They wont leave will enough alone:

[exiled]

Some farmers that brang their grain to where I work have came pretty good friends of mine. They seem to respect my opinion and everybody knows I've been trying to buy a tractor. So naturaully when the deed was done the news hit the country side. Some of my friends trade with Tri-Green just because its John Deere. They buy everything there even though they know they can get the same hydralic hose down the street for a 3rd less. Some of this has changed after how they treated me, and a very good friend flat out called the manger and told him he did'nt like what he heard and would'nt be trading with them any more. This guy has dropped $200,000 every fews years for a while on them. He spends like $30,000 a year on maintance, blades, and verious machinary. All at the same place. Neatless to say my phone has been ringing off the hook.I've been busy loading barges so I'm not real avaible. I've talked to 3 people this week from Tri-Green HQ plus the store manger. They all demanding me to let them make this right. The manger has begged me to let him come service the tractor on him. Everything they offer I tell them no. I dont want anything I have'nt paided for. I've told everybody I've talked to this week from Tri-Green I'm over it. I'm just not doing any more busness with them. I thought I have made myself pretty dang clear. Then I get home see 7 missed calls all from Tri-Green. 2 messages sumed up as to they want to service the tractor plus treat it and the loader to "DakotaShine" to make it look like it was new. and give me 2 years of warranty. The manger left his home number asking for me to call. All he wanted to say was he valued my busness and wants to keep it. I insisted he does not want my busness that much was showed in how serious they took me when they sent me on my way with a tractor that still had work grim on it. When I asked about the service he himself pretty much said I got what you'd expect from buying a used tractor.
I know this is getting long winded, but my wife is starting to nip at my heels. She's saying I'm being unreasonable about all this. I should take the offerings and run. I dont feel that way. How about yall? As far as I'm concerned I gave them way to many chances to earn my busness. 3 times in one week in fact. I dont want to be taken serious just because someone with alot of clout complains. I want to earn my own way thru my own hard work. For what ever the reason they did'nt think I was inportant enough before, I dont care what they think now cause they are'nt the only ones that sell AG-equiment. I will not trade with them again. You can say they did'nt earn my busness. "Get me once shame on you, Get me twice shame on me". Theres only one way I know how to keep from getting burnt twice.

 

[ScottK]

You earned it because you complained to the right people - their other customers. They will always treat you right now. I think you should take everything they offer. It is not free - they caused you a lot of grief and they owe you.

I've been in your spot dealing with a home builder sales person only worse - they tried to sell my house to someone else. In the end I got the house and a substantial discount.

Generally a complaint along with a request for what it will take to make it right is the proper ettiquette when you're unhappy with a company. Since you haven't told them what you want, they're throwing it at you because it is costing them lots of money. If you don't like what they're offering, tell them what you do want - a free implement? You will have their ear from now on. Clearly they and you did not know how "powerful" your word is Take it as a compliment and get the freebies.

Scott

 

[mred]

You have good friends that backed you up when it mattered. Be thankful because that kind of friendship is not common. I would guess you have such friends because of who you are. Do what you think is the right thing. My 2 cents. If you feel the dealer is trying to make this right let him. Everyone deserves a second chance. If you think it is being done for the wrong reasons don't.

 

[ChuckinNH]

There is that part of us that doesn't want anything for nothing, or anything because someone else got it for us. I have made my own way in life, and understand that very well. Your pride is a good thing, as is your desire to have nothing that you don't work for. There is a line we can cross though, and I regret the times I have crossed it myself. If we take away our own business then we have treated others as we have been treated I guess. If we use others to hurt someone that we feel has hurt us, that is different. The company you dealt with made a serious mistake, and treated you badly. Others have pointed out that mistake to that company, and it has been a real wakeup call for them. They are now very much aware of their place in the community, and how important all their customers are, and just as importantly, how connected to each other they are. In my mind, you wanted that more than you wanted to punish them for what they did to you. It takes a big man to accept an appology gracefully. You might even make some new friends in the process. Remember that the money that goes into that place circulates around your community in many ways.

 

[exiled]

There is that part of us that doesn't want anything for nothing, or anything because someone else got it for us. I have made my own way in life, and understand that very well. Your pride is a good thing, as is your desire to have nothing that you don't work for. There is a line we can cross though, and I regret the times I have crossed it myself. If we take away our own business then we have treated others as we have been treated I guess. If we use others to hurt someone that we feel has hurt us, that is different. The company you dealt with made a serious mistake, and treated you badly. Others have pointed out that mistake to that company, and it has been a real wakeup call for them. They are now very much aware of their place in the community, and how important all their customers are, and just as importantly, how connected to each other they are. In my mind, you wanted that more than you wanted to punish them for what they did to you. It takes a big man to accept an appology gracefully. You might even make some new friends in the process. Remember that the money that goes into that place circulates around your community in many ways.

Chuck what you said is very true and I agree. I'm all for my community, and I would take a simple apology very gracefully and be did with. I dont wont them punished. Our community has other outlets for me to buy from. And I had to drive 45 miles to get to that dealer and theres other Tri-Greens around me. From the start I justed wanted to let them know they lost my busness. The cliche is you dont know what you got untell its gone. Well its gone. I dont want to take anybody with me thats not my doing.

Yes I have some very good friends. Not patting myself on the back. I made these friends in a market thats very dishonest. I have cometted myself to our customers and our company. I would take nothing for my friends. I have learned more from them than any service that I have given them.

You guys that think I should accept the offerings, I understand what your saying. I just cant do it. I know I could never look at them in the eye and busness with them again. Kinda like catching an employee stealing from you. You can never trust or look at them the same way again. Oh it would be nice to bleed 'em then enjoy the fruits. I have to look at myself in the mirror in the morning brushing my teeth then again at night.

 

[NuBota]

You have an interesting dilemma - you want to be treated as a good customer - not that "jerk" customer that can make waves. At the same time, you have an outstanding grievance that needs to be addressed

I think I would treat it like any dispute - let them apologize and make amends. If it seems sincere then maybe give them another chance (maybe they have learned a lesson... ). The true test will be how you get treated if/when you go in for warranty work. Otherwise, accept the apology, let them make the current issue right, and then never deal with them again. Well, deal with them as long as you need to in terms of this transaction - but give another place your "new" business. You can still give a negative opinion of the place if asked.

Either way, you are not sacrificing your principles by having them make your current transaction "right".

 

[exiled]

You have an interesting dilemma -
Either way, you are not sacrificing your principles by having them make your current transaction "right".

Thats the thing. It can never be set right. I do not believe in time travel so we're not going back. They can not change how my tractor looked when I showed up to take it home. After being told he would have it ready by 1st thing in the morning. If I'm over looking something please brang it to my attention.

 

[ScottK]

Here's another way to look at it. Do what your wife tells you to do. Most of us probably have to do that everyday anyway.

Most companies have a "customer is always right" and/or "satisfaction is guaranteed" type of policy. They are obligated to make it right when they know they have an unhappy customer. You don't have to forgive them. Just let them try.

Imagine if Deere finds out how much business they might lose because they didn't sell a clean Deere machine? Deere may come down on them much harder than you would expect if they don't make it right. They are not #1 worldwide for no reason.

 

[putt_putt_green]

Seems to me there trying to make ammends is strictly from a financial standpoint. They are only offering you good service now because they are losing money because they treated you badly. They dug the hole, let them smother in it. I'm sure they'll recover from this and learn a good lesson. Just my 2 cents worth.

 

[CurlyDave]

There is another problem here.

By not accepting Tri-Green's offer, your friends are being inconvenienced by changing their dealerships and business patterns.

Plus, when word gets back to your friends that Tri-Green tried to "make it right", but you were obstinate, their opinion of you may change for the worse.

Essentially, you weren't treated right because Tri-Green thought you were a little guy, but now they are offering up an apology and compensation which will cost them something.

I think you should swallow your hurt, and your pride, and accept Tri-Green's offer. And, let your friends know about it. Goodwill has a way of coming around time & again. But, if you are obstinate, you will end up hurting yourself in other ways.

A big man knows when to bury the hatchet, a petty man knows how to keep a grievance alive.

Dave

P.S. I have a few friends and a few business relationships which started off with incidents similar to the one you describe, ways in which I felt I had been wronged. Most of the time, if the people on the other side were willing to take a step toward me, I would take a step toward them. On a personal basis these are some of the best friends I have today, and in the case of businesses, I have gone back time and again because they started to treat me much more honestly and with respect.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

exiled, I would not accept their offer either under this circumstance. I am in a similar position where I have friends like yours willing to intervene on my behalf but I have asked them not to. I left it up to my local NH dealer to make right and they have dropped the ball. But I am still getting charged $200 a month in interest because of their screw up.

I will never buy anything from them again unless it is a dire emergency. I will never recommend them to anyone again either and I do not see my position changing anytime soon about it. I gave them multiple chances to negotiate to a fair settlement and they have refused. So I know how you are feeling and I don't blame you one bit. Some dealers do need a kick in the pants and I am just upset mine dropped the ball because I consider most of the people there friends. But the managers screwed up and instead of being a man about it they cower down and try to blame me while putting the screws to me every time I turn around.

I won't get into it anymore right now as just thinking about it has lit my fuse but in case you don't know my story, a $5k estimate to repair a $15k tractor turned into a $13k bill on a tractor I owe just over $6k still

 

[Tig]

I admire your resolve exiled. My dealer wronged me and by the time they called to make things right I had lost all confidence in them. I accepted their apology but I would not let them touch my tractor again.

 

[bxowner]

There's nothing wrong with sticking to your guns, Exiled. Who could blame you? An offer of 2 years of warranty means nothing if they're the ones servicing the tractor. I doubt their arrogance stops at the door between the showroom and the shop.

BUT, I do think (and expect you've already done this) you owe it to your friend who pulled his business from that dealership to know that you've gotten all of these phone calls and offers. Let him decide what he makes of it.

 

[WarrenF]

Exiled....here is my take on the deal. The dealership offered their apology. You have refused to take it even though you say you have accepted it. You refuse to talk to them, anymore. Second....you will tell your tale of woe to "all your friends." Yet you won't go directly to the dealership and listen to them and let them listen to you?

You are not protecting your name, or standing up for anything other than your foolish pride. You are acting like you may be wrong and you sure don't want to give them a chance to prove themselves....just in case you may be wrong.

This I don't wan't anything I didn't pay for is in my opinion baloney. Most will take anything for free....you are simply on a power trip. You are playing the "see, I am more powerful than they or anyone else realizes." You will relate this story to your children and grandkids, and anyone who will listen to you for years to come.

My advice, get off your power trip....give the dealership an opportunity to make things right with you.....that is unless you are afraid you will have to finish telling the story about how they made it right....and all your "friends" will have to see you as something other than the "powerful" man you envision your self to be.

Put yourself in the same situation. You screw up at your job...whether on purpose or because of other circumstances....the customer complains and "nothing is done." Finally through word of mouth your company hears about it and offers to make it right....but the obstinate toad will not allow them to make it right and continues to tell his tale of woe to anyone and everyone that will listen and even to some who will not listen. Say for example they even post their tale of woe on a national forum on the internet. Also now say that "mistake" costs your company ohhhh, about a million dollars in revenue for the year....and your company now has to lay you off. Well I guess that customer won...huh!!! even though your company has done everything it can to make things right. They would have made their point and you would be looking for the unemployment line.....

What you are now doing is called third grade girl games. Grow up and let them make things right.

Furthermore....you apparently WANTED the tractor. You could have shopped at all the other dealerships in the area....but you WANTED THAT TRACTOR, AT THAT PRICE. Takes more guts and strength to say you might be wrong. Now turn the deal around. What if that dealership tells their story to every other dealership in the area. What if they name names and make sure every dealership knows that you are a "difficult" customer. WWWEEELLL grab your wallet, cause I can guarantee they are going to make it worth their trouble dealing with you should you ever need parts or service....what goes around comes around.

 

[gordon21]

These two quotes pretty much sum it up.

Curly Dave puts it nicely:
I think you should swallow your hurt, and your pride, and accept Tri-Green's offer. And, let your friends know about it. Goodwill has a way of coming around time & again. But, if you are obstinate, you will end up hurting yourself in other ways. A big man knows when to bury the hatchet, a petty man knows how to keep a grievance alive.

Warren F puts it a little more bluntly, but has the same message:

What you are now doing is called third grade girl games. Grow up and let them make things right.

I had a similar situation with a problem, but the original dealer made no effort to fix it. I took my business to another JD dealer and spent my next $12,000 with the new dealer and have been loyal to him ever since. Your situation is different because the original dealer honestly wants to make it right. I can guarantee that the decision to send out a newly purchased machine all dirty was not decided by the owners or upper mgmt. That decision was probably made by some guy in the service dept named Bubba. I can assure you that Bubba will be washing every machine from now on. The dealer has learned a lesson the hard and expensive way. Most customers who become big customers, started out being little customers. They forgot that with you.

Be gracious and accept their apology. You will be a better man for it and your friends will be reassured why they came to your defense in the first place. They think you are a decent fair person. Don't change that perception.

Make sure to do this in person at the general managers office. You want to make sure that everyone knows your face now, not just your name.

 

[bjcsc]

Warren, I don't think exiled deserved a personal attack over this issue.

Yeah, I agree. Especially one that doesn't make any sense...

I don't think exiled is on a "power trip". I agree with the others who say stick to your guns. That's the way business works - word of mouth. It's the strongest force. Their after-the-fact apologies are disingenuous and have nothing to do with you and only to do with the impact of your word of mouth advertising. It's too late for apologies in my opinion. Just because you don't want to exploit your resulting position does not make you what WarrenF made you out to be. I would make the same decision that you have made (so far) as a matter of character and integrity - not pride. Just because most people in this country can be bribed and bought doesn't mean you have to be...

 

[WarrenF]

Warren, I don't think exiled deserved a personal attack over this issue.

What do you mean? There is NO personal attack!! He has posted his tale of "woe is me" TWICE. He is asking for opinions....looking for affirmation that "he is right and oh woe is him." I did not call him any name, did not call him any personally derogatory names, did not speak to anything other than his actions.

Now days everyone wants to be offended. He can be offended, and be silly about his offense....You can be offended....and have nothing to refute the argument I made....but your offense doesn't mitigate his intransigence at allowing others to make things right. NOPE, he would rather have a reason to post another tale of how big, bad, mean businesses have treated him wrong, and how he is now getting his revenge.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Exiled....here is my take on the deal. The dealership offered their apology. You have refused to take it even though you say you have accepted it. You refuse to talk to them, anymore. Second....you will tell your tale of woe to "all your friends." Yet you won't go directly to the dealership and listen to them and let them listen to you?

You are not protecting your name, or standing up for anything other than your foolish pride. You are acting like you may be wrong and you sure don't want to give them a chance to prove themselves....just in case you may be wrong.

This I don't wan't anything I didn't pay for is in my opinion baloney. Most will take anything for free....you are simply on a power trip. You are playing the "see, I am more powerful than they or anyone else realizes." You will relate this story to your children and grandkids, and anyone who will listen to you for years to come.

My advice, get off your power trip....give the dealership an opportunity to make things right with you.....that is unless you are afraid you will have to finish telling the story about how they made it right....and all your "friends" will have to see you as something other than the "powerful" man you envision your self to be.

Put yourself in the same situation. You screw up at your job...whether on purpose or because of other circumstances....the customer complains and "nothing is done." Finally through word of mouth your company hears about it and offers to make it right....but the obstinate toad will not allow them to make it right and continues to tell his tale of woe to anyone and everyone that will listen and even to some who will not listen. Say for example they even post their tale of woe on a national forum on the internet. Also now say that "mistake" costs your company ohhhh, about a million dollars in revenue for the year....and your company now has to lay you off. Well I guess that customer won...huh!!! even though your company has done everything it can to make things right. They would have made their point and you would be looking for the unemployment line.....

What you are now doing is called third grade girl games. Grow up and let them make things right.

Furthermore....you apparently WANTED the tractor. You could have shopped at all the other dealerships in the area....but you WANTED THAT TRACTOR, AT THAT PRICE. Takes more guts and strength to say you might be wrong. Now turn the deal around. What if that dealership tells their story to every other dealership in the area. What if they name names and make sure every dealership knows that you are a "difficult" customer. WWWEEELLL grab your wallet, cause I can guarantee they are going to make it worth their trouble dealing with you should you ever need parts or service....what goes around comes around.

Warren, if he talked to the dealer multiple times and each time they blew him off which is how I understand things happened then how is it being childish for him to no longer want to deal with the company when one of their larger customers gets upset with them. If he gives up his position and accepts their forced apology then all he did was further help their bottom line. The dealer doesn't care about Exiled, they care about his friends business. I have no problem telling others what they offered and the circumstances that led to that offer but the dealer was wrong and continued to be wrong until someone else stepped in and punished them for it.

Until you are in this position it is easy to say he should just swallow his pride and stop playing kids games but once you have gone thru it you will have a different perspective of the bitter truth. The dealer screwed up multiple times, he shouldn't have to blackmail the dealer to do what should have been done in the first place.

The only thing I wish was different was the Exiled's friend didn't intervene. Then he would have known if the dealer did this because they felt bad about the transaction if they did anything at all.