. There is one in my area that charges the same amount as if you were to bring it to the dealer for say oil changes, fluid exchanges, and other maintenance items. Originally they were for large pieces of equipment stuck in fields or weren't practical to be placed on a trailer. Now they do sub compacts, and more.

The only time I am desperate for dealer service is when it's under warranty OR it's something I know I can't tackle.

All my parts I order online... rarely do I go local for parts -- unless it's some very weird parts -- or I need their expertise on cross referencing...

 

[txdon]

I had my Kubota for 14 years and was 60 miles from the dealer. I decided not to get a trailer and just pay the EXTRA $75 tacked on service call for a mechanic to come to my place. He came out twice. I did go to the dealer about 10 times for parts, mostly filters and fluids to to take in a parts in for repair like a hydraulic cylinder that could be easily removed. It worked out just fine. Don't panic or feel stranded check to see if they have traveling mechanics.

 

[zoltanthegypsy]

I understand the impulse to jump to JD, but if you do be very sure you can count on the dealer sticking around. I like the trailer idea...

30 years ago when I had a Green Thing parts and some service were (long) walking distance. JD yanked their franchise. OK, a 20-mile drive to a quality dealer... I can handle that. JD yanked their franchise. Ouch. 90-mile drive to a decent dealer, and at least it's near the fishing cabin, so I can handle that. You guessed it... JD yanked _their_ franchise. At that point it was a ferry ride and an hour drive to a big dealer. I have no idea if they still have their franchise - did that once, never again.

Went orange. A bit of a pain (the local dealer leaves something to be desired..) but there are two quality dealers worth the drive.

TLDR: based on history, you can't count on JD dealers sticking around...

my $.02,
Z.

 

[Industrial Toys]

There's an opportunity right there. Why don't YOU open a Kubota Delaership?


I'm guessing that there is no such thing as a corporate run store. They are probably all privately owned, so that is totally beyond the control of Kubota. I'm sure they Bully their dealers, (maybe why they closed) but certainly can't make someone open a location.

 

[Diggin It]

Trailers may be 'cheap' in the $1500-$2000 range, but if you don't have a vehicle capable of pulling it, well .....


All color dealers are 40-80 miles from me. Grocery stores and most other stores are 20-30. Distance is relative.

 

[Thomas]

This isn't happening to tractor dealership even motorcycles dealers are facing it also...the mall look.

 

[Wagtail]

I understand the impulse to jump to JD, but if you do be very sure you can count on the dealer sticking around. I like the trailer idea...

30 years ago when I had a Green Thing parts and some service were (long) walking distance. JD yanked their franchise. OK, a 20-mile drive to a quality dealer... I can handle that. JD yanked their franchise. Ouch. 90-mile drive to a decent dealer, and at least it's near the fishing cabin, so I can handle that. You guessed it... JD yanked _their_ franchise. At that point it was a ferry ride and an hour drive to a big dealer. I have no idea if they still have their franchise - did that once, never again.

Went orange. A bit of a pain (the local dealer leaves something to be desired..) but there are two quality dealers worth the drive.

TLDR: based on history, you can't count on JD dealers sticking around...

my $.02,
Z.

Based on your own history... in your own little neck-of-the-woods.

I, on the other hand, live on a magical island where the JD dealership knows me by name and are a pleasure to deal with in all aspects. It is a 2 hour, one way, trip to visit them... but it would be at least the same for any of the other colour tractor dealerships.

To the OP: I agree with the advice about either getting a float (trailer) to transport your tractor/Z-turn to the dealership or pay for a remote visit. There's no need to ditch them if they're perfectly satisfactory to you.

 

[Ford850]

Foozle - most of the JD dealers in your area are now owned by Ag-Pro. They bought up 84 dealers from TX to SC to Ohio. If big is better, then you have that. If it were me I would keep all you have and get it serviced as needed at a much lower cost than you will have if you decide to jump colors.

 

[Foozle]

Thanks for all the advice! I probably did blow things more out of proportion than needed to be. I guess it is just frustrating because you'd think Kubota would have had some sort of transition plan in place before forcing that dealer to close. There is also a Kubota construction dealer nearby that has been begging to become a full line dealer, but for some reason Kubota isn't letting them. I guess they are very picky about granting dealerships. I can check with JD/Ag Pro, but not sure they will service Kubotas -- if so, that would solve it.

Probably the trailer idea is the best one, but the only downside is that I would lose my excuse for not letting my son-in-law borrow my equipment!

 

[SDT]

Thanks for all the advice! I probably did blow things more out of proportion than needed to be. I guess it is just frustrating because you'd think Kubota would have had some sort of transition plan in place before forcing that dealer to close. There is also a Kubota construction dealer nearby that has been begging to become a full line dealer, but for some reason Kubota isn't letting them. I guess they are very picky about granting dealerships. I can check with JD/Ag Pro, but not sure they will service Kubotas -- if so, that would solve it.

Probably the trailer idea is the best one, but the only downside is that I would lose my excuse for not letting my son-in-law borrow my equipment!

Maybe you could "coerce" the SIL into buying the trailer???

SDT

 

[BHD]

most any capable (truck or diesel), should be capable of working on your tractor,
95% of maintenance is changing fluids and filters, can checking air in tires,

usually changing oil in a tractor is simple and most filters are easy accessible, one may have get a bit dirty but for a tractor owner that should not be a problem to one,

unless one needs injector work or an overhaul or clutch replaced, and that should not happen in the first 3000 to 5000 hours, and I would venture to guess you don't put that many hours on the tractor, so my guess is you will not come to that point in 10 to 20 years, maybe longer, we farmed for the last 40 years, I have two 4020 tractors 1970, and 71, and ran in the fields all summer long, for over 49 years, they both have about 10,000+ hours on them that was running them up to 8 to 12 hrs a day many a summer day, one should be able to do your normal maintenance without a dealer next door, I think my one tractor has been in the dealership one time in it life, and they did not fix it right, I have overhauled both tractors and clutches, (split them) about 6000 hours on both of them, for the last 49 years done the maintenance and repairs,

IMO you should be fine for 99% of the time,

and besides at the dealership rates they charge an hour, even if your tool poor currently, it wouldn't take to many trips to pay for a nice complete set of tools.

 

[jeff9366]

This scenario, LOCAL DEALERSHIP CLOSED, probably the same location, was thoroughly chewed earlier in April:

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums...alers-out.html?highlight=Kubota+closed+dealer

 

[Industrial Toys]

It's often more about the actual mechanic that works on your stuff anyway. although without doubt, a dealership has more resources available for their stuff than someone elses. Especially new stuff.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Since the SIL may end up with your equipment one day anyway he might "Need" to take the opportunity to maintain it and care for it himself or trucking it on his trailer you can also use for other needs. I have two trailers that I've maintained for a SIL and two nephews for some years.