RK Tractors and the average person

[prof fate]

I have 20 some years in powersports and auto dealerships.
Locally a dealership chain is advertising for technicians - $50k to 140k pay, benefits, a/c garages, tool box, sign on bonus. it's hard to get GOOD techs - and a GOOD tech can make 80k working on cars...why work on tractors for a lot less?

Diesel truck mechanics are also in short supply around here.

And as you stated, RK service isn't busy - been there done that places. Nobody can afford to pay $20-30/hour for a trained tech to stand around..or pay 40 hours for 10 hours work. So they'll keep them busy doing something else..and a tech does NOT want to stock shelves or sell chainsaws.

the only feasible solution is a 'roving' tech or regional tech that moves about, store to store or similar. But as you've point out, parts are an issue (and knowledge of them as well). I see about 6 or 7 RK tractor stores within 100 mile radius of me - so I'm suspecting that's what they do. Maybe next time I'm in the store I'll ask about service - oil changes, warranty, etc and report back.

I can go to a deere, kubota, kioti dealer and get support - parts, tech, pickup of my tractor for repair - and those techs are busy...so they're full time techs, not part time techs and part time stock boys.

This will change over time perhaps.

Home Depot/Lowes sell a lot of powered units - tractors, mowers, blowers, etc. Service? Nope.

Yes but more concerning to me though when we are talking about a retail store. In a typical service environment there is enough work coming and going to lean and a team where the techs can learn from each others experiences or point out that your a turd and need to move on. Just being honest with myself as I was when I decided to purchase anyway. How much are they going to invest in what may be 1 guy at each store and how much related work will he get to keep him good/current and stay. It can't be easy. I think they either wont be able to pay what I would define as an experienced tech and/or the experienced tech doesnt stay from lack of work and wants to stay current and employable. These are just my opinions which I had going in when I made the decision to purchase anyway. Thus far my experiences have most definately aligned with my thinking.

 

[RK Tractor Guy]

When our customers let us know that their tractor needs to be repaired, we repair it. Don’t know how else one can measure tractor repair in any more meaningful way. If we were not, the INTERNET would be blowing up with unhappy customers with broken tractors.

It takes time to build efficiencies into that process as we transform from small engine to tractor service at our tractor locations. The guy that leads RK Service came to us from a very large Deere dealership group. He has a plan and he is working his plan. Putting all of the pieces together will take time and investment, and are getting stronger each day. We have mobile techs, service trucks, technology, parts, process and the resources to make all of the needed investments.

Our company doesn’t have “big wigs” or “bean counters.” This is a 60-year old family and employee owned company filled with people that have lived the farming and rural lifestyle their whole lives.

Some can call us big box, medium box, small box, any box you want to use. RK Tractors is being built to become a strong and successful tractor company. Service is actually where our planning started from, no one is ignoring it as it is the key to long term success.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Do you have deep enough pockets that you could make something right, if you screwed up big time?

 

[joecoin]

...and Rk has 'failed' at selling tractors twice in the past. Are we skeptics? Yep, many of us are. Get burned a few times and you become one...


Also consider that Rk has no 'history' (ala deere) - ...

... . I bought a kioti and folks question is - and they've been selling in the US for over a quarter century. RK is what, a year now?

And I'm not knocking the tractors, their quality. the claim they are the lowest priced..yes, I know that not to be true.
Great service and support? I don't see it IN the stores, ... Time will tell. I shop at your store often (1-2 times a month) and rarely see the same employees for more than a couple of months. When I ask about something I don't get a confident answer. When I order from your website "in store" it's not there and you won't or can't order it - yet you list it for sale.

I see low price as your MAIN selling point - not service, not quality. Price. And with low price i've found lesser quality and lesser service. ..

Wow dude, if I felt this way about a business, any business, I would never deal with them. Let alone shop there "1-2 times a month".

Are you some kind of *********?

 

[RK Tractor Guy]

Do you have deep enough pockets that you could make something right, if you screwed up big time?

Do you have an issue with your tractor?

 

[chesternator]

Wow dude, if I felt this way about a business, any business, I would never deal with them. Let alone shop there "1-2 times a month".

Are you some kind of *********?

We have to shop somewhere. I shop RK probably 4-8 times a month. They have great stuff. I know better to not ask any questions and I'm prepared to wait in line. At least my store has the worst cashiers of any store I have ever seen. I've had similar observations with staff. I now refuse to let them order/backorder/layaway anything unless is RK Tractor related. I will and have gone down the road and let another store pricematch and order with confidence. I went weeks on multiple items each week was something different. I drew the line after multiple promises to hold the items never getting a call and finding some of it in stock on the shelf. Weeks later finding some stuff was never put through. I got a refund and will never go through that again. Their system is a mess and I honestly dont know if I got all my money back.

 

[cvestes]

fried1765, good luck to you in all your endeavors.

 

[prof fate]

Got a battery for my mower - $12. Everywhere else $35-50.
Mostly get chicken feed, sometimes horse feed. I like their scratch grains - and the price. Horse feed - buy 5 get 6th free, and each bag is $1 less than TSC or agway.
Bought some t-post there - 10c cheaper than TSC, same item.
Got some driveway patch and sealer - agian, lots cheaper than anywhere else.
Got a shelving unit to start seeds - not good for anything else. 5 shelves 150lb TOTAL weight limit. $28
got an led shoplight, love it (for the chicken coop). $15.

Got chickens and turkeys there in the spring...not a great experience. breeds were wrong on some of the chickens, 1/3 of hte turkey's died, and yes, they'll replace them (no refunds!) but cna't do that if they don't have more to replace them with...

How they can be SO much cheaper than EVERYONE else and stay around long term...we'll see. Or maybe prices will go up when the competition folds.

Wow dude, if I felt this way about a business, any business, I would never deal with them. Let alone shop there "1-2 times a month".

Are you some kind of *********?

 

[fried1765]

fried1765, good luck to you in all your endeavors.

Thanks ..... for the second dose of sarcasm!

 

[ovrszd]

Let's just clear the air....

Is it a requirement to own an RK tractor to post on this thread?