Simpleton7016 Posted April 14, 2006 Posted April 14, 2006 If you check the archives, you will see that I am completely on board with keeping the local dealers in business. I hate the box stores and always try to promote my local dealer with family and friends and strangers. But one particular dealer has made his way to the top of my excrement list. Here in Brookfield, WI (near Milwaukee) we had a nice day in the 70 degreee range a few weeks ago. It was a perfect opportunity to fire up the pressure washer and wash all the salt and other gunk out of my garage. I did so, but the motor was not running real well and the actual pressure build up was sporadic. My small engine skills are limited at best so I called up my local dealer to see if they offered service for pressure washers. Sure enough, $79.99 for a tune up. The only down side of this particular dealer has been that it is ALWAYS a 2-week wait. No big deal though since the weather was sure to get ugly again. So I dropped it off for service and explained that it wasn't functioning properly. I also asked them to replace the pull cord since I had pulled it off. The guy writing up my service ticket seemed pre-occupied with some other priorities and I had a bad feeling about this from the start. Two weeks later, I received a call that my pressure washer was complete. I went in and paid the bill but asked that they fire it up so that I can see it operating before I load it up and get all the way home. I did not think this request would cause the stir that it did. But you would think I shot the Pope. They agreed, but one employee (I'll call him Dave) really rubbed me the wrong way. I could tell that he was ornery even before my request. But after hearing my request, he shook his head profusely and started cursing me under his breath. If he only new how much work it is for me borrow my wifes mini-van, take out the child seats and drive across town to pick this pressure washer up, he might have been a little more sympathetic. But alas, he was the biggest jerk I have ever done business with. After struggling to get the pressure washer started (and much cursing) it finally fired up. He looked at it, looked at me and smugly said "see". So I picked up the wand to give that a test. Just as I suspected, no pressure. He tried it himself with the same result. Then he grabbed the bill out of my hand and said, "there is no mention here of problems with pressure". I said, "absolutely I mentioned it, but let's assume for a moment that I didn't. I came in and requested your "pressure washer service package". In the itemized bill, it says that you changed the oil, tuned it up, and tested the machine." They obviously did not "test" the machine. He might have started the engine which would be fine if I purchased an engine repair "package". But I bought the "pressure washer" package. I expect that "tested" means that it was tested for its purpose. "Dave" was very upset, but I did not care. It was not about the money. It was about the fact that I suspect they charged me $130 to replace the pull cord and change the oil. I wanted it "serviced". He quickly realized that he was wrong and said he would "take a look at it". I asked if it would take another 2 weeks and he said, no, that someone would take a look at it that day. Anyway, they did eventually fix the problem, but charged me another $70. Again, it was not the money, but rather the hassle of having to go to the "Power Center" more than one time to pick up something that should have been fixed the first time. Not to mention the horrible customer service I got from "Dave" - whom I think it one of the co-owners. I will never use this particular "Power Center" again for my tractor or other small engine needs. If someone in my area can recommend someone else, I will gladly give them a shot. Of course the best part of Simplicity's is that they don't need much service anyway and most of it I can do myself. :) Sorry for the vent. But if all the local dealers go the way of this particular operation, it won't be long before the Home Depot's take over the tractor world!
AGCO918 Posted April 14, 2006 Posted April 14, 2006 The local dealers around here go out of their way to make it right.That is the main reason i am a Loyal Simplicity/AGCO fan. Ihad problems with my AGCO 918 that iused to own & i had more luck talking to Tec people who in turn called my Dealer, who in turn was on the phone with Kohler.I am one person who doesnt buy at box stores for tractors.I do buy attachments that you cant get through Simplicity at farm stores but that is about it.
Leroy Posted April 14, 2006 Posted April 14, 2006 If the dealer you went to, sells that equipment it's very likely he does not want that product any longer it could be that product is eating so badly on his profit margine that he is back to eating bologna on a tortia or PBJ's. I took my vehicle in to get all the fluids replaced. It was about 125. So at the end i asked what fluids they put in and how much was the required quantity for each. abidahh, abidahh, abidahh. Uhh lemme ask. So 10 minutes later he comes back and says we didnt actullay remove the transmission or read end fluids. I said Ha ha ha. So ah your charging me 125.00 for an oil change??? So we went to the pit and asked the guy how the fluid was in the rear end. The guy hadn't taken the plug out. So the mgr asked him to remove the plug and check. It seems the wrench to do the job was somewhere else and he had to go hunt for it. It just reminds me when i go to a check out counter and they clerk goes to give me my change and they just say here. no counting my change back. Ha ha ha. Boy are we in trouble. Folks can't count back your change and they can't read the work orders. Even if they did write em. To really get a feel for this guy go back and browse his store when your not wanting anything. Chances are you will hear something from someone if your there enough. Maybe the guy just needs to play some country music backwards.
Jason Posted April 15, 2006 Posted April 15, 2006 Hi I have a local Sthl dealer that is just like you mentioned above.When my Sthl weedeater was having starting problems, we took it to this dealer. He fixed it,( or so I thought) until it started developing problems again. We took it back to him, and he was plain mad that he had to fix it again. He was very rush rush and frusterated while fixing it in front of us. We did get it fixed, although I no longer go to my local Sthl dealer. I now drive 40 minutes to another quality Sthl dealer that actually cares above the customer and his problems. I don't mine the drive since I am getting great service. When it was time to buy a back pack leaf blower, my local Sthl dealer did not get the sale, the second more reliable Sthl dealer got the sale. We are planning on buying more Sthl equipment in the future, and my local dealer won't get those sales either. Sthl is a great brand in my opnion,even though I have had some minor problems, I would buy Sthl again. My local dealer, in my opnion should not carry the product as he clearly does not care about his customers or the product. Take Care Jason B
goatfarmer Posted April 16, 2006 Posted April 16, 2006 Erik,is this a Simplicity dealer? I'm sure Simplicity would like to hear of the hassle you had.....
Jovee Posted April 16, 2006 Posted April 16, 2006 Sorry to hear of the problems you had. There are a couple local places I avoid like the plague for customer service reasons but.... What would Home Depot have done in your situation?
Simpleton7016 Posted April 18, 2006 Author Posted April 18, 2006 Good idea Ken. Yes, they are a Simplicity Dealer, but the pressure washer I took in was not. And my apologies Joe, my comments reference a discussion that ocurred several months ago. To answer your question, Home Depot would not have done anything either and may have even been worse service. I just used that in the title because I am of the opinion that the biggest advantage of going to a dealer versus to a big box store is the customer service. This particular power center/dealer blew it in my eyes. I would almost rather get no service than bad service. Maybe "Dave" was just hungover. Or perhaps he was just reamed out by his wife. We have all had bad days and we've all been there. It just rubbed me wrong that particular day.
RayS Posted April 18, 2006 Posted April 18, 2006 I have a dealer 10 miles from me that is the same way and that`s why I drive 25 miles to get my parts.
ehertzfeld Posted April 19, 2006 Posted April 19, 2006 Calvin "Cal" takes very good care of me and the local customers. Heck even Kent has visited him from time to time.:D Elon
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