Buying Advice New tractor purchase.

[Gasifier]

I gave this suggestion weeks ago and learned that Gassifer does not have any documentation to back up his claim.

I suggested he start doing things the official way and get work orders with all the info on it every time the dealer touches the tractor.

Upon following both his threads on this, even after meeting with the rep today, he does not have a single work order copy that has his info and complaints on it.

He would have to find a very hungry lawyer to start a case with no documation whatsoever.

I mean no disrespect to Gassifer. It is just frustrating as a reader to hear what he is going through and know that the dealer is not even giving the man a receipt of work being done.
Gassifer likes the dealer, but to me the dealer is taking advantage of that "like"

So I spoke to the mechanic when he took my tractor to fix the transmission problem several weeks ago. I told him I needed receipts or records for each time my tractor was worked on or fixed. He said that was no problem he could pull it up out of the Mahindra database and mail them to me. I never got them.

I then learned from Mahindra corporate that they only see two things in the warranty database. I said 2? They have fixed it like 6 times at least. So Mahindra corporate talked with them about that and dealer told them they didn’t get them all in yet.

And I would have thought that this thing with records and receipts would be the responsibility of the dealer. Not the customer having to ask or beg for them. But there I go thinking again.

 

[sixdogs]

Was the dealer at the meeting with the rep?

 

[Gasifier]

Was the dealer at the meeting with the rep?

No. He told me he wouldn’t be there.

 

[sixdogs]

You're too nice of a guy. Bite onto that regional's pant leg and don't let go till you get what you want. You aren't going to get compensated for lost time but I'd go for a new tractor if they can't fix the old one soon. If he says the old one's fine tell him you both know otherwise and to stop it. If it's fine, tell him to sell it and you guys are only out a little instead of a lot for a manufacturing or design error.

Next time he's close to you, get his cell phone number and call it to make sure it works. Then he can't avoid you. This is a business deal and you want what you paid for. Don't say it but he has a moral and legal obligation to give you that. Persistence pays off and the squeaky wheel gets the grease. He wants to do the least possible to get rid of you so don't settle and eventually he will. Oh, the dealer is nice but should have been at that meeting. Good thing I believe in coincidences.

I speak from experience here, having been a trusting soul--and still am--but now I know what not to do in these situations. I did win. You sound like a great guy so keep it that way for the family but win for all of us here rooting for you. And...this is just free advice here so do what is best for you.

 

[DieselBound]

Like I'd mentioned, one needs to set parameters. There needs to be a drop-dead deadline and agreed upon conditionals. OP didn't buy the tractor to be a guinea pig, he shouldn't be expected to be one. If the factory really wants to figure out what the issue is then they should buy it back (or replace it) so THEY can spend all the time they need to figure it out. I'm ALL for being cooperative, but there need to be well-defined parameters/expectations: the factory, and a dealer, wouldn't allow open-ended perks; why should a customer be subject to open-ended resolutions?

I'm not thinking that I'm all that impressed with Mahindra's troubleshooting expertise.

 

[jb1390]

Like I'd mentioned, one needs to set parameters. There needs to be a drop-dead deadline and agreed upon conditionals. OP didn't buy the tractor to be a guinea pig, he shouldn't be expected to be one. If the factory really wants to figure out what the issue is then they should buy it back (or replace it) so THEY can spend all the time they need to figure it out. I'm ALL for being cooperative, but there need to be well-defined parameters/expectations: the factory, and a dealer, wouldn't allow open-ended perks; why should a customer be subject to open-ended resolutions?

I'm not thinking that I'm all that impressed with Mahindra's troubleshooting expertise.

I think Mahindra hasn't been aware of these issues until recently. If the dealer hasn't bothered to enter all the information about what has been fixed, how would Mahindra know? The experience that I had with Mahindra and my dealer seems a bit different than Gasifiers. My dealer quickly provided me with official repair documentation that they had kept throughout the lifetime of the tractor. They even had work orders for the power loss issue when no repair was made - they simply reset the light to make it run correctly in the short term. They also recorded a bunch of data to send to Mahindra to try to help them develop a fix - all this despite the dealer being relatively small.

The parameters for buyback are already set by industry. After 3 failed attempts within a "reasonable" time frame they are required to buy back the machine. However, with no paperwork there is no evidence of failed repair attempts.

I'm also surprised/disappointed by the rep's reaction to the power loss. A good tech would want to hook it up to a computer, and force it to lose power while recording the data. That is the only way that you get any insight into what the engine and electronics are doing. Since Gasifier was able to get it to fail at the dealer - with Mahindra diagnoistic equipment there - it would have been the perfect opportunity to at least perform some diagnostics. Even if it is just firmware, how are the programmers supposed to figure out what to change with no data?

 

[DieselBound]

jb1390,, exactly. I don't think that these folks are good at troubleshooting. A "fix" requires there to be an understanding of what's really going on, which means that data needs to be captured. They're failing in the basics here.

 

[wagne223]

So I spoke to the mechanic when he took my tractor to fix the transmission problem several weeks ago. I told him I needed receipts or records for each time my tractor was worked on or fixed. He said that was no problem he could pull it up out of the Mahindra database and mail them to me. I never got them.

I then learned from Mahindra corporate that they only see two things in the warranty database. I said 2? They have fixed it like 6 times at least. So Mahindra corporate talked with them about that and dealer told them they didn’t get them all in yet.

And I would have thought that this thing with records and receipts would be the responsibility of the dealer. Not the customer having to ask or beg for them. But there I go thinking again.

You are correct, records and receipts are the dealers responsibly.
You should not even have to ask.
Every time they touch your tractor they should give you a copy of the work order.
It is standard operating procedure.

All you should be doing is saving them.

That is why I feel they are taking advantage of your kindness and patience.

 

[ShelleyWeals]

My brother does not think too much about buying and he just went to see it directly and compare to others. Then buy it easily...

 

[bspeedy]

You're too nice of a guy. Bite onto that regional's pant leg and don't let go till you get what you want. You aren't going to get compensated for lost time but I'd go for a new tractor if they can't fix the old one soon. If he says the old one's fine tell him you both know otherwise and to stop it. If it's fine, tell him to sell it and you guys are only out a little instead of a lot for a manufacturing or design error.

Next time he's close to you, get his cell phone number and call it to make sure it works. Then he can't avoid you. This is a business deal and you want what you paid for. Don't say it but he has a moral and legal obligation to give you that. Persistence pays off and the squeaky wheel gets the grease. He wants to do the least possible to get rid of you so don't settle and eventually he will. Oh, the dealer is nice but should have been at that meeting. Good thing I believe in coincidences.

I speak from experience here, having been a trusting soul--and still am--but now I know what not to do in these situations. I did win. You sound like a great guy so keep it that way for the family but win for all of us here rooting for you. And...this is just free advice here so do what is best for you.

Seriously. You're being way too accommodating to these clowns.

Here's the thing - people will ALWAYS take the easiest route - ALWAYS. You have made the route of putting you off the easiest route for the dealer / regional rep. You have to make that the most difficult route for them. And you have to make giving you a new tractor (or your money back) the easiest thing for them to do because they are JUST SO TIRED OF DEALING WITH YOU. Or maybe they're scared of your attorney. Or maybe they don't like the way this thread looks to the general public (hint, hint).

Keep being polite. Stop being nice. Be the most polite, professional jerk they've ever met. It works. So well, in fact, that I've made it a bit of a sport in situations like this...

Side note - PLEASE sit down and write a log of trips to the dealership, phone calls, discussions. promises, etc. Dates, times, tractor hours, etc. Show this to the regional rep. He needs to know the pain you've felt.

 

[sixdogs]

One thing that concerns me is the dealer not writing things down or providing proof of service. That is not a common practice so there could be is something going on that we don't know about that he might. Smells fishy until proven otherwise.

I had repeated problems with a new small truck I bought two years ago and took it back multiple times to have it worked on. One time I sent the wife in and she returned without a copy of a work order and my warranty is close to expiring. It was for a recurring problem. Took quite an effort over the phone to get a work order copy to us and he sure seemed like he didn't want to do it. That's when I knew I was in trouble and traded the truck. Got a great price and it's still on the dealer's lot unsold.

In retrospect, I believe it was dealer or mechanic incompetence because others I have spoken with knew what I was talking about and knew of fixes that had worked. I no longer care because it's not my problem now. That's life.

 

[Gasifier]

Well the Mahindra representative is gone, of course. I stopped by the dealer location today that has my tractor. They are still working on it. I was told by an employee their that they have gone around and around with that Mahindra. Next try is a new ignition switch to see if it has a short in it. If the area service representative was that good of a mechanic would the local mechanic(s) still be trying to figure it out? And he’s gone.

I would say that a complete loss off engine power anytime you try to do anything with it that involves hydraulics would be a huge failure with a new tractor. (Only 260 hours on a 2017) And the problem has been repeated umpteen times now. And they haven’t been able to solve it. This is their fourth time, and the days just keep adding up that I have no tractor. The third time was local mechanic and area service representative both fixing it. Then it fails when I use it right in front of area representative. Talk about frustration for a tractor owner.
I am amazed, just amazed and stunned, sitting here knowing that I spent this amount of money on an entire tractor, loader, backhoe and implements package deal on what Mahindra calls their “premium” tractor in this size. I can’t use any of it if the tractor doesn’t work.

And no one. Not Mahindra. Not my dealer. Is stepping up and doing the right thing here. It apparently is acceptable to them that I sit here and wait longer until they fix my tractor. After all I have been through.

This is how my dealer treats me.

This is how Mahindra treats me.

At what point does either the dealer or Mahindra do what is right? It looks to me like that is not on their agenda anytime soon. Wouldn’t it be right, by now, to offer me a new tractor. Are they really going to make me go through legal litigation in order to get a tractor that works?

I just find this despicable!

 

[s219]

This really sucks. Not good for Mahindra's reputation here on TBN, that's for sure. I would get in touch with a lawyer at this point.

 

[mike69440]

This really sucks. Not good for Mahindra's reputation here on TBN, that's for sure. I would get in touch with a lawyer at this point.

A lawyer will cost you money, but a "good" lawyer will provide you the satisfaction of coming out of all of this with some self feeling of vindication, not to mention a bit of revenge at this point. Help the lawyer with documentation and facts. Document all history.

 

[Gasifier]

The lawyer comes next if they don’t give me my money back, quick like. Tractor fixed or not.

 

[NBKubota]

Is there anyone higher than the area rep that you can escalate to?

Been somewhat following your trials and tribulations here, seems to me you've been more than patient. Any common sense now would at the VERY least see you in a new tractor. Anything else I think would be unacceptable.

Keep us posted!

 

[sixdogs]

Start educating yourself on options. Does the state have a lemon law? Can you prove you took the tractor in and what was done? )This thread may help with that). Find out if you have a lemon law.

With that education, call the regional rep back and say you were here, you saw and you fixed my tractor that failed 15 minutes later while we both watched and it's far from the first time. This is the (insert number of times) time it has been in the shop, the XXX time it has been guaranteed fixed and no one knows what to do. I'm at wits end because I bought the best you had to offer, bought the premium package that was guaranteed to work for me and it's been in the shop repeatedly and for the same issues. I want a tractor that works and I can't wait any longer. What are you going to do about this for me?

His answer will likely wobble --if he takes your call--so tell him what you want. If it's a replacement tractor, say so. He will likely refuse but do not threaten. Then if you want, go see a lawyer.

Often, the customer saying he's a the end of the line with something is an unspoken threat and speaking threats is never good. Just free advice from me as a been there and done that perspective.

Lots of good advice and commentary in this thread. Read it again.

 

[wagne223]

A lawyer will cost you money, but a "good" lawyer will provide you the satisfaction of coming out of all of this with some self feeling of vindication, not to mention a bit of revenge at this point. Help the lawyer with documentation and facts. Document all history.

He has no documentation. Nothing.
Weeks ago, I politely explained that they should not touch his tractor without a signed work order.

He has talked to the dealer, mechanic, and the Rep and still not one document to connect his tractor to all these issues.

It is frustrating as a reader and participant because we are all trying to help but he does not seem to want to help himself.

 

[Gasifier]

He has no documentation. Nothing.
Weeks ago, I politely explained that they should not touch his tractor without a signed work order.

He has talked to the dealer, mechanic, and the Rep and still not one document to connect his tractor to all these issues.

It is frustrating as a reader and participant because we are all trying to help but he does not seem to want to help himself.

I have asked for documentation from the mechanic. He said no problem. And they have not given it. Including yesterday, again. They said the person who knows how to do that is out sick. I said I will return tomorrow. Can you make sure someone has it ready for me. Yes. I called them today before going over. She said the guy is out sick and they hope he is back in by the end of the week. They still have my tractor. Two weeks now.

I can’t force them to give it to me.

 

[Gasifier]

Start educating yourself on options. Does the state have a lemon law? Can you prove you took the tractor in and what was done? )This thread may help with that). Find out if you have a lemon law.

With that education, call the regional rep back and say you were here, you saw and you fixed my tractor that failed 15 minutes later while we both watched and it's far from the first time. This is the (insert number of times) time it has been in the shop, the XXX time it has been guaranteed fixed and no one knows what to do. I'm at wits end because I bought the best you had to offer, bought the premium package that was guaranteed to work for me and it's been in the shop repeatedly and for the same issues. I want a tractor that works and I can't wait any longer. What are you going to do about this for me?

His answer will likely wobble --if he takes your call--so tell him what you want. If it's a replacement tractor, say so. He will likely refuse but do not threaten. Then if you want, go see a lawyer.

Often, the customer saying he's a the end of the line with something is an unspoken threat and speaking threats is never good. Just free advice from me as a been there and done that perspective.

Lots of good advice and commentary in this thread. Read it again.

The lemon law does not apply to tractors. However I have done a little research and don’t know if I should share that. But the federal consumer protection act basically says the warranty is a promise to FIX the product, not just keep working on it and trying whatever to fix it. Which is what seems to be happening now.

The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act is a Federal lemon law that basically says they have to fix it in a “reasonable number of attempts”. So the question will be what is “reasonable” with this latest debilitating problem of power loss. And do all the other attempts to fix the other things like the steering and transmission problems count towards that? I am no lawyer. Just an average Joe trying to get some work done with a very expensive piece of equipment I bought. So I guess I’ll have to let the lawyer figure this out. It’s very unfortunate. I have never, ever retained a lawyer for anything but closing on a piece of property. Very unfortunate.