My letter to Kioti, loader rerepair, long

Highbeam · May 21, 2006

I will take some time tomorrow and reply to many of your thoughtful and helpful responses. Let me answer this one right now.

I was first asked by the dealer to call their Kioti contact, that Kioti should hear the customer's feelings. I asked if Kioti had seen pictures of the original cracks or of their repair. No was the answer. I know that a picture is worth a thousand words and in this case a million so I asked the dealer about sending an email letter with pictures and he started cranking out email addys for me.

I hadn't thought much of the fact that pictures hadn't been sent to Kioti. Now I am starting to understand that this may show how crooked this whole deal is getting. I am starting to question the integrity of the dealer more than ever.

One of the big reasons I brought this problem to TBN was for some very practical advice on my situation. I am happy to get advice through PM or on the thread. There is a lot about warranty work that I as a consumer don't know but am being forced to learn through this dispute. I have had warrantys on trucks and things are taken care of without me going to GM for example.

This is not a game to me, I do not enjoy being in the middle of a dispute. I would really like it all to be over so that I could get back to enjoying my tractor.

Highbeam · May 21, 2006

I will take some time tomorrow and reply to many of your thoughtful and helpful responses. Let me answer this one right now.

I was first asked by the dealer to call their Kioti contact, that Kioti should hear the customer's feelings. I asked if Kioti had seen pictures of the original cracks or of their repair. No was the answer. I know that a picture is worth a thousand words and in this case a million so I asked the dealer about sending an email letter with pictures and he started cranking out email addys for me.

I hadn't thought much of the fact that pictures hadn't been sent to Kioti. Now I am starting to understand that this may show how crooked this whole deal is getting. I am starting to question the integrity of the dealer more than ever.

One of the big reasons I brought this problem to TBN was for some very practical advice on my situation. I am happy to get advice through PM or on the thread. There is a lot about warranty work that I as a consumer don't know but am being forced to learn through this dispute. I have had warrantys on trucks and things are taken care of without me going to GM for example.

This is not a game to me, I do not enjoy being in the middle of a dispute. I would really like it all to be over so that I could get back to enjoying my tractor.

KiotiJohn · May 21, 2006

( This is not a game to me, I do not enjoy being in the middle of a dispute. I would really like it all to be over so that I could get back to enjoying my tractor. )

I don't think anyone here thinks it's a game for you. I think we all hope for you to get things repaired the right way, and get back to "enjoying my tractor."

It's a shame that you have been put in this situation. Dealer can be everything. I think it unconscienable that pictures were never sent to Kioti regarding this problem. How else would they have been able to decide what to do about the situation without seeing the extent of the damge? That is clearly, to me, a dealer failure.

Kioti keeps files of pictures of work done on their equipment, I've seen some of them, so I know they want them.

Good luck, and here's hoping for a faster resolution.
John

KiotiJohn · May 21, 2006

( This is not a game to me, I do not enjoy being in the middle of a dispute. I would really like it all to be over so that I could get back to enjoying my tractor. )

I don't think anyone here thinks it's a game for you. I think we all hope for you to get things repaired the right way, and get back to "enjoying my tractor."

It's a shame that you have been put in this situation. Dealer can be everything. I think it unconscienable that pictures were never sent to Kioti regarding this problem. How else would they have been able to decide what to do about the situation without seeing the extent of the damge? That is clearly, to me, a dealer failure.

Kioti keeps files of pictures of work done on their equipment, I've seen some of them, so I know they want them.

Good luck, and here's hoping for a faster resolution.
John

IslandTractor · May 21, 2006

I think it unconscienable that pictures were never sent to Kioti regarding this problem. 

I find it unbelieveable that Kioti has not bothered to look at the photos that Highbeam loaded on to TBN months ago. Kioti is fully aware of this forum and it would be hard to believe that this is the first they are learning of Highbeams problem or the fact that there are a bunch of PO'd Kioti owners watching over his shoulder. If Kioti truly has not seen these photos then the customer service VP, public relations VP and the engineering VP should be either canned or called on the carpet. I believe Kioti has seen the photos already which is even more annoying as it means they are pulling a "Pinto" corporate response to the problem.

Why am I pissed? Because we could all be in the same situation. I have spoken to one dealer who admits to having repaired several of these loaders (properly, not a hatchet job). Those loaders have not been reported on TBN. I've just discovered that my own loader has cracks in all four corners after 70hrs (just in case anyone with a KL120 thinks they are immune, see attached photo of one corner). I'm now trying to figure out how to fix it myself as it will cost me more than the cost of a new welder just to get my tractor off the island to the dealer and back. I'd like to believe there is a reasonable well documented repair and that the radius pieces necessary to prevent further cracking would be made available for installation into loaders as a preventative retrofit, not just after cracking occurs. Where is the Kioti service notice on this problem and why did Highbeam's dealer not follow it (if it exists).

In my opinion Kioti is just plain stupid if they allow this situation to continue. As others have pointed out, this is the era of the WWW. Kioti has benefited handsomely from TBN publicity. Highbeam and I are only two of many Kioti owners who would never have considered the brand were it not for good publicity on TBN. That situation can change easily if Kioti continues to keep its head in the sand and pretend this issue will go away. Kioti has a fine tractor to sell, they better start acting like it is a product worth backing up.

IslandTractor · May 21, 2006

I think it unconscienable that pictures were never sent to Kioti regarding this problem. 

I find it unbelieveable that Kioti has not bothered to look at the photos that Highbeam loaded on to TBN months ago. Kioti is fully aware of this forum and it would be hard to believe that this is the first they are learning of Highbeams problem or the fact that there are a bunch of PO'd Kioti owners watching over his shoulder. If Kioti truly has not seen these photos then the customer service VP, public relations VP and the engineering VP should be either canned or called on the carpet. I believe Kioti has seen the photos already which is even more annoying as it means they are pulling a "Pinto" corporate response to the problem.

Why am I pissed? Because we could all be in the same situation. I have spoken to one dealer who admits to having repaired several of these loaders (properly, not a hatchet job). Those loaders have not been reported on TBN. I've just discovered that my own loader has cracks in all four corners after 70hrs (just in case anyone with a KL120 thinks they are immune, see attached photo of one corner). I'm now trying to figure out how to fix it myself as it will cost me more than the cost of a new welder just to get my tractor off the island to the dealer and back. I'd like to believe there is a reasonable well documented repair and that the radius pieces necessary to prevent further cracking would be made available for installation into loaders as a preventative retrofit, not just after cracking occurs. Where is the Kioti service notice on this problem and why did Highbeam's dealer not follow it (if it exists).

In my opinion Kioti is just plain stupid if they allow this situation to continue. As others have pointed out, this is the era of the WWW. Kioti has benefited handsomely from TBN publicity. Highbeam and I are only two of many Kioti owners who would never have considered the brand were it not for good publicity on TBN. That situation can change easily if Kioti continues to keep its head in the sand and pretend this issue will go away. Kioti has a fine tractor to sell, they better start acting like it is a product worth backing up.

KiotiJohn · May 21, 2006

Let's be fair here. TBN is not in the Kioti network of dealers, and the usernames are not even the names in which the tractors were sold. It is not the job of anyone at Kioti to monitor this forum, although I know that some in the service department do monitor the forum when they can.

With all the dealers they have to deal with, this forum is of minor importance day-to-day.

Maybe they have seen the pictures that were posted before, but Joe's dealer did not send any pictures to service at Kioti and we don't know if they even know who Highbeam is on here!

Give them a chance to respond now that Joe has contacted them. That is the only fair thing to do.

I still say Joe's dealer did not only botch the repair, but the whole shebang, and has left him with a very bitter taste in his mouth.

Let's use the forum in a responsible way and only attack when we're sure nothing will be done to satisfy Joe's problem and any others who may want repairs done.

Someone had posted that a good welder/fabricator would have done an excellent repair on that. What a shame it's so true, and didn't get done.

I'd rather have a good repaired one than an equal replacement that may not have been modified not to break again.

John

KiotiJohn · May 21, 2006

Let's be fair here. TBN is not in the Kioti network of dealers, and the usernames are not even the names in which the tractors were sold. It is not the job of anyone at Kioti to monitor this forum, although I know that some in the service department do monitor the forum when they can.

With all the dealers they have to deal with, this forum is of minor importance day-to-day.

Maybe they have seen the pictures that were posted before, but Joe's dealer did not send any pictures to service at Kioti and we don't know if they even know who Highbeam is on here!

Give them a chance to respond now that Joe has contacted them. That is the only fair thing to do.

I still say Joe's dealer did not only botch the repair, but the whole shebang, and has left him with a very bitter taste in his mouth.

Let's use the forum in a responsible way and only attack when we're sure nothing will be done to satisfy Joe's problem and any others who may want repairs done.

Someone had posted that a good welder/fabricator would have done an excellent repair on that. What a shame it's so true, and didn't get done.

I'd rather have a good repaired one than an equal replacement that may not have been modified not to break again.

John

MotorSeven · May 21, 2006

"I'd rather have a good repaired one than an equal replacement that may not have been modified not to break again."

My thoughts exactly, and HB in the beginning was all for a repair. Nobody woud have thought that the dealer would have scabbed on angle for the fix.
I was also suprised when i read that the pics had never frowarded or requested. In this day and age of the dreaded "L" word you would think that the dealer would have documented everything and notified Kioti to cover his own butt. Meanwhile, HB is out there listening to the criketts insead of a 30hp diesel.
HB, i think i would leave the dealer out of the loop, and send the letter/pics certified mail to Kioti corporate. I'm just thinking that your dealer may be dragging his feet to keep himself out of the limelight.

RD

MotorSeven · May 21, 2006

"I'd rather have a good repaired one than an equal replacement that may not have been modified not to break again."

My thoughts exactly, and HB in the beginning was all for a repair. Nobody woud have thought that the dealer would have scabbed on angle for the fix.
I was also suprised when i read that the pics had never frowarded or requested. In this day and age of the dreaded "L" word you would think that the dealer would have documented everything and notified Kioti to cover his own butt. Meanwhile, HB is out there listening to the criketts insead of a 30hp diesel.
HB, i think i would leave the dealer out of the loop, and send the letter/pics certified mail to Kioti corporate. I'm just thinking that your dealer may be dragging his feet to keep himself out of the limelight.

RD