Labuda Farm Service

One of best most honest place around. I have dealt with Labuda's over 20 years and have been satisfied with each transaction. I have a local dealer with [redacted] 5 minutes away and will not deal with them (attitude) and drive 35 minutes or more to be treated right. After all I am the customer. Tom talked me out of buying a new tractor telling me mine will last another ten years. Who talks people out of buying something. I highly recommend Labuda's to everyone who asks about tractors.

Review: THIS IS REGARDING A TRACTOR REPAIR ISSUE. IT INVOLVES REPLACEMENT OF PARTS THAT WERE NOT AUTHORIZED BY ME. EACH PART (2 CABLES) REPLACED WAS $109.35 EACH. TOTAL BILLING WAS $218.70 PLUS LABOR. AFTER PAYING A BILL TO LABUDA WHICH WAS EXTREMELY HIGH--$725.57 FOR EVERYTHING DONE. OVER $300 OF THIS BILL WAS DUE TO REPLACING 2 CABLE LIFTS. SINCE THEN I HAD A ENGINE BELT THAT BROKE---BRAND NEW TO ME. I CALLED THE OWNER--JOHN AND ASKED ABOUT THE ENGINE BELT, HE REPLIED HE WAS NOT DRIVING THE TRACTOR. I SAID FINE. I ASKED ABOUT THE BILL OF LAST APRIL AND THE NON AUTHORIZED REPLACEMENT. I SAID I SHOULD HAVE BEEN CALLED BEFORE REPLACEMENT. HE REPLIED HE DID NOT KNOW WHY I WASN'T CALLED. HE THEN SUGGESTED THAT I TAKE MY BUSINESS SOME PLACE ELSE. NO RESTITUTION--NOTHING. THIS IS BAD BUSINESS PRACTICE. HE ([redacted]) THEN HUNG UP ON ME. I PRESUME I HAVE BEEN TREATED TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF DUE TO MY AGE AND BEING A WOMAN. I WANT RESTITUTION AND DESERVE THAT MUCH--NOT TAKE MY BUSINESS ELSEWHERE...Desired Settlement: I WANT A REFUND OF $218.70 FOR THE CABLES THAT HE SAID WAS WORN---

Business

Response:

To Whom It May Concern:

In response to the above complaint, it is our view that we treated the customer as we treat all of our customers with the highest level of respect and honesty.

To address the issue of the 2 cables that were replaced, the cables were found-to be frayed and worn to such a degree, breaking one or both was imminent. This would prevent the customer from raising or lowering the deck, thus making the machine inoperable.

The worn and frayed cables were given to the customer upon return of the tractor, so she could see that they obviously needed to be replaced.

As the customer stated, we charged her $109:35 each for the 2 cables. Enclosed is the invoice from the company we purchased the cables from. Our purchase price was $ 109.39, which equates to no profit for us.

The $95.00 labor charged to the customer included replacement of the two cables, welding the seat pan, and the seat bracket.

As for the complaint about the total of $725.57, this included a complete service at $125.00, a $50.00 discount off of our advertised price.of $175.00. Also included were the routine maintenance parts,: pick-up and delivery, and the repair of another mower. Please see our enclosed invoice # 100746 for review. The customer never requested an estimate and was given the opportunity to pay in installments at no fee. The customer has’made regular payments each month.

We were made aware of an engine belt issue-5 months after the original repairs were made.' This issue is separate and unrelated to the work that was done in April and this was explained to the customer. The customer stated that they were not paying for any future repair work to the tractor. We were surprised at this statement, as we were sure the customer was very satisfied with the previous repair.

In our opinion, this customer is frustrated with the amount of repairs and maintenance this 20-25 year old diesel-compact utility tractor requires. We have made every possible attempt to repair and maintain the tractor in a fair and honest way.

In response to the customer’s request that-we refund the cost of the cables, we are unable to comply with that request for the following reasons: The customer did not reveal or disclose any dissatisfaction about the repairs we made or the cost of the repairs when the tractor was returned. She only became dissatisfied when a belt broke on the tractor, which was completely unrelated to any repairs we completed on the tractor. This was five months after we worked on her tractor and after she already paid for the repairs we

did.

We are a local family owned and operated business and greatly enjoy assisting and working with our customers. As a testament to our business practices and integrity, we have been in business for 85 years serving the community.

Please let us know if any additional information is needed.

Consumer

Response:

I DID NOT REQUEST CABLES TO BE CHANGED. I CAN USE MOWER DECK IF CABLES BROKE. I NORMALLY DO NO LIFT THE MOWER DECK. I WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF CABLES BEING WORN AND THAT THEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I H AD TO MAKE PAYMENTS EACH MONTH AS BILL WAS ENTIRELY TOO HIGH FOR MY INCOME. I GAVE LABUDA A LIST OF WHAT I WANTED DONE---NOTHING ELSE. THEY CHOSE TO DO WHATEVER THEY CHOOSE. YES, I AM REJECTING LABUDAS RESPONSE. I HAVE BEEN LONG TIME CUSTOMER. [redacted] WAS RUDE AND YES I ASKED ABOUT ENGINE BELT. HE ULTIMATELY TOLD ME TO TAKE MY BUSINESS ELSHEWHERE. POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE INDEED. IN SHORT, I SHOULD HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF CABLES AND IF I WANTED THEM TO BE REPLACED---WAS NOT HIS DECISION TO DO WHATEVER HE WANTED. I AM ON A FIXED INCOME.... YOU SAW THE BILL--RIDICULOUS...