Just remember. PT, like any company, needs enough revenue to stay profitable and in business. If they don't make it on parts than they will have to jack up the price of their tractors or go out of business. I don't like either of those scenarios. And I don't want to go back to an ag type tractor.
I agree. I know it is frustrating to pay what seems to be exorbitant prices and it is only being fiscally responsible to yourself to find the best bang for your buck. Some companies are in the business of selling their product and not in the business of servicing them. That is their business model, they know their customers get their repair and maintenance parts elsewhere and they accept that. Just be glad it isn't like this:
A company that we buy machines from has a habit of contracting out with their suppliers to make proprietary parts. That is, they request a run of, say, small motors, with a unique part number and enter an agreement with the supplier that states the supplier cannot sell that part to anyone without signing a licensing agreement from the original company. And if they get that licensing agreement signed, they have to buy a minimum of 50 of the parts.
If Power Trac would start doing that, we would be in deep doo-doo. As it currently is, you can find parts elsewhere if you look hard enough. Just don't call the factory and give them a piece of your mind that you did that, or they will lock it down tighter for future owners.
You all also have to look at it this way...
Power Trac buys parts off the shelf that you can buy off the shelf, too (if you know the manufacturer and part #). How much of a markup should they charge you to buy that part and re-sell it to you? What is fair? When I worked in wholesale, we would buy something for $10.00 and sell it to a retailer for $20.00. They would sell it to the customer for $40.00. There used to be a dividing line between wholesale and retail. That line is getting blurred more and more as manufacturers start selling retail in addition to wholesale. The manufacturers are competing directly with the retailers. What is the incentive to sell retail when your supplier will undercut you to your own customers? So, Power Trac attempts to protect their product by not telling their customers who their suppliers are. I understand that completely and have no problem with that. I doubt they would have a problem with a customer finding another place to buy parts, as long as they are not malicious about it.
So, just be careful what you wish for. It may come back to bite you in the butt. :dance1:
