Where is "Pats" Quality Control?

[wedge40]

I sure wish that I had seen all of the posts about having to grind and weld and reshape the Millonzi grapple to make it fit before I had bought one. I could have saved myself a lot of time. If people buy a product and it looks like junk when they get it and it does not fit then by god I for one want to know about it. When you get a great product that works well I want to know that to. This unwritten rule about if you get crap then don't speak of it publicly until you try to get it fixed is lame in MHO. If you get crap tell us. Then let us know how the company resolved the issue. I don't know the first thing about Pat's products I am speaking in general. It goes for everything we as tractor owners use including the tractors.

I'll agree, but you dont publish a book till it's finished. I also want to hear good and bad stories about a manufacture, but I want the WHOLE story.

Wedge

 

[suncoast]

I just got back from Northern Tool, they had the "Real Pats Quick Hitch". They were on a clearance table (only one each cat 1 & 2). Maybe they aren't going to be regular items now. The cat 1 box had been opened and re-taped but they employee reopened it for me and it looks like everything is in there, so of course I bought it. I will reserve judgement until I install it. I hope it will fit a Deere Cab 4720. I also hope that I will have a warranty and can get help if needed since I did buy there. There is no doubt as this has "Pats" sticker and patent # (the sticker is a clear background?). I wish you could see these two products live side by side. Now I have units with no welding spatter and what looks to be a durable finish (even inside!) The people who said the spatter and lack of paint wouldn't bother them, obviously the pictures do no justice to what I first received. I would think our "Pat" here would be glad that someone took the initiative to pursue this matter and warn how many hundreds or more who may have bought what I originally did. Taking his deserved income. I could have just been embarresed and stayed silent but that surely wouldn't help anyone else. I have no problem with the other pat trying to make a living, but the manner in which he is going about it is wrong (using a successful manufacturers name). As to the wonderful comment about not publishing a book until it is finished. If a child molester is on the loose, do you not warn the public until he/she is caught and convicted? I guess I am an author for the publics interest.

 

[Bedlam]

Sounds like your moving forward.
I assume that when you bought the first ones, that you assumed they were the 'real pats' So it wasn't like you were looking to save a buck and sacrifice quality

 

[IslandTractor]

I have no problem with the other pat trying to make a living, but the manner in which he is going about it is wrong (using a successful manufacturers name). .

I believe the "other Pat" you are lambasting is one and the same as the respected original Pat. His post (PatG) clarifies that point. You bought his newer "low rent" model from AgriSupply and then the original version from Northern Tool. They are according to Pat's post the same functionally.

 

[shvl73]

As I read it, there is only one manufacturer that made both of the quick hitches referred to here. There is no imposter or import (at least with respect to the units here). There are simply two versions. One is the original style, and one is made for a lower price point. Re-read the post by PATG. Let me know if I am wrong.
(IslandTractor beat me to it.)

 

[PATG]

Suncoast,

I hope you are happier with the Northern tool model.
No they are not discontinuing them. They sometimes overstock in an individual store and put them on sale.
I will always appreciate constructive critisism and am sorry that you were unhappy with the other model. They are mine though. I went through every one on the shelves and could not find another hitch that was not painted on the inside of the receiver. I apologize that you received one that was not 100%, but I will always make it right. If you look on the front of the box you will see Greenwell Mfg LLC, 487 D E Brown Road, Brandenburg, KY 40108, Phone 888-243-4204, and patent #7,059,419. The instructions included have all of the same information. I am Pat Greenwell.
There is a difference in the look of the models. The Northern tool model has a smooth hook. This takes longer machine time, which drives up the base cost.
I came up with the new model in response to posters that were upset about the price. They are made in the USA (Brandenburg, KY). Agri-Supply has carried them for six months now and I have heard many compliments on them.
If I can do anything to help to make you happy, let me know. I will be happy to send you a UPS return sticker and refund your money on the other model.

888-243-4204
patrickg@bbtel.com

 

[Skyco]

How easy it would have been to avoid this whole mess if the manufacturer had just bothered to update their website to reflect there are two versions......
Personally I'm not the least bit interested in either version since I don't swap implements much.

 

[IslandTractor]

How easy it would have been to avoid this whole mess if the manufacturer had just bothered to update their website to reflect there are two versions.......

I don't have a dog in this fight but I don't think that Pat has done anything that hundreds of other well run businesses have been doing for quite a long time. He has a well regarded but pricy original model and after getting price related feedback he came up with a way of getting the same functionality and strength in a modified version that could be sold for less. He doesn't want to cut into the sales of his orginal model so he sells the new version through other channels. Yes, he takes advantage of his own name to sell the off price version but that is fair in current US business practice. Go into a Timberland or other brand name store outlet mall and you'll find quite a few brand labeled items for sale that you'll never find in the full retail shops. They are manufactured specifically for the outlet market. Pat seems just to be playing that same game. While it is certainly annoying to get something different than you thought, it is a direct consequence of the price pressure we all put on businesses.

There does seem to have been shoddy QC on the one Suncoast bought but Pat has addressed that with his return offer and by checking other stock to see if it is a systematic problem. Sounds like a pretty reasonable response to me.

 

[sandman2234]

Sounds like this problem has been taken care of, and explained for the masses (us) so now we know what to do when we go to spend our money. If you want top notch quality, buy the original, but if you don't mind a few corners cut in manufacture of the item, and love saying a buck for the few times you use the item, buy the later version.
David from jax

 

[Bedlam]

Just got the new Agri catalog and all they have in it is the grey ''originals''

 

[brewer_chuck]

I started reading posts here about 3 months ago when I first backed my new tractor off the trailer. When I searched for a way to make changing the implements easier, I came across a lot of posts about Pat's Quick Change. I waited on a payday and ordered and they showed up this afternoon. Unfortunately for me, as with most things, my wife says she has a better use for them than what I had planned. So I might have to order some more and have them shipped to a neighbor's house or something. Pat, what could she possibly be using them for? I know she got tired of the wimpy shower hooks I bought for the house we are renting. Does she have the soap on a rope hanging from a Quick change unit? I'll post my first pictures here if she really did user them for something more than a weight for the top of the garbage can. It takes me about an hour to disconnect the box blade and hook up the bush hog without some help, so I could use a second pair discount. Maybe Pat could call my house and tell her that it really is a tractor THING.

 

[emmy71]

I just got back from Northern Tool, they had the "Real Pats Quick Hitch". They were on a clearance table (only one each cat 1 & 2).

Okay, I have to ask since they were on the clearance table, how much. I probably don't want to know, but have to ask.

Terry

 

[Inspector507]

If I can do anything to help to make you happy, let me know. I will be happy to send you a UPS return sticker and refund your money on the other model.

888-243-4204
patrickg@bbtel.com

I have met this man years ago and bought a set from him personally in Louisville, KY at a Tractor Show. I have also seen him respond in the same manner as he did here. If there's anything he makes that you are unhappy with, he'll make it right. I even told him (jokingly) that I broke both of the cotter pins on mine. He wanted my address to send new ones to me. I told him I'd have to take them off to replace them and I can't imagine me taking them off. But if I did I'd let him know.

He's a stand up guy and ready to stand behind any of his products if you give him a chance.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

He's a stand up guy and ready to stand behind any of his products if you give him a chance.

That be the nature of us Kentuckians

 

[PondCreekFarm]

I am in the market for a quick change system, but I have not bought one yet. In reading this thread, however, I feel that Pat has taken an unfair beating. He did not do anything wrong or misguided in developing a less expensive product. We Americans are forever putting pressure on retailers and manufacturers to produce products at a lower cost. Do we really think that we get the same thing for our money at a lower cost? He simply offered a product at a lower price point to appeal to those that want to pay less. I do not own his product, but I have no problem with his business plan

 

[Glowplug]

I am in the market for a quick change system, but I have not bought one yet. In reading this thread, however, I feel that Pat has taken an unfair beating. He did not do anything wrong or misguided in developing a less expensive product. We Americans are forever putting pressure on retailers and manufacturers to produce products at a lower cost. Do we really think that we get the same thing for our money at a lower cost? He simply offered a product at a lower price point to appeal to those that want to pay less. I do not own his product, but I have no problem with his business plan

I feel exactly the same way. In fact, it almost makes me want to buy PECS just. . . .because.

___________________________________________________________________________

That be the nature of us Kentuckians

I hear ya brotha Bill!

 

[Bedlam]

I think we all need to go back to the original post and read it, Its well done and has pictures.
It has been determined that he isn't happy with the set he bought.
Next point was he deceived? I say Not really.
Did he 'assume; i say yes. He assumed that the wording for the hitch was indeed the one that is advertised on this site and used by many.
The remedy?
either return to Agri Supply and explain how he felt it was 'misleading'
In this case he had yet another avenue. PAT offered to return it direct to him.
I don't see that Pat has been 'beat up' all that much here. I'm sure he has had worse.He stepped forward when he didn't have to as he has done in the past.
We all learned allot here to be sure that what we buy is just that, that there are companies like AGRI and PATS HF that still stand behind their product.
Personally, I would have decided if I could 'salvage' them or I would have sent back to Agri Supply with an explanation of how I felt the two types could be confused.(As it was the case here)
I think its great that Pat has tried to make a less expensive product for some who felt the original price was more than someones budget could bear.Most companies would look the other way.
If you research the other hitch thats talked about here allot you'll see that the owner, has also listened to our gripes here. He now offers just the J hook for weld on application.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/customization/122474-ez-hitch-weld.html?highlight=quick+hitch
This link helped lead to it being offered. here
Welcome to CARTER AND SON'S TOOL AND DIE
I consider all these companies going above and beyond on trying to make a customer happy.
Thumbs up to their customer service
Al

 

[curly]

Yeah, I went back and read the first post. I still say it's always good to go to the source first and give him the chance to fix the problem before you do the character (or business) assasination...which is what was done right? And many times it's left at that, that's all that gets read and the damage is done. It looked at first like it wasn't even Pat's system, but the business was already assassinated. I know it did turn out to be Pat's, but Pat offered a full refund and replacement, he said he checked inventory and there were no more bad ones, so that was the one that slipped through QA, yet the business was already assasinated.

Suncoast talked a lot in that post about how great his businesses were doing and how he could weld and how big his billing rate was at $75'ish an hr, etc. Sounds like he's right proud of all he's done down there in Florida. My guess is that Suncoast has made an error or two himself, and has had the chance to redeem himself by a customer calling and telling him the problem.

Suncoast did give thanks to the Lord for all of his success though, that's good, but maybe he should have read Mathew 18:15-17 before he typed in his potentally lethal post.

"If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

Looks like Suncoast went straight to the pagan, taxcollector thing. We need to treat others as we would want to be treated. I think Pat should have heard about this first, and given the chance to make it right. And if he still wouldn't make it right, by all means, tell the forum (we would be the church in that case) about it then.

Suncoast, I hope you never let anything by your flawless QA, hope one of your palm trees doesn't die and someone assasinates your reputation before you get a chance to make it right. Because remember in Mathew 7:2 where it says, "For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." So, if you don't show a bit of mercy, then don't expect any if you make a little slip-up yourself one of these days...I know, I know, you'll never make a mistake in any of your businesses, right? Yeah, good luck with that.

 

[BlacknTan]

Hmmmm..

Some pretty harsh words from a "bible thumpin" Christian???

suncoast posted what he received... fair in my book.

 

[curly]

Hmmmm..

Some pretty harsh words from a "bible thumpin" Christian???

suncoast posted what he received... fair in my book.

Well then, maybe you should try "The Good Book", sir...it is the book where all fairness originates.

But yes, I am a God-fearing man who believes the bible. And Suncoast did call the name of the Lord in his post (without you commenting) so he sort of opened himself up to a scripture quote or 2.