Tractor shop FRAUD. and got caught.

[macdoesit]

I took my 2000 L2500 with FEL and 4x4, into a tractor shop for clutch work. I have a profound hearing loss so I told them all communication has to be via text messaging.
I took the tractor in, lift the loader bucket drove it off the trailer and put it where they wanted it. Curled the bucket down lowered the bucket. They took the loader off to split the tractor. When I went to pick up the tractor the mechanic loaded it on my trailer while I went inside to pay. When I got home, I proceeded to unload the tractor, WTH is wrong with my loader it does not work right, I text the shop and told them. They said the valve body was bad and needed to be replaced, I said it worked perfect when I took it off the trailer at your shop. This person said, I helped them take the loader off and ((((it did not work right, and we checked and the valve was bad)))). NOTE THIS IS BEFORE THEY TOOK LOADER OFF. I argued that is not possible as it has always worked perfect. THEY INSISTED WE CHECKED THE LOADER JOY STICK VALVE AND IT IS BAD AND NEEDS REPLACED. I started looking at the hydraulic lines and comparing them to my New Holland line set up which is exactly the same as my Kubota, Guess what? The mechanic put the lines back wrong, I set them up just like my New Holland and the loader worked perfect. I text the shop, they said sorry we made a mistake putting the lines back on, I said no, no, no, you did not make a mistake you told me the loader was not working before you took the loader off, so that was a downright LIE. They said I never said that. Again they said they were sorry for not getting the lines back right. So instead of checking the lines that you put back on to make sure they were correct, you decided to just tell me that I needed to buy a new valve and labor to put it on. Apologized again and we will give you 10% off next work. They denied saying most everything they told me. Now think about this, EVERY WORD START TO FINISH IS IN THE TEXT MESSAGES AND TO THIS DAY I STILL HAVE AND DOWNLOADED TO A FLASH DRIVE.
When I told them all was on text message they were completely stunned! and then hung up. I'm still contemplating filing a lawsuit. I have all the proof.

 

[JWR]

None of my business. You have no grounds for any lawsuit (at least based on what you said here.) You were not charged anything extra for their error were you? Good that you solved the problem yourself. Good that you have a complete "beyond question" proof of what was said and when. Does that form a basis for some lawsuit? No. These kinds of disagreements are very common in automotive work, tractor repair, etc. Pick your battles. This is not one worth pursuing.

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

If you sued them...what do you believe a fair settlement would be? Someone connected lines wrong and now it works. Good job you found the problem.
It sounds like without seeing it they assumed the loader valve was bad.
Me...if the clutch repair was good and they offered 10% off next repair, I'd forget about it.
What if you had returned the tractor and they found the lines were switched and fixed it?

 

[scootr]

It sounds more like stupidity than anything else... agreed a lie is a lie and they should get a bad review for both offenses. But I agree, no matter how angry you are about the loader mishap and handling, be thankful your clutch is working and move on.

 

[Carl_NH]

Per the other posts the clutch may need some adjustment too - its grinding gears when shifting. This is still a work in progress, so the jury is still out on the clutch replacement work.

I agree, a mechanic should mark lines or parts when you take them off - I take pictures but still number lines etc before disconnecting them - just good practice.

This is not a suit or claim IMO. but if the repair shop offered 5-10% off the clutch repair for their miscue's that would be a fair deal (providing the new clutch is working properly)