I went back and forth between one star and two. I chose the 2-star "could have been better", but actually right now Im at the point of could have been a LOT better. It was a tough decision, but I didn't want to be a jerk.
The problem is mainly getting service. Getting them to return calls. Getting them to follow through. Every time I call, I get a friendly person who sounds like he's "on it", but never follows through. I have to call again and again and again. They're "short staffed". They've been "short staffed" for 5 years; it's their go-to excuse for everything. I've been told they ordered parts for my New Holland and it would take X amount of days to come, they'll call me when it's in. Weeks pass with no response and well-past the date quoted. When I call there's an excuse (always) it's back ordered. Still no call, until I call them weeks later again, only to find out part came in weeks ago and still the tractor isn't fixed, but they'll get right to it, though they're short staffed.
I've been chasing them over my mower belt that keeps popping off or breaking. The friendly guy is always going to send somebody out that day. They've already "fixed the problem" twice; replaced an expensive part, only to have the problem occur again within a month. Came out to my house after several calls with promises to get back to me, but don't, and replaced another broken belt and tried to find out why it keeps popping off; can't locate problem. Now it's popped off once more and we're doing the "short staff/somebody's -coming-out, but-doesn't/will-call-you-back-but-don't merry-go-round. Exasperated, I called the "friendly" guy in service and he was going to make a quick phone call regarding getting my belt put on, and would call me back ("I PROMISE") in 5 (five!) minutes. I waited. And waited. It's right now 15 hours and still no call back. I've learned the ONLY way to get somebody out is to go into the shop, look a human in the face and get an appt./answer right there. Who has time for that. That's why we have phones. I'm done. Just hang a banner across the store front saying "We Don't Want Your Business!! and WE DON'T CARE!!".
So now I just got off the phone with Kubota, from whom I bought a GREAT riding mower. In two days I have a solid appointment for service at my home as well as having my belt put back on and a thorough trouble-shooting inspection to locate the problem. They always return calls, have knowledgeable, very friendly service people, and are always straight forward and are very efficient. If they say it's going to take 2 weeks or a month, that's what it takes. If they say they'll call me back before noon, they call back before noon, with apologies it took so long. AND they aren't chronically "SHORT STAFFED". I've been dealing with Kubota for 4 years and it's smooth as butter on a warm day. There's a reason they have a thriving business with plenty of staff. read more