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John Deere Sucks
L-111 Lawn Tractor - Complaint
Review by bobandmarcy on 2012-04-14
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SPRING GROVESPRING GROVE, ILLINOIS -- I bought a JD l-111 lawn tractor because I fell for their bs about it being a quality product that Wii last a lifetime, well the one I bought had a very short life span before the transmission died and JD wanted one thousand eighty dollars plus tax to fix a lawn tractor that had only been gently used for five seasons and serviced by a JD dealer every year since it was purchased. We complained to JD corporate but they were less sympathetic than the local dealer. JD corporate basically said too bad, your warranty expired, go suck an egg or pay up to fix it. They wouldn't even offer to assist in our dealings with the dealer, saying the dealers are independent and JD policy is that they don't get in between dealers and customers. Don't you just love a company that stands so firmly behind their products? I thought spending more up front to buy so called quality would save me more in the long run. Boy was I wrong about that and about JD quality. I am now the not so proud owner of a green and yellow boat anchor. Think twice before they suck you into their bs about quality.
Comments:
Posted by BigAl on 2012-04-14:
At what point should John Deere no longer pay for out of warranty claims? You have a warranty period so that any manufacturing defects will be evident. If 5 years of use did not produce a failure I seriously doubt that there was a defect in manufacturing. It's always a bummer when a misfortune like this happens but to blame the manufacturer for not pressuring the dealer does not make sense. The dealer did not build this machine. You may be surprised that your statement of gentle use for 5 years does not carry much weight. I have been in the repair field for many years and this is a common statement.
Posted by trmn8r on 2012-04-14:
I know a guy who bought old Simplicity tractors, fixed em and resold them. Then he switched to Deere products because of their popularity. However, he told me they we made (generally speaking) like cr*p and the only thing good about them to him was continuing to be able to make money.
I'm still using my 1974 Simplicity. I don't have an automatic transmission, but it runs great!
Sorry to hear about your problem, but it is 5 years old. I think it had a two year warranty. This is good information for others to see.
I'm still using my 1974 Simplicity. I don't have an automatic transmission, but it runs great!
Sorry to hear about your problem, but it is 5 years old. I think it had a two year warranty. This is good information for others to see.
Posted by Starlord on 2012-04-14:
We buy our dog food at a tractor place that deals in Kubota tractors. as you enter, the first desk has a sign on it, 'Friends don't let friends drive Deere.' lol
Posted by FoDaddy19 on 2012-04-14:
I haven't been terribly impressed with my JD LT166 either. I've had it since new for about 8 or 9 years now. So far It's been through 3 batteries, an alternator, and a mower deck. The mower deck developed holes in it from the inside of the deck. ( I was told that this happened because of the sand in the soil that causes a sandblasting effect when the blades are engaged. Of course none of my neighbors seem to have this problem.) Also the the plastic supports that attach to the plastic hood broke, So now you have to physically lift the hood off the mower to check the oil. JD will happily sell me a replacement hood assembly for $380 plus the $60 decal kit.
On the other hand my dad's 30 year old John Deere 317 has been built proof, it's all steel and has been in regular service for decades, needing only one engine rebuild and some pulleys on the deck replaced over the years. They don't make them like that anymore.
With that said, after 5 years, I wouldn't expect them to cover repairs. It's unreasonable to expect any company to do anything for you after the warranty period has expired more than twice over. It would've been a nice gesture if they had helped you out, but I can't fault them for not doing so.
On the other hand my dad's 30 year old John Deere 317 has been built proof, it's all steel and has been in regular service for decades, needing only one engine rebuild and some pulleys on the deck replaced over the years. They don't make them like that anymore.
With that said, after 5 years, I wouldn't expect them to cover repairs. It's unreasonable to expect any company to do anything for you after the warranty period has expired more than twice over. It would've been a nice gesture if they had helped you out, but I can't fault them for not doing so.
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