Shouldn't Manufactures be Members?

thcri · May 7, 2005

Shouldn\'t Manufactures be Members?

I was reading through some of the posts in regards to people getting their new tractors. And it didn't really make any difference what color or brand they all had their delivery problems. Wheels on backwards, lug nuts loose, hydraulics leaking, loose wires and the list can go on. I think if I was a manufacture I would have a person take an hour a day and just see what us TBN'ers are saying about their product. I know we have dealers but I am not so sure any Corporate people are here. Some of the things I read are to me actually embarrasing. The one with the tire on backwards really hit me. Now this one more than likely is not a manufacture problem but more than likely a dealer problem but to me it should not have happened. So my question is should manufactures be members.

murph

firtol88 · May 7, 2005

Re: Shouldn\'t Manufactures be Members?

They would likely gain some usefull information. Problem is they would just as likely provide a fair bit of misinformation...

beenthere · May 8, 2005

Re: Shouldn\'t Manufactures be Members?

A lot of forum 'readers' are not members.
What is your clue that the manufacturer's and Corporate types are not readers here?
I suspect a lot goes on behind the scenes that we know nothing about. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

JerryG · May 8, 2005

Re: Shouldn\'t Manufactures be Members?

I know for a fact that this site is monitored.

KiotiJohn · May 8, 2005

Re: Shouldn\'t Manufactures be Members?

I, too, know that someone from the service department reads the forum. He's always known beforehand what I'm calling about.
Often times, they've started working on a fix for something I call about before I've ever called (Kioti).
John

Cactus · May 8, 2005

Re: Shouldn\'t Manufactures be Members?

( I think if I was a manufacture I would have a person take an hour a day and just see what us TBN'ers are saying about their product. )

I am sure there are a lot of people here that are probably in corporate positions that browse. They are not going to handle issues here. They have corporate policies on discussing problem resolving etc an discussing them on an open forum is not policy I would imagine. I am sure there are probably corporate people that digest what they see here and discuss it behind the scenes. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

_RaT_ · May 8, 2005

Re: Shouldn\'t Manufactures be Members?

Murph, one of my local dealers mentioned to me one day that he is having a terrible time getting qualified mechanics to work on tractors, seems no one wants to do this stuff anymore and those that do, go to the auto industry where training on higher tech equipment and consequently a commensurate pay increase are typically the norm. Here I was just a tractor shopper at his place and he asked me if I could come in on weekends and assemble the crated tractors for me. He would have even sold me my Kubota crated he was that out of labor to help. Point is, I'm sure that many of these places would love better help, but thats what we are seeing all across the country. To get better help requires more pay and now adays, benefits better be part of the package or folks aren't interested. It's become a vicious circle with no end in site.

On the other hand, my local Kubota/JD dealer has absolutely the sharpest mechanics I've seen. Their all family or friends of family.

Glenn9643 · May 8, 2005

Re: Shouldn\'t Manufactures be Members?

A year or two ago I met a guy at my dealer's "grand opening" for his new building and it turned out he was the General Marketing Manager of MF Compact Tractors. During our lengthy conversation I brought up TBN and he was familiar with it. He indicated that he visits the site regularly, but I don't know if it's on his daily schedule.

Bird · May 8, 2005

Re: Shouldn\'t Manufactures be Members?

( getting qualified mechanics to work on tractors )

Just as with cars, modern tractors have gotten more complicated. I have no idea how hard it is to find qualified mechanics in my area, and while I know nothing about the program, I do know that the Navarro Junior College in Corsicana, TX, in conjunction with John Deere, has a tractor mechanic program to train tractor mechanics.

Kyle_in_Tex · May 8, 2005

Re: Shouldn\'t Manufactures be Members?

I wish there was a way to "label" members that have any monetary affiliation with any brand so that it could be determined if their opinions are biased.

I appreciate the opinions of most of the pro's on this board. They definitely are welcome and some have a tremendous amount of knowledge. But some are obviously biased. Knowing this affiliation could keep an "eyebrow raised" as to just what type of products are recommended etc...