update on loader cracks

KiotiDave · Dec 7, 2006

Hi,
I think what everyone with an affected loader will suddenly be notified in the same way the DK55 axle notice was handled. Kioti will most likely have the parts on hand for quick shipping and will likely give the dealers a certain time frame to complete the repairs.
On the DK55's we had no idea this program was in the works until we got a packet with the affected serial numbers. We filled out the forms and faxed to kioti and in 3-4 days we had a pallet of new axle parts in a single shipment. I had about a dozen tractors to re-fit and they were done in 2-3 weeks.
I feel that Kioti is going to attack this problem in the same way. Once they have the materials the response will be very quick and efficient.
I have come to realize that when they are responsible for a problem that they do not hide(they most likely are working in the backround), they figure out the remedy and put it into actions. You are being heard.
I've been a dealer for a while and have yet to have KIOTI not take a problem seriously. They are always working to improve their product and the image of Kioti and Kioti dealers.
This is just my opinion, formed by past experience with Kioti Tactor.
KiotiDave

mathey · Dec 7, 2006

IMHO, most are frustrated by the lack of communication on the part of Kioti...its not like they have to call everyone individually...

a simple email or fax to the dealer saying something to the effect of "solution is still in the works, thanks for sticking with us" would suffice and keep the masses quiet, how difficult is this? should have been done at the beginning, and once or twice a month since...but no word at all leads to much speculation...

kiotiDave - what you say from experience makes sense, but it's just as easy to say that they are doing nothing on this issue. The "speed" at which they issue the fix in the end won't do much to appease those who have been waiting for months to hear. To respond to your "they do not hide" comment...one fax to dealers (as I recall) in a 10 month period (first reported 2/18/06) seems rather poor, don't cha think? If that's not hiding, it's sure close in my book.

They have much to learn in the customer service dept...if they want to play with the big boys. They are only hurting themselves.

IslandTractor · Dec 7, 2006

I appreciate KiotiDave's perspective however it is frustrating to not hear anything from Kioti on this matter. I called Sept 28th and was told they'd have the program announced "within two months". I have placed two follow up phone calls early this week and left messages. No reply yet.

My dealer has been great and says essentially the same thing that KiotiDave does but even he cannot seem to get any real information from Kioti.

If, as KiotiDave says, there is a certain time frame for dealers to finish repairs, that is exactly the type of information I need to know. In my case I have to either bring the tractor off an island and arrange to transport it $$$

or I need to pull the loader off and trailer it myself to the dealer $

. (I don't own a big enough trailer/truck to transport the tractor). I need some time to make that type of arrangement so if there is a window within which it must be done I'd like to know.

I also wonder whether Kioti really has everyone in their database. A number of Kioti owners receive periodic mailings from Kioti including something called Kiotibucks. I've never received a single piece of mail from Kioti. How do I know they have any record of my tractor/loader etc.

I feel like I am living in a TBN version of a Miller Beer commercial. (great taste, less filling etc): Great tractor, Lousy Customer Relations.

Piney Woods Rooter · Dec 8, 2006

Would most people REALLY be satisfied with a monthly (or weekly, daily - take your pick) corporate statement to the effect that a fix is in the works but not ready yet? I don’t think so; in fact it might cause even more discontent. However; if a customer or dealer can make the effort to contact Kioti, they deserve, at the very least, an acknowledgement of the problem and an upcoming repair (even if it’s a canned response.)

I’m relatively new to Kioti and TBN and I don’t own the affected loader, so I realize that I’m looking at the situation with a different perspective as you owners. I know the problem is extremely frustrating and I’m not trying to minimize it at all – just suggesting a possibility for the lack of information.

Did you hear about the lawyer and the &#@*&%$ sitting at the bar…Oh never mind!!

PWR (musing)

Dusty · Dec 8, 2006

IslandTractor · Dec 13, 2006

Quick update: It is now 10 days since I left my first phone message at Kioti customer relations requesting an update on the loader fix program status. No reply. Two other messages (7 days and >24hrs ago) also unanswered.

Given that the person who I left the messages for was very prompt in getting back to me in late September as soon as her corporate bosses gave her the information to pass on, I am wondering what this delay means.

1) The very efficient and competent person I dealt with previously has left for an extended vacation or retired without changing her voice mail.
2) Despite leaving a detailed and polite message, I am on their poop list and they (corporate bosses) will not let her return my call.
3) They are simply not ready with the repair program yet and don't have the decency or guts to simply acknowledge further delay and to provide an updated program launch estimate.

I just sent them the same question via their website "send us a comment" feature so we'll see if that generates an answer.

For what it's worth, I don't think we need any Kioti bashing from the peanut gallery (yeah, you know who you are

). If necessary, we KL120/130 owners will do that ourselves when the time is right.

Bob_Skurka · Dec 14, 2006

IslandTractor said:
I am on their poop list . . . from the peanut gallery

Ed, I didn't say anything. But I could.
BTW, I prefer to think of it as the rogues gallery

TBDonnelly · Dec 14, 2006

Bob_Skurka said:
Ed, I didn't say anything. But I could.

If you choose to taunt Islandtractor, please do so in a private message.

Thanks for your understanding.

Don

IslandTractor · Dec 14, 2006

TBDonnelly said:
If you choose to taunt

I think that post was very good natured ribbing and not a taunt at all. I do think those of us inside the Kioti forum need to avoid being thin skinned about "outside" commentary. Neither exaggerated criticism nor defensiveness will get us all back on an even keel so we can all get on with life and just say what we think in these posts, good or bad. I appreciate that the "peanut" or "rogues" gallery members (Bob is certainly not the only one) have been quite respectful and diplomatic of late. Let's not "taunt" them either.

Peace on Tractors. Happy New Tractor.

TBDonnelly · Dec 14, 2006

IslandTractor said:
I think that post was very good natured ribbing and not a taunt at all. I do think those of us inside the Kioti forum need to avoid being thin skinned about "outside" commentary.

I think the Kioti owners would appreciate NOT having the side commentary on this issue. There has been plenty. Thanks for your diplomacy and your understanding.

Don

rback33 · Dec 14, 2006

IslandTractor said:
I think that post was very good natured ribbing and not a taunt at all. I do think those of us inside the Kioti forum need to avoid being thin skinned about "outside" commentary. Neither exaggerated criticism nor defensiveness will get us all back on an even keel so we can all get on with life and just say what we think in these posts, good or bad. I appreciate that the "peanut" or "rogues" gallery members (Bob is certainly not the only one) have been quite respectful and diplomatic of late. Let's not "taunt" them either.

Peace on Tractors. Happy New Tractor.

I'll drink to that!

I must say that I am surprised that you have not heard anything back. In my close dealings with them, they have never let things go like this. Now that I think about it though.... I am not sure the woman you are calling still works there. She's still there. I confirmed that.

Bob_Skurka · Dec 14, 2006

TBDonnelly said:
If you choose to taunt Islandtractor, please do so in a private message.

Thanks for your understanding.

Don

Don,
I think Ed (Island Tractor) and I consider each other to be friends. We trade emails on various topics, often tractors outside of this forum. I also don't think that most people would have taken my comment to be taunting in any way. If you go back and read any of the exhanges between Ed and myself you will find them to be good natured.

TBDonnelly · Dec 14, 2006

Bob_Skurka said:
Don,
I think Ed (Island Tractor) and I consider each other to be friends. We trade emails on various topics, often tractors outside of this forum. I also don't think that most people would have taken my comment to be taunting in any way. If you go back and read any of the exhanges between Ed and myself you will find them to be good natured.

Yep. Your post was directed toward islandtractor, had no substance pertaining to this thread. Which is exactly why it would have made a fine PM to Ed.......and not drawn in needlessly the CK owners looking for actual updates on this issue, only to find BS.

This is my last post to this thread, unless, I have something of substance to contribute regarding the loader issue. Thanks for refraining and your continued understanding.

Don

Bob_Skurka · Dec 14, 2006

IslandTractor said:
Quick update: It is now 10 days since I left my first phone message at Kioti customer relations requesting an update on the loader fix program status. No reply. Two other messages (7 days and >24hrs ago) also unanswered.

Ed, I'm trying to stay strickly on topic as per the dictate from TBDonnelly that I not stray too far off the beaten path. Apparently levity is now a felony or at least a mistomeaner?

Consequently, I would have to wonder, given your history with the Kioti corporate contact, if that contact is still employed, or perhaps has moved to a different position. I know at my company that we've had voicemails get lost if someone moves to a new office and their voicemail box has had to be changed. It is rare for us to see that occur, but it has happened that a message will end up in an 'old' voicemail box. You may want to try a follow up?

AndyM · Dec 14, 2006

TBDonnelly said:
I think the Kioti owners would appreciate NOT having the side commentary on this issue. There has been plenty. Thanks for your diplomacy and your understanding.

Don

[comments posted, then deleted by AndyM]

Dargo · Dec 15, 2006

TBDonnelly said:
Yep. Your post was directed toward islandtractor, had no substance pertaining to this thread. Which is exactly why it would have made a fine PM to Ed.......and not drawn in needlessly the CK owners looking for actual updates on this issue, only to find BS.

This is my last post to this thread, unless, I have something of substance to contribute regarding the loader issue. Thanks for refraining and your continued understanding.

Don

And, just by chance anyone is interested in someone else's opinion...

For some reason I don't picture the majority of Kioti owners as a troll sitting under a bridge just waiting to jump out and club anyone who approaches their bridge on a tractor that doesn't say "Kioti" on the side.

rback33 · Dec 15, 2006

Dargo said:
And, just by chance anyone is interested in someone else's opinion...

For some reason I don't picture the majority of Kioti owners as a troll sitting under a bridge just waiting to jump out and club anyone who approaches their bridge on a tractor that doesn't say "Kioti" on the side.

ROFLMAO....

As for the Kioti employee in question... the person is still there in the same job. However her information is limited to what is given to her. She is the middleman on the deal. I am sure she will let you know as soon as she knows something. I worked closely with her in old position and she works very hard to do a good job and keep everyone as happy as possible. All I can say is PATIENCE... which I know is easier said than done at this point in time...

IslandTractor · Dec 15, 2006

rback33 said:
ROFLMAO....

As for the Kioti employee in question... the person is still there in the same job. However her information is limited to what is given to her. She is the middleman on the deal. I am sure she will let you know as soon as she knows something. I worked closely with her in old position and she works very hard to do a good job and keep everyone as happy as possible. All I can say is PATIENCE... which I know is easier said than done at this point in time...

I hope I made myself clear in the earlier post that I seriously doubted that the employee in question was the problem or the reason for the delayed response from Kioti. She was most responsive and professional when I contacted her in September.

This seems to be a corporate dragging of heels not a single person's doing (except maybe some lily livered VP or Prez

)

Dargo · Dec 15, 2006

IslandTractor said:
This iseems to be a corporate dragging of heels not a single person's doing (except maybe some lily livered VP or Prez )

You seem to be the most level headed, diplomatic, and articulate person I've seen so far who has the "issue" (I fall short of calling it an actual problem, and I mean no offense to the intelligence of other owners with the same issue), so I'm willing to chip in to help pay for a bus ticket to send you to their U.S. headquarters. Anyone else willing to chip in?

P.S. If you think I'm only kidding, you don't know me.