Anything Ag

Initial Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2016/04/13) */
We were contacted by Mr. [redacted] to come look at a tractor that had low hydraulic power. Mr. [redacted] was asked if he had ever serviced the tractors? " no" was his reply so the recommendation was to start there, check the filters for clogs, check oil...

levels and see if that might be the problem. At the time of the first service Mr. [redacted] was notified that the tractor had metal shavings in the oil and that the hydraulic pump might be bad or there may be an issue with the internals of the tractor. Mr. [redacted] then stated " let me think about what I want to do and I will call you". at this time Mr. [redacted] did not ask for a written estimate for the services or the diagnosis of the low hydraulic power and has never requested a " WRITTEN ESTIMATE". Written Estimates in a field in the middle of no where are impossible due to 1) lack of information, 2) communication with parts houses, 3) lack of ability to split tractors and chance large oil spills 4) most of the time and presence of the owner, Most calls are from an owner to meet an operator or field worker in a location to get them back up and going ASAP! Approximately 3 weeks later Mr. [redacted] contacted us regarding fixing the tractor with the hydraulic issues. We let him know we would get back out to the field to pull the pump and check it. The pump was pulled then checked finding the tractor had broken gears that drive the hydraulic pump. There is no phone service or signal at the location of the tractor in the field. The Mechanic left, got to the shop was then able to reach Mr. [redacted] and notified him that the tractor was in need of additional work, Mr. [redacted] agreed to the additional work, this required a second trip to the location to reinstall the pump, replace fluids and get tractor started so that Mr. [redacted] could then load the tractor and tow it to our shop. The tractor was in need of " splitting" and gears replaced. Mr. woods was given our rates as well as an approximate estimate for labor, there is no way to estimate the exact cost of a repair on a tractor when the components are non visible. Mr. [redacted] was informed that we were very busy and in this industry we operate on a priority bases, during harvesting..harvesters take precedence over non peak season equipment and so on, all the time Mr. [redacted] stating there is no rush. Older tractor parts are not always in stock, meaning you must search for them. Upon finding the gears that needed to be replace Mr. [redacted] was explained to that the parts were $1300.00. We have ALL of our customers purchase their parts ( over $500.00 ) directly, We do not except credit cards and this is most often the way they want to purchase parts. Our vendors pass on our discount to the customer. Mr. [redacted] is also able to take advantage of the Ag tax at 2% ( was until 1/1/16) . The tractor parts were order and shipped directly to our shop. Mr. [redacted] then contacted us letting us know he was going to be needing his tractor as soon as possible. The tractor was repaired, put back together and Mr. [redacted] was contacted to pick it up. upon picking up the tractor Mr. [redacted] was very displeased with the bill. I was contacted and noted that Mr. [redacted] was charged the New rate as of 1/1/16. The bill was adjusted and he was contacted the same day with the corrected amount. Mr. [redacted] failed to pay his bill at the adjusted rate of $ 3676.00 including the bearings and fluids. AFTER 45 days and a notice of the delinquency had been mailed to Mr. [redacted] we get a call that he is unhappy with the bill. We explained to him the bill, the time, the added materials ( fluids, bearings ect.) totaling $316.00 Mr. [redacted] still refuses to pay his bill, states he was not given a written estimate. Mr. [redacted] clearly accepted the rates when he dropped his tractor off at our shop for the repairs. He states he was "misinformed and that if he had known we were going to put new bearings and new fluids he would have just decided to "scrap the tractor". As a business if a customer brings in a tractor for repair and has spent $1300.00 for gears that are non-returnable, I would not ever fathom them wanting to " scrap" a tractor over $ 316.00 in bearings & Fluids. His total bill was $3676.00. The original " verbal estimate" that he stated was "$ 2700.00 including parts" is false. We never give an estimate that would include parts that are incased in a tractor, You can not price out a part that has not been seen. These parts have part numbers on them and they must be pulled in order to see the part and price it out. the gears are coated in gear oil and in is impossible to see any part number, also needed is a 'tooth count" again impossible to count while incased inside the housing of the tractor. Once the tractor is split into 4 segments ( transmission housing, rear end housing, and both final drives) and disassembled down to the point that gears can be pulled there would be no way to properly quote a price on parts. Mr. [redacted] is stating that we " verbally quoted him 2400 to 2700 including parts, not true. If you add 2700 + 316 = 3016.00 this is the cost of the " verbal quote" plus the bearings and fluids, there is a difference of $660.00. We replaced the gaskets and seals as well as replaced the bearings on both finals and the ring and pinion while the tractor was torn down this far due to debris in the casings from the broken gears. This was additional hours spent working on the tractor but in order to do the job properly it is something we require. We then DID NOT bill Mr. [redacted] for the original mobile trips to pull the hydraulic pump and go back and replace it so that he could tow it in to the shop for the replacing of the gears.. Had he been billed for the mobile trips it would have cost $625.00. this is liking $ 35.00 of the amount charged. after 2 months of trying to collect on this bill we would GLADLY reduce the bill by the difference of $ 35.00 to collect the money due us. We would also ask that Mr. [redacted] please find service in the future elsewhere.