sodamo
Super Star Member
- Joined
- May 20, 2004
- Messages
- 15,801
- Location
- Big Island, HI
- Tractor
- LS XR4140H (Mine) BX2380 (wife’s)
Below is a copy of an email and sent to LS that I wrote over 3 weeks ago. I do believe I have allowed allowed adequate time for a response, or at least an acknowledgement. NOTHING
“I am a very new LS XR4140H owner. So new I haven’t taken delivery yet. No complaints about my small, fairly new dealer, but not off to a good start with LS Tractor USA in NC. Go to the contact page on the website and it prominently states “HOW CAN WE HELP?” I decided that I’d ask the same questions I’d asked my dealer, who had just left on family vacation. I tend to research major purchases. My primary concern was I really wanted R4 tires vs the R1 that came on it. Dealer was ready and willing to assist but no other tractor of same size in stock. We’d have to find alternative. I’ve run R4s on current tractors since 2005.
I have emailed via the corporate site three times - no response, not even acknowledgement. Last week, I telephoned, spoke to a very nice lady, Nancy, in NC who didn’t have the answers but firmly promised to email me the answers. No response to date.
My dealer called with info that LS was willing to do a R4 for R1 swap provided I’d be willing to pay the transportation cost each way. Encouraged, I asked dealer to get the details. Today I got them, $1100+ just to ship from NC to Hi one way, no price about return. Having shipped many heavy, bulky items to Hawaii, that’s about double my expectation. Additionally, dealer would have to pay cost of tires up front and be reimbursed at conclusion. I wouldn’t think to ask dealer to tie up $2500 to do me a courtesy. Additionally, his corporate contact tried to dissuade us stating the R4s would only last 4 months. Quite disingenuous at best. As stated above, I’ve been running R4s since 2005, my only replacement being a non repairable sidewall puncture.
So, results? Less than positively excited new LS owner for sure. A primary reason for buying LS over my current brand was dealer support and I conveyed same to dealer. As I said, happy with his support. Corporate? Severely disappointed. Apparently LS doesn’t care, after all I’m likely a small, one time purchaser. But really? In 2006 I needed to buy a tool online. Ace hardware had it and priced right, shipping however was horrific. The web site provided size, weight etc, easy to figure that most likely it would be shipped USPS Priority Mail, but the shipping only quote was more than 3 times that. I queried and was given the explanation that Hawaii was problematic with lots of returns. Of course the web site was clear that I would have to pay any return myself, so clearly not a truthful answer. I even told them that I knew how much the actual shipping cost would be and of course it was. Anyway, I needed the item and paid the price - Ace got to enjoy their excess profit and goodwill. I can count on one hand how many times I’ve visited the local Ace store and assure you that amounted to less than $100 over the 13 years. How many times have I repeated this story? Countless and undoubtedly will every time someone mentions Ace Hwd until I die.
So while I look forward to extolling the virtues of my XR4140H once I receive it as well as the excellent dealer service, I truly imagine that each instance will be accompanied by repeating the lack of good LS corporate customer service as stated above. One might guess that lack of service will have long term dividends just like good customer service.
I will take delivery of my new XR4140H early July, upon my return from vacation. It will come with the R1 tires. Given my soil conditions, expected use, and prior experience I don’t expect to be favorably happy with the R1s but will have to endure until I find reasonable R4 replacements.
Not wanting to be misunderstood or misquoted, I sending a copy of this email to my dealer. Also seriously considering posting under the LS Tractor Buying subtopic on TractorByNet forum, where I am an active member and frequent poster, but will wait until after LS close of business day tomorrow.
Still anticipating positive things about my new LS tractor.”
Like most here I sincerely hope for LS’s success. I did take delivery 7/3, but sadly, without the 3rd rear remote I ordered and waited for, apparently another corporate screw up. Who knows, maybe this will eventually get all resolved and I’ll trumpet the LS corporate virtues instead of sharing their neglect.
David
“I am a very new LS XR4140H owner. So new I haven’t taken delivery yet. No complaints about my small, fairly new dealer, but not off to a good start with LS Tractor USA in NC. Go to the contact page on the website and it prominently states “HOW CAN WE HELP?” I decided that I’d ask the same questions I’d asked my dealer, who had just left on family vacation. I tend to research major purchases. My primary concern was I really wanted R4 tires vs the R1 that came on it. Dealer was ready and willing to assist but no other tractor of same size in stock. We’d have to find alternative. I’ve run R4s on current tractors since 2005.
I have emailed via the corporate site three times - no response, not even acknowledgement. Last week, I telephoned, spoke to a very nice lady, Nancy, in NC who didn’t have the answers but firmly promised to email me the answers. No response to date.
My dealer called with info that LS was willing to do a R4 for R1 swap provided I’d be willing to pay the transportation cost each way. Encouraged, I asked dealer to get the details. Today I got them, $1100+ just to ship from NC to Hi one way, no price about return. Having shipped many heavy, bulky items to Hawaii, that’s about double my expectation. Additionally, dealer would have to pay cost of tires up front and be reimbursed at conclusion. I wouldn’t think to ask dealer to tie up $2500 to do me a courtesy. Additionally, his corporate contact tried to dissuade us stating the R4s would only last 4 months. Quite disingenuous at best. As stated above, I’ve been running R4s since 2005, my only replacement being a non repairable sidewall puncture.
So, results? Less than positively excited new LS owner for sure. A primary reason for buying LS over my current brand was dealer support and I conveyed same to dealer. As I said, happy with his support. Corporate? Severely disappointed. Apparently LS doesn’t care, after all I’m likely a small, one time purchaser. But really? In 2006 I needed to buy a tool online. Ace hardware had it and priced right, shipping however was horrific. The web site provided size, weight etc, easy to figure that most likely it would be shipped USPS Priority Mail, but the shipping only quote was more than 3 times that. I queried and was given the explanation that Hawaii was problematic with lots of returns. Of course the web site was clear that I would have to pay any return myself, so clearly not a truthful answer. I even told them that I knew how much the actual shipping cost would be and of course it was. Anyway, I needed the item and paid the price - Ace got to enjoy their excess profit and goodwill. I can count on one hand how many times I’ve visited the local Ace store and assure you that amounted to less than $100 over the 13 years. How many times have I repeated this story? Countless and undoubtedly will every time someone mentions Ace Hwd until I die.
So while I look forward to extolling the virtues of my XR4140H once I receive it as well as the excellent dealer service, I truly imagine that each instance will be accompanied by repeating the lack of good LS corporate customer service as stated above. One might guess that lack of service will have long term dividends just like good customer service.
I will take delivery of my new XR4140H early July, upon my return from vacation. It will come with the R1 tires. Given my soil conditions, expected use, and prior experience I don’t expect to be favorably happy with the R1s but will have to endure until I find reasonable R4 replacements.
Not wanting to be misunderstood or misquoted, I sending a copy of this email to my dealer. Also seriously considering posting under the LS Tractor Buying subtopic on TractorByNet forum, where I am an active member and frequent poster, but will wait until after LS close of business day tomorrow.
Still anticipating positive things about my new LS tractor.”
Like most here I sincerely hope for LS’s success. I did take delivery 7/3, but sadly, without the 3rd rear remote I ordered and waited for, apparently another corporate screw up. Who knows, maybe this will eventually get all resolved and I’ll trumpet the LS corporate virtues instead of sharing their neglect.
David
