Minor warranty problem, BEWARE!!!!!

   / Minor warranty problem, BEWARE!!!!! #1  

JM_OBRIEN

New member
Joined
Jul 21, 2005
Messages
8
Ok, I haven't been here for awhile but I do appreciate the ones that have helped in the past so THANK YOU!!!!!

Before anyone gets **** I have already voiced my concern to the dealer and he did not want to cooperate so here goes.......

I recently noticed that on my Branson 3510, which is less than 2 years old, had a considerable leak in the tank that holds the power steering fluid. Turns out it had dry-rotted and when I contacted the dealer, they told me Branson knew about the condition and Branson had a "fix" which included totally removing the tank and powering the steering through the main hydraulic system. They also said that I would only have to pay for the hydraulic fluid since the "fix" required them to drain the complete system. I don't like it but I agreed to paying for the fluid and in my opinion they could have reused the fluid, I mean I understand that new fluid is always better but $66 for all new fluid on a tractor with less than 150 hrs????

Anyway, when I dropped it off I also advised them that when I lift my mower the rear arms give a slight jolt every ten seconds or so and to check it out and let me know what they find.

7 days later I get a call and am told that they cannot go any further with my tractor until they talk to me about my mower???????? Yeah, the 6-foot finish mower BEHIND the tractor. Out of the goodness of their heart, they checked out my mower and said it needs new belts because they have stretched and cannot be adjusted any more(I just had two of the rotors replaced and all new belts put on less than three weeks ago). So....BS!!

After that is resolved, I'm told that I owe $126. When I question how much the hydraulic fluid was they tell me that they had to replace the hydraulic filter to fix the arm problem because it was clogged and that was $20 plus labor of around $30. This is where I come unglued......noone asked me if I wanted it replaced, I wanted the problem looked at and told them to let me know what the problem was. You don't bring your car to the dealership and just give them free will to replace whatever they think needs to be replaced at any price do you????? It's $50 but more than that it was the point.

I voiced my concern to the "christian" dealership owner and he loses touch with reality AND his "christianity". He goes on to flog me for whatever I'm worth and finally agrees to reduce the price. He could not get it through his thick skull that someone should have verified the charge first. I'm sorry to make this so long but this is just the LATEST dealings with this place but it is DEFINATELY the last. Heck, he even said that he will not work on the tractor again, no problemo!. He does not want to honor his warranty while other dealers gladly will, what gives?!?!?! Too bad for Branson!!!!

Jon
 
   / Minor warranty problem, BEWARE!!!!! #2  
So the dealer sold you the fluid at cost and the filter at or very near cost and upgraded the power-steering system under warranty, where he really could have just installed another plastic tank. Then he didn't communicate with you well and you figure the guy is a scoundrel and a thief and you thrash his integrity. I don't know the dealer, but I can understand his reluctance to work with you further.

Perhaps when you cool off you should talk to the guy and both of you could apologize and patch up the relationship. Sounds like a good dealer.
 
   / Minor warranty problem, BEWARE!!!!! #3  
I agree with Dave, he sold you parts/fluid at cost. I am a dealer for 3 brands of construction equipment and if I were in the dealers situation I would have taken the invoice back, corrected it to include the list price for the items and told you you have 30 days to pick up and pay or I will dispose of you equipment for the money owed!
I have dealt with warrany issues and as a dealer you don't really profit from them. If you are lucky you break even figuring time and materials. I will bend over backwards to try and make things right for my customer. But I will also cut him off at the knees if he thinks I am taking advantage of him. I go out of my way to explain my costs/ position.
I must be doing something right because I am turning work away just to keep up with my regular customers. I don't advertise and my business phone is unlisted!
 
   / Minor warranty problem, BEWARE!!!!! #4  
I would have to agree with DavesTractor. Them prices were very good but why does it matter if hes christian or not. Buisness and religion are two things that shouldnt be mixed. I mean look what Jesus did to the money changers.
 
   / Minor warranty problem, BEWARE!!!!!
  • Thread Starter
#5  
I think you missed the point, it's not about the money. It is about how he conducts his business AND that he publicly advertises his Christianity and privately acts totally opposite. They are the same type people that advertise their Christianity just to get more business from people like me. AGAIN, if he would've contacted me to explain what the problem was and then ASKED if I'd authorize the charge we wouldn't be talking about this. As for the plastic tank, I could've repaired the one I had OR bought the tank myself and modified it to be more weather friendly, it's not that difficult guys. Don't worry he doesn't have to worry about me coming back, I'll join the other local guys on this one. Why can't a warranty be just a warranty these days, it's not my fault it's broke so I really don't care how much you make or not make. I mean, I already PAID for that warranty.

Jon
 
   / Minor warranty problem, BEWARE!!!!!
  • Thread Starter
#6  
DavesTractor said:
So the dealer sold you the fluid at cost and the filter at or very near cost and upgraded the power-steering system under warranty, where he really could have just installed another plastic tank. Then he didn't communicate with you well and you figure the guy is a scoundrel and a thief and you thrash his integrity. I don't know the dealer, but I can understand his reluctance to work with you further.

Perhaps when you cool off you should talk to the guy and both of you could apologize and patch up the relationship. Sounds like a good dealer.

Did you even read the part where he NEVER called to verify the charge AND took my mower apart for no reason????? It's not that he didn't communicate WELL, he didn't communicate at all. C'mon, you know you would have a problem with that, can I start doing work on your cars?????

Jon
 
   / Minor warranty problem, BEWARE!!!!! #7  
JM_OBRIEN said:
Did you even read the part where he NEVER called to verify the charge AND took my mower apart for no reason????? It's not that he didn't communicate WELL, he didn't communicate at all. C'mon, you know you would have a problem with that, can I start doing work on your cars?????

Jon

Jon, yes I read your entire post, and I understand your points. I just disagree with most of your conclusion. The part about the mower belts doesn't pass the "smell test". Why would he do that unless perhaps you had mentioned recent trouble with the mower and they misunderstood that you had just fixed it. Or perhaps the new belt was wrong and was fully out to the end of the adjustment? I don't know. And maybe the guy is just a scoundrel. :confused:

In any event, if a business holds itself out as having the upmost integrity and ethics, they probably should have just charged you nothing once they saw you were bent out of shape. They could have apologized and just absorbed their labor and material. One screamer type customer can do a lot of damage, even if most people don't agree with him.

I used to be in the auto repair field and am familiar with the strict guidelines in most states concerning repair estimates, written authorization, auth's for changes and the like when cars are being repaired for either body damage or mechanical. Perhaps you are up to speed on that and for that reason the dealers lax attitude about the charge fired you up? In the auto world, if he didn't get your authorization, you wouldn't owe it, at least here in California.

Most of our customers are our friends. They drop off their tractor and say "fix it", call me if it is real ugly, otherwise just call me when it is done". It almost scares me how much we are trusted, and for that reason we are careful not to ever take advantage of someone.

So Jon, I'm really not arguing with you. If the guy is a crook, so be it, but if not, then you need to lighten up a little and give him a chance. Your call, you are there, we are not.
 
   / Minor warranty problem, BEWARE!!!!! #8  
I notice I am the first non-dealer replying to this post. I agree with Jon that anything touched beyond what you agreed to requires a phone call. Whenever my auto mechanic finds something else wrong, he calls me first to see if I want it fixed. Dave that's BS about the cost crap for the fluid. If it is a factory defect, it should be fixed under warranty and he should not have had to pay for it. I agree the filter should have been charged for if it was ready to be.
 
   / Minor warranty problem, BEWARE!!!!!
  • Thread Starter
#9  
Dave, Thanks for your understanding. I wondered too if I had ever mentioned anything about the mower but I didn't, I had no reason to. The mower was still attached basically because I was too lazy to remove it before loading it on the trailer to bring to the shop. He may have been just having a bad day as my wife says or two he could be used to customers like yours, "just fix it and tell me the damage". I think I'm pretty laid back but not THAT much.

I vented and hopefully made others aware of what I was warned of so for that I'm happy, hopefully I won't have any other issues with this tractor but if I do I hope I can count on you guys for advice. Thanks!

Jon
 
   / Minor warranty problem, BEWARE!!!!! #10  
Yalerider said:
I notice I am the first non-dealer replying to this post. I agree with Jon that anything touched beyond what you agreed to requires a phone call. Whenever my auto mechanic finds something else wrong, he calls me first to see if I want it fixed. Dave that's BS about the cost crap for the fluid. If it is a factory defect, it should be fixed under warranty and he should not have had to pay for it. I agree the filter should have been charged for if it was ready to be.

Yrider,

"BS and crap" you say...I see a theme in your vocabulary:eek: :D :eek: , but I can see your point, but remember all they really owe is to install another plastic tank.

I wouldn't call it a factory defect, more of an improvement in the newer models. If the dealer were to only install a new plastic tank, that would not require draining the entire hydraulics/transmission system, just the little tank. It is good of Branson to do this improvement at no charge to the customer. It takes much longer labor wise than just installing another tank, and most tanks last for years. I suppose the dealer could catch all of your hytrans and just re-use it. Then you would have no charge for the fluid. Would that work for you? They could also cover the hytrans, but they want to share the cost of improvement with the customer a little I guess. You get a better system and fresh fluid, and you only pay for the fluid. Not a bad deal.

It's good to hear from non-dealers, it gives perspective from both angles. I suspect the real issue is proper communication, and the dealer failed in this regard.
 

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