Red Barn Equipment

Hello this is Red Barn Equipment responding to this claim.It is important to note that it appears per his information that we sold the customer his tractor in for $6,500. This should be clarified, as we did not sell the customer this tractor. The customer
contacted us to repair his tractor.The customer asked how much it would cost to fix his tractor. He told us that someone else estimated he would spend $2,to fix the tractor. We told him that without starting on the project, it is uncertain what will be spent to correct the problem. He verbally authorized for us to start the project. Throughout the repair process, the customer was notified that certain tasks/inspections needed to be performed (ie cylinder head inspection). He was informed that these tasks should be what is needed to correct the problem with the tractor. At the time, costs of the tasks/inspections were unknown as they had not been initiated. We made this very clear. At each of these points, he verbally gave us the "go ahead" to make the repair to his tractor. We were told to continue with the repairs since they were needed to correct the problem he had entrusted us to correct. Had we been told to stop the repair process at any point, we would certainly have done so, as our business does not operate without the customer's consent. We were very clear in communication each time we discovered something the customer needed to be informed of, (see above "...and told me what needed to be done along the way").As per the customer's claim that, "I was not given the opportunity to decline service based on cost of repairing the tractor," he was called and each time we discussed the repair project, he told us to continue with the project until completion.- The Red Barn Team

Greetings,In an effort to work with our customer, we have made an agreement with [redacted]. to accept a partial payment on his account.  We have received this payment.  We have also made an agreement with [redacted]. to pay the balance owed on his account over a three month period with three equal payments.Thank you,- Red Barn Equipment

I am rejecting this response because:My apologies, I did not mean to imply the tractor was purchased at Red Barn, it was not.  I only added that statement to let you know what was paid for the tractor and when.I brought the tractor in to Red Barn for a diagnosis and cost estimate for the repairs needed. In addition, I informed Red Barn that I had previously rejected an estimate of $2,500.00 from another mechanic as being too costly.At no point did Red Barn ever contact me to communicate a cost estimate and receive prior approval for the estimated cost of a repair. I would initiate 90% of the contact to check status on my tractor and at that point was told about repairs after they had already been done. I asked them what the repair costs would be, and each time, Red Barn responded that they had no idea. I was not given a fair opportunity to pre-approve or pre-decline any of the work based on the estimated cost to repair.  As a consumer, I rely on the expertise of the business owner to communicate cost and to give all the information necessary for me to make a decision on repair.  I would never sink that much money into this tractor.  I declined to spend $2,500, so why would I spend over $3,300.  I was told by the owner he has close to 30 years  in this business, they should be able to give a fair estimate and know about how much a particular repair should run.  The other shop was able to give me an estimate based on their experience, Red Barn should do the same.  They were well aware of the previous estimate and that I brought it to them due to the cost of the previous estimate.  They had my tractor for close to 5 weeks and I needed it back badly in order to take care of my ranch.  I felt like they had my tractor and I had no choice but to have them finish the repair since it was at their shop all taken apart.   I have no complaints about their quality of work.  My only problem is that I was not informed of the cost.  I would have never authorized this amount.  Had I been given at least an estimate along the way, as I asked several times, I would not have authorized the work.  I would never have put myself in this financial situation nor would I expect work to be done for free.  I would never put any business in a position where they would lose money on a job, but had they given me the information they should have, we would not be in this situation. Thank you for your consideration and time in the matter,  [redacted]

Review: I took my tractor in to Red Barn Equipment for repair on April 10, 2015. I asked for an estimate of repair multiple times and each time I was told we do not know the cost to repair. The work was complete without my written or verbal approval for cost to repair my [redacted] Ferguson 275 tractor. They had the tractor for almost 5 weeks and told me what needed to be done along the way, but never told me the cost after I asked them multiple times. The tractor was finally fixed and I picked it up on May 12, 2015. At that time a price was still not quoted and I finally revived the invoice on June 2nd, 2015 in the amount of $3,338.24. I was not given the opportunity to decline service based on cost of repairing the tractor.Desired Settlement: Based on the value of the tractor I would not have authorized a repair of over $1,500.00. That is the maximum I would have authorized to repair the tractor.

Business

Response:

Hello this is Red Barn Equipment responding to this claim.It is important to note that it appears per his information that we sold the customer his tractor in 2013 for $6,500. This should be clarified, as we did not sell the customer this tractor. The customer contacted us to repair his tractor.The customer asked how much it would cost to fix his tractor. He told us that someone else estimated he would spend $2,500 to fix the tractor. We told him that without starting on the project, it is uncertain what will be spent to correct the problem. He verbally authorized for us to start the project. Throughout the repair process, the customer was notified that certain tasks/inspections needed to be performed (ie cylinder head inspection). He was informed that these tasks should be what is needed to correct the problem with the tractor. At the time, costs of the tasks/inspections were unknown as they had not been initiated. We made this very clear. At each of these points, he verbally gave us the "go ahead" to make the repair to his tractor. We were told to continue with the repairs since they were needed to correct the problem he had entrusted us to correct. Had we been told to stop the repair process at any point, we would certainly have done so, as our business does not operate without the customer's consent. We were very clear in communication each time we discovered something the customer needed to be informed of, (see above "...and told me what needed to be done along the way").As per the customer's claim that, "I was not given the opportunity to decline service based on cost of repairing the tractor," he was called and each time we discussed the repair project, he told us to continue with the project until completion.- The Red Barn Team

Consumer

Response:

I am rejecting this response because:My apologies, I did not mean to imply the tractor was purchased at Red Barn, it was not. I only added that statement to let you know what was paid for the tractor and when.I brought the tractor in to Red Barn for a diagnosis and cost estimate for the repairs needed. In addition, I informed Red Barn that I had previously rejected an estimate of $2,500.00 from another mechanic as being too costly.At no point did Red Barn ever contact me to communicate a cost estimate and receive prior approval for the estimated cost of a repair. I would initiate 90% of the contact to check status on my tractor and at that point was told about repairs after they had already been done. I asked them what the repair costs would be, and each time, Red Barn responded that they had no idea. I was not given a fair opportunity to pre-approve or pre-decline any of the work based on the estimated cost to repair. As a consumer, I rely on the expertise of the business owner to communicate cost and to give all the information necessary for me to make a decision on repair. I would never sink that much money into this tractor. I declined to spend $2,500, so why would I spend over $3,300. I was told by the owner he has close to 30 years in this business, they should be able to give a fair estimate and know about how much a particular repair should run. The other shop was able to give me an estimate based on their experience, Red Barn should do the same. They were well aware of the previous estimate and that I brought it to them due to the cost of the previous estimate. They had my tractor for close to 5 weeks and I needed it back badly in order to take care of my ranch. I felt like they had my tractor and I had no choice but to have them finish the repair since it was at their shop all taken apart. I have no complaints about their quality of work. My only problem is that I was not informed of the cost. I would have never authorized this amount. Had I been given at least an estimate along the way, as I asked several times, I would not have authorized the work. I would never have put myself in this financial situation nor would I expect work to be done for free. I would never put any business in a position where they would lose money on a job, but had they given me the information they should have, we would not be in this situation. Thank you for your consideration and time in the matter, [redacted]

Business

Response:

Greetings,In an effort to work with our customer, we have made an agreement with [redacted]. to accept a partial payment on his account. We have received this payment. We have also made an agreement with [redacted]. to pay the balance owed on his account over a three month period with three equal payments.Thank you,- Red Barn Equipment

Consumer

Response:

I am rejecting this response because:We originally came to the Revdex.com to determine if Red Barn Equipment was acting ethically and conducting fair business practices within the law and we wanted the Revdex.com to determine a fair amount of money they should be compensated based on their negligence of informing me as a consumer of the costs of repairs. We came to you as a mediator, we are not experts on the law. I just want to get a fair, unbiased resolution of this situation and I want the Revdex.com recommended resolution. As a consumer I feel that costs of repairs should be given in a written estimate and then approval should be given BEFORE work is performed. These are the facts:1. Work as continually performed WITHOUT prior authorization or approval, this is undisputed. 2. I asked numerous times the cost of repair AFTER the work was already complete. They continually said they did not know. This is also undisputed. Now they are saying they never told us to stop work based on price???? How can I tell them to stopwork based on information THEY were unwilling to provide when asked?? 3. I would have never agreed to spend that amount of money on repair of this tractor.As far as the payment plan, that agreement was reached under distress. They are calling me and disturbing me at my work. Bottom line, I was relying on the Revdex.com to reach a fair agreement based on if they did work legally using fair business practices. We will honor whatever decision you think isfair to resolve this issue. They have been paid $1,800.00. In my originalcomplaint, I said $1,500.00 was what I thought was fair.This has caused me an incredible amount of stress and I really want the whole thing to be resolved in a quick and fair manner. Please make a recommendation as soon as possible and I will honor your decision.Thank you again for your time and consideration, [redacted]