[CKN]

I recently bought a new X300 from my local dealer. He is a large dealer that pretty much has the area covered with seven dealerships. Maybe my expectations are too high but I expected more. I have bought several new cars and motorcycles over the years and mostly experienced good service. So by buying a John Deere from a John Deere dealer I expected more than I would get from a "Box Store". When I bought the tractor on a Wednesday morning I was told by the salesman it would be delivered before the weekend. By Friday noon I hadn't heard a word so I called to check and see when they were coming. I was told it was scheduled for the following Tuesday. I was not too happy. When the guy delivered it, I could see he was in a rush. It was a quick unload and "Are there any questions?". I told him I had read the owner's manual on the web site and pretty much understood everything but did have a question the backing up with the mower engaged. He stood there for a second, looked at the controls, then told me to pull up on the deck lock lever. Yes, the lever on the left side. Then I could back up. I knew that wasn't true but let it go. I told him if I had any questions I knew who to call. He replied "Just read your owner's manual". OK. I decided to wax it first while it was new and clean. When I waxed the right fron't wheel the valve cap fell off. The cap on the left wheel was on by one turn. The back were tight. When I lifted the hood to look at the engine I noticed the red protective boot on the battery was slid down the cable and not over the terminal. Now I know these are minor things but if they are that sloppy with the minor details, what about the more important things. I had ask the saleman when I bought it if it would be all set up or did I have to level the deck. He assured me that when I received it that it would be ready to mow and there was nothing I needed to do. Wrong! When I read the owner's manual it had how to adjust the antiscalp wheels. I noticed mine were as high as they could go. So I set them right. Then after observing this I decided I had better check the level and height adjustment. The fron't was about 1/4" low and the back about 3/8" low. So I adjusted that.
I have been pleased with my tractor. Just not so impressed with my dealer. I was waiting for a follow-up survey or something from John Deere or my dealer about post purchase satisfaction but I guess tractor dealers don't do this. It has been a month without hearing anything so I guess I will just email them with what I just wrote. They can take it as constructive criticism.
Anyone else have an experience like this?

 

[greenmachine]

I had a similar experience when I bought my LA140 new from the dealer a couple of years ago. I would give them an "F" for communication. Like you, I had to call and pester them several times - over two weeks, they never called me once. Then one day, I came home from work and the tractor was in my driveway. That really disappointed me, because they could have either planned ahead the day before, or else they had my cell phone number and I could have met them at my house. It was dirty and had almost no gas in it, but it was in working order otherwise and was ready to mow. After I cleaned it up, I was happy with it.

Although their sales/delivery process was quite poor, I am pleased with their parts and service department and have had nothing but positive experiences since.

If I recall correctly, you will get a survey from Deere.

 

[davidg]

maybe it is just me, but it seems that this is common for you northern guys. you rarely hear of a dealer treating folks like that down here. maybe it is because our folks taught us manners at a young age, i still have thimble sized knots in my head from both my great grandmothers.

on a serious note, i hate to hear you were done this way. your large dealer sounds like maybe he got a little TOO large and has lost touch with what got him there.

 

[JDFANATIC]

Call the salesman, and if necessary, go up to the owner. That is not the way to deliver a tractor or go over it with a new owner!

 

[lt230s]

CKN,
:Welcome1:
Sorry for your experience.
Wouldn't happen to be a dealer here in the Hudson Valley? I never bought new, but had similar experience when buying parts for my 110. Maybe they were disappointed that I was still using a 35+ year old GT and wouldn't buy a new one. I now use a local repair shop that deals with JD directly for parts and get much better service.
If you get follow-up survey from JD home office, I would definitely let them know about your dissatisfaction.
By the way.......:wwp: of your new X300!!

 

[1086]

Dealerships are just as individual as people are individual. You'll never find two alike. So with that in mind expect to be treated completely different at each one whether it be sales or service.

 

[munderhill]

That doesn't sound like a very nice experience to me, especially after buying a brand new lawn mower.
They sell JD's at the local Agway here in my area and they are some of the finest folks to deal with. On more than 1 occasion I was thinking of buying a JD from them and they quoted both times (1stGX355D & 2ndX500) and even after not buying, I still get great service from parts (stihl) and ag supplies. The sales/owner person knows I bought other brands and still does not have a problem with it. I do buy stihl products and oil from time to time but that's it. I just wish he carried Simplicity and/or Ingersoll!

Hope your new lawn mower performs better than there delivery service!

MU

 

[Stash]

You should let the dealer know you are not pleased with the way the delivery went, and the adjustment issues on the tractor. The way I would do that, is in writing with a copy to Deere. Don't know if it will do any good or not. But that's how I would address it.

 

[CKN]

CKN,
:Welcome1:
Sorry for your experience.
Wouldn't happen to be a dealer here in the Hudson Valley? I never bought new, but had similar experience when buying parts for my 110. Maybe they were disappointed that I was still using a 35+ year old GT and wouldn't buy a new one. I now use a local repair shop that deals with JD directly for parts and get much better service.
If you get follow-up survey from JD home office, I would definitely let them know about your dissatisfaction.
By the way.......:wwp: of your new X300!!

No, they are a dealer in western N.Y.. I am going to write the store manager and share my experience. Hopefully they will use it constructivly. I would think they would have a predelivery check list. I have gotten them from car dealers where the tech. signed off. I know, it's only a tractor but I take pride in my things and the things I do and would expect others to also. But, as I said, maybe my expectations were too high. I just expected better service from John Deere.
I will post some pictures soon. Hopefully I can figure out how to do it. I'm an old fart so I'm not the greatest with all this new fangled equipment.:comp26: But I'll try.

 

[mikeemc]

My dealer Hiltons has been very good to me as far as needing parts go. they spend there time listening to what you have to say and make sugestions. I'm pleased to have them as my dealer.

On the other hand My dad bought a CC wich I paid for and that dealer even though he was paid never sent the manuals or even serviced the GT3000 series with all the attachments , SO he gets the BIG thumbs down. Irmo