What did you say???

[Digdug5240]

Hold the line on this guy Copperhead, don't let him get one over on you. You might also check with the local better bussiness office and the state attoreny general's office.

 

[MattJ]

Sorry, I've been on vacation but I'll add what I know off just replacing the HST myself. The first time I did it it took me around 10-11 total as I was figuring it out (it took me 3 attempts due to first re-do due to forgetting to remove an internal shipping plug, the second due to missing an o-ring, school of hard knocks!!). The second tear down and replace was about 8hrs or so, the last with my neighbor helping on moving the large items took less than five hours from taking the tractor apart to having it back together.

Also as an fyi the dealer said a HST replacement would be $900 in labor.

The amount they are charging is BS. I had very little idea on how to take down a Kubota tractor and just had the workshop manual and on the first rebuild if I hadn't missed the shipping plug and o-ring I would have had it done in less than 11hr, and I do not have the tools a dealer has and spent a good portion of the 10hr just reading the WSM.

- Matt

 

[copperhead1967]

Latest update.
Waited Saturday and Monday no response from Jeff the Owner at Golden Eagle on Rt30 in North Huntington PA (yeah dealers name is out there now)
He was supposed to call me...... so Thursday rolls around and I take the day off because the fridge is messed up and the repair man is coming out.
I call Jeff at 9 AM , he says $36XX is best I can do..... I stay the course ... I offer the 2970 PLUS 6 % salese tax bringing it up to around 3150. Figure this is $4-500 apart and he'll go for it. He says let me call you back in 30 minutes.

Repair man comes and fixes fridge...seems a wire popped off from when another guy replaced the defrost sensor 5 years ago. Guys like 72 YO and apoligizes that he has to charge me for the repair for something another company repaired before. I'm like "thats OK" write the check for $118 dollars and I'm happy I don't have to drop $1500 on a new fridge.
I mention the Kubota mess and he laughs and says "He's a crook, I sold my Kubota so I wouldn't have to deal with him".

So I wait around somemore... now it's 4 PM and I call Jeff back. He launches into "36xx is all I can do".... I say "I don't care about that, explain why I'm calling you at 4PM when you said you call me back no later than 9:30".
Didn't like that....says "3600 is best I can do" and hangs up on me.....WTF.
I'm a supervisor for a major company and if I'd EVER hung up on anyone I'd be cleaning out my desk. Must be nice to be the owner.

So I call the Kubota corporate office in Torrence CA and the lady forwards me to a Steve who is the regional rep. I explain the situation and Steve says give me a few days to look into it.... I'm not expecting much from Steve.

So now at 6PM I get a call from another Jeff at the Kubota regional office.
Turns out he's tha local rep, also turns out I know him from when our sons wrestled in a league together about 6 years ago. He was his schools rep and I was my schools rep. We actually talked about tractors often back then. I just had forgot I knew him. Good guy, listens to the story and recommends another dealer for future work, says he'll fix it for what he quotes you. Also mentions the majority of his work is dealing with Golden Eagle and complaints about them. Tells me it sounds like I'm paying for the new repair guys training session and doubts it took a whole work week to fix my tractor.
Says he's going to work with Golden Eagle and Jeff the owner. I say great, I'm surpised he won't budge any considering where only 4-500 apart.
So thats where were at.........stay tuned.

 

[LD1]

Just unbelievable:confused2:

Hopefully the local rep that you know will come through for you, especially since this isnt the first complaint on this dealer.

And even if that falls through, you should still look into your local state laws regarding estimates and going over.

And even all that aside, you did say that they had NOTHING in writing. Another leg up in your favor to, if you choose that route

 

[WilliamBos]

Latest update.
Waited Saturday and Monday no response from Jeff the Owner at Golden Eagle on Rt30 in North Huntington PA (yeah dealers name is out there now)
He was supposed to call me...... so Thursday rolls around and I take the day off because the fridge is messed up and the repair man is coming out.
I call Jeff at 9 AM , he says $36XX is best I can do..... I stay the course ... I offer the 2970 PLUS 6 % salese tax bringing it up to around 3150. Figure this is $4-500 apart and he'll go for it. He says let me call you back in 30 minutes.

Repair man comes and fixes fridge...seems a wire popped off from when another guy replaced the defrost sensor 5 years ago. Guys like 72 YO and apoligizes that he has to charge me for the repair for something another company repaired before. I'm like "thats OK" write the check for $118 dollars and I'm happy I don't have to drop $1500 on a new fridge.
I mention the Kubota mess and he laughs and says "He's a crook, I sold my Kubota so I wouldn't have to deal with him".

So I wait around somemore... now it's 4 PM and I call Jeff back. He launches into "36xx is all I can do".... I say "I don't care about that, explain why I'm calling you at 4PM when you said you call me back no later than 9:30".
Didn't like that....says "3600 is best I can do" and hangs up on me.....WTF.
I'm a supervisor for a major company and if I'd EVER hung up on anyone I'd be cleaning out my desk. Must be nice to be the owner.

So I call the Kubota corporate office in Torrence CA and the lady forwards me to a Steve who is the regional rep. I explain the situation and Steve says give me a few days to look into it.... I'm not expecting much from Steve.

So now at 6PM I get a call from another Jeff at the Kubota regional office.
Turns out he's tha local rep, also turns out I know him from when our sons wrestled in a league together about 6 years ago. He was his schools rep and I was my schools rep. We actually talked about tractors often back then. I just had forgot I knew him. Good guy, listens to the story and recommends another dealer for future work, says he'll fix it for what he quotes you. Also mentions the majority of his work is dealing with Golden Eagle and complaints about them. Tells me it sounds like I'm paying for the new repair guys training session and doubts it took a whole work week to fix my tractor.
Says he's going to work with Golden Eagle and Jeff the owner. I say great, I'm surpised he won't budge any considering where only 4-500 apart.
So thats where were at.........stay tuned.

Sounds positive. Fingers crossed fir you!!

 

[OrangeBeast]

I just had a BX22(bought used 1 year ago) HST repair done also a few month ago. I called the 2 local dealers May 31th . They said it would only take 8 hours(75$/hr) and parts. Exactly the same answer so I went with the closer one. You see we had a open crack in the bottom of the HST case (500$ for the case) and did not know why. Set things up for drop off on a Saturday as getting in on a week day is not possible. They said they could come get it. I said I already had it on the trailer. (And I will add that was fun manually getting the FEL off and pulling her onto the trailer with a come-along as there was not a drop of fluid in her)

Dropped it off June 4th they said they would open it up and diagnose it and let me know.

2 weeks after dropping it off I had not heard a thing. Called June 19th they did not even start. After some pressure they said it will be on the schedule for next week. And they would let me know. Thursday (June 23) had to call to find out they did not start farther then getting the ROP and wheels off, or so they say, and that few guys called in sick and were short handed bla bla yack yack etc!!!!

Finally the June 29th called saying looks like diff lock failed and that a gear broke and that it would be about 600 for the gear sets and another 100 for other parts. Scary thing he said it took 12 hr to get it open due to frozen and broken bolts!! (Hmm sound like the exact thing they said to you copperhead1967 now I know was a lie!) Gave me a lecture about not jamming on the diff lock while wheel spins or in motion, but I have never used it, never needed to. Guess those are the pains of buying used, prior owner abused her I guess!

He said it was going to take 5-7 days for the part and I convinced then to get them sent priority due to July 4th weekend coming and wanted it done asap as they have had it almost a month convinced them to split the shipping too! They said then the parts would arrive Wednesday or Thursday.
Friday (July 1st) no call or anything. So I called. Parts did get there but needed another bearing as one broke on reassembly. So had to wait for more parts and they ordered it normal without even calling!! UGH parts didn't arrive till late Wednesday the 6th I had to call tham as they are unable to dial a phone or something.

After many calls and pushing it took till the over another week till July 15 when thay said it was done! So I get the bill 28hours ($2100) labor and parts ($1300) 3400ish + tax. Gasp choke !!!! @#$^$$# You say what!!!!! So after some crafty talking (12hr take apart + 6hr to reassemble as there was no way it took 16 to put together) so I was able to talk them down to 2700ish with tax could not get it any more down!

Get it home during the weekend I find out she creeps, tail light don't work and fuel leak! The "kid" that put it together crushed the red maker lights wires between the ROP and frame (not connected to anything I may add!) Fixed the leak, was a fitting loose. So I call at lunch Monday and was asked to bring it in! UGH
So I load her up when I get home and ready to get going early, at least dealer is on a back way to work. So I drop off trailer and Bota before they open and arranged with work to leave early so I would get there before they shut down! Told them not to load her on as I will check her over.

All seemed ok other than occasional drip every few days, cant find from where!

While I was under her wiring up some lights for winter 3pt snowblower found that the "kid" did not bolt the fuel junction plastic thing (left side on frame under tank) to the frame. I fix it myself but was PIA to get the bolt in between sub-frame and frame but got it in and used a few washers as spacers and double nut end of bolt so the plastic was not crushed tight on frame.

Wonder what else I will find!

I will never use Champlain Valley Equipment in St Albans VT for repair sevice again only for parts as they are unable to call or tell the truth and pad repair bills.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

I know how you feel, I took my tractor to the local NH dealer 4 years ago to get it repaired (spun a bearing). I asked the service manager numerous times what it would cost to repair. Was quoted a price of around $1400 if I remember correctly. I asked for a written estimate but they said they don't do written estimates. I then asked them to call me if they found anything else that needed repaired once the tractor was apart. They called and said the pto was worn and would be $1300 to repair. So I was around $2700 for the repair. It seemed low so I figured maybe the prices were just parts cost so I doubled it to be safe and figured $5k. Well, the bill showed up a day after I was seriously injured for around $13k. The best the store manager would do was take 10% off of the parts which dropped the price to $11,700. I talked to the service manager and he denied ever quoting that price and was no longer working for them shortly after this happened.

The store manager asked me what price I was hoping to pay and since I knew how much the did put into it I offered to pay between $9-10k and would give them $4k on the spot and make arrangements to get them the rest. The manager started swearing at me and threatened to sue me so I got up and hobbled out of the store and have never been back. My tractor is still sitting in their back lot and it will stay there till either I feel like talking to the store owner or they decide to actually call me. It is a 120 horse cab tractor so I miss it but I have other tractors and have made due without it. I hope you have better luck then I did.

I did contact a lawyer about my situation and he advised me that the most probable outcome would be the judge splitting the difference which would put us in the $9k range and the lawyers fee would be close to $4k anyway that I was talking to so I would be paying full price still. The only way I would make out would be if the judge sided with me completely. I wasn't willing to take that chance as there was a chance the judge could side with the dealer in which case I go from $13k to $17k. Instead I felt the best option was to finish paying off the tractor and let it sit there. Now they can't do anything with it and neither can I. We both have a lot of money tied up in it and it does neither of us any good.

They also lost all my business as I will not buy another Ford/NH tractor or implement as long as that store manager is still there. Im about to buy a Kubota vineyard tractor and will have it parked in the front yard so the dealer knows (dealer is 2 miles down the road).

 

[crazyal]

I hate to say it but unless you know you have a good dealer it's best to do the work yourself if you can. If you can't then I would only deal with a dealer that is willing to give you a written estimate with something written on it saying that if they go more than 10% over they need to have you sign something saying it's OK.

A co-worker had problems with a different dealer around here. It was on a tractor under warranty, a fifth gen farmer, they jerked him around until I started a thread about his troubles. I never named the dealer but clearly someone else read what was going on and mentioned it to the dealer who then quickly fixed the problem and then said something about how he read the thread.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

As I read this thread I keep being reminded as to why I don't buy used tractors and why I buy from Barlows. Can't even imagine them operating this way. If they did they wouldn't still be in business.
There are probably more good dealers than bad dealers but the bad ones need to be avoided and go out of business as soon as possible.
I know there are bad and unreasonable customers also but let the market determine who gets to stay and who gets to go, with the help of the manufacturer, always contact the company concerning a bad dealer.

 

[Danner]

Talk to a lawyer. Maybe the District Attorney's office. There is a core legal problem here. My guess is they are thieves that need some jail time.

Seriously.

 

[Chilly807]

At the end of the day, without a written contract to perform the work, it's "he said, she said". Hard way to learn that lesson, I'll say that much. The Kubota rep may be able to put some pressure on the dealer regarding allowable time and business practice, but that's about it.

Sean

 

[copperhead1967]

Thanks for the support. Still waiting on the "Good Jeff" from the local office. He did say give him a few days.

 

[OrangeBeast]

As I read this thread I keep being reminded as to why I don't buy used tractors and why I buy from Barlows. Can't even imagine them operating this way. If they did they wouldn't still be in business.
There are probably more good dealers than bad dealers but the bad ones need to be avoided and go out of business as soon as possible.
I know there are bad and unreasonable customers also but let the market determine who gets to stay and who gets to go, with the help of the manufacturer, always contact the company concerning a bad dealer.

This is my first Tractor! I have learned my lesson about used too! Never again! The Dealer sales part is fine its the service department that sux a big one! I forgot to mention that when I picked her up the 1st time I saw the work area, what a mess. Parts just tossed and piled all over the place. how can they know if you forget to put something back on when they have a mess every where and no bins for parts taken off to by put back on!!!

 

[copperhead1967]

Ok, I talked to the regional service manager and he said he couldn't do much since the tractor is 9 years old. He did offer me a complete 50 hr service pack since the new hydro would require it to remove any contaminates from reassembly.
At this point where 400 apart so I said fine. I just want the tractor back. I have 3 more cords of firewood to get put up for winter. Driveway that needs raked and 100 more feet of drain to put in.
Off to the dealership whith my neighbor who trailers it for me. ( I give him 50 bucks each way)
Go inside to pay and the pretty young girl starts ringing up the tab, I peak across and see it's the 3500 number, OK at least the adjustments showing. She excuses herself and walks down the hallway and goes into the owners office. 5 minutes later she comes out. Adds sales tax to the total now were at $3767.55. OK, I'm holding back, no this girls fault she works for a crook.
So she struggles moving the 5 or 6 lawnmowers around my tractor so it can be moved. I look at the mechanics waundering around looking lost and help her move the last few. Maybe the owner should of got off his fat wallet.

I then say am I allowed to drive it out of the service area? Yes, she says.No one else looked they where going to do it. So I fight the temptation to drive over the row of lawnmowers and straight into the nice expensive looking kubota skidloader in the next service bay. ( OOPs sticky pedal) I get to the doorway of the service area and stop the tractor dead in the middle and ask the guy where my old tranny is. He looks kind of confused and says let me go see if I can find it. 10 minutes later he comes out with a box and my old tranny. I give the tractor the once over and check all the lights. Everything looks good, can't see any leaks. Start her up and give it a whirl around the lot. Everythings good,moves like a new girl. Trailer it home and actually start to forget about the money, just excited to get the FEL and BH on her and get to work. Figure some seat time will cure the ache in my wallet.
So all seems well? Not really I stared another thread with the problems about the 3PH,FEL and BH to not working. I'm trying to keep that one technical so I'll post over there going forward and only update this post if needed to answer any questions.

 

[jerkyboy]

Just pulled the HST out of my BX1500; took me about 8 hours but I really took my time and took lots of pics to make sure it all goes back together smoothly, which I think will go quickly. I purchased a new HST, o rings, and some filters for around $1,300.

 

[PoorPlowboy]

My tractor is still sitting in their back lot and it will stay there till either I feel like talking to the store owner or they decide to actually call me. It is a 120 horse cab tractor so I miss it but I have other tractors and have made due without it. I hope you have better luck then I did.

I did contact a lawyer about my situation and he advised me that the most probable outcome would be the judge splitting the difference which would put us in the $9k range and the lawyers fee would be close to $4k anyway that I was talking to so I would be paying full price still. The only way I would make out would be if the judge sided with me completely. I wasn't willing to take that chance as there was a chance the judge could side with the dealer in which case I go from $13k to $17k. Instead I felt the best option was to finish paying off the tractor and let it sit there. Now they can't do anything with it and neither can I. We both have a lot of money tied up in it and it does neither of us any good.

They also lost all my business as I will not buy another Ford/NH tractor or implement as long as that store manager is still there. Im about to buy a Kubota vineyard tractor and will have it parked in the front yard so the dealer knows (dealer is 2 miles down the road).

Be very, very careful. The dealer CAN do something with it. A mechanics lien, and it allows them to sell it for whatever is owed on it. I don't want you to get screwed farther to the wall than you already are.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Be very, very careful. The dealer CAN do something with it. A mechanics lien, and it allows them to sell it for whatever is owed on it. I don't want you to get screwed farther to the wall than you already are.

So far they have not put a lien on it. They have done nothing with it. But to be honest, I don't really care anymore. :confused3:

 

[WilliamBos]

So far they have not put a lien on it. They have done nothing with it. But to be honest, I don't really care anymore. :confused3:

Somehow, since that has not happened, they know they made a HUGE mistake...

How are you feeling?? Back getting better??

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Somehow, since that has not happened, they know they made a HUGE mistake...

How are you feeling?? Back getting better??

My back is holding together and I can do just about everything I could before my injury. However the damage to my spinal cord appears to be permanent since after 4 years there has been absolutely no improvement and I haven't gained any feelings that were lost.

I agree, if they believed they were right they would have been more aggressive with this. Since they seem to be trying to wait me out I have to assume they know their in the wrong and are hoping I cave. Good luck with that ;-)