Rant--Big Co. depends on one man

I called Allstates Ag Parts in -I guess Sikeston Mo-yesterday morning, looking for the complete nose sheet metal, grille and all,for a 1955 oliver super 55. The guy on the other end, says he will check his 7 sites, and get back to me. No calls yet, so I called the same number, around 9am today, and reinterated my request, to a lady, which told me she would call back. Got a call from her around 10am, saying that the man I talked to yesterday, was gone for the weekend, and I would have to wait till monday. Now I wonder if that Company depends on the presence of One employee, or if they can't afford to hire anyone else. Maybe if I was ordering a $30.000 dollar combine part, perhaps I could have got waited on. Feeling insignifigant...

How long have you known you needed all those parts? Don't get your undies in a knot-remember he has to check seven (7) lllllll sites. Probably not all inventory is computer cataloged. just my .02 worth gobble

I've been to Sikeston. You're probably right about the one man operation.

"Failing to plan on your part does not constitute an emergency on our part"

One thing I've learned working on old tractors is patience. Takes time to woo a seller or time to let a buyer make up his mind.
Takes time for ordering, shipping or even finding an item sometimes.
I've been looking for a particular hood panel for a 65-68 Ford for over two years now. Ran ads here at YT a few times, watched Ebay, Craigslist, called tractor yards, etc.
One finally came up on Ebay this week. I bought it and hopefully if the seller is prompt with shipping it will be here sometime next week.
Meanwhile I didn't miss a meal or lose any sleep over it. I just know it all takes time.

Hi, Ralph- There's a guy in Texas named Kent something- he has parted out over 50 Oliver S55's and 550's- he'll surely have what you need. Post over on the Oliver board- somebody will have his contact information.

Mike

Well maybe I am wrong( have been before) however it's not about needing those parts imediately, or not having adequate patience, It is about getting waited on, so I know if they have it or not, and if I have to look elsewhere, and since when does a computer search of their other sites, to see if they are available, depend on only one employee? I am glad our auto wercking yards, in this area don't operate like that!

There is a IH mainly wrecking yard here in Ohio well known for NOT EVER calling anyone back. I don't know how they ever built up such a big business that way ,but they sure did.

Ralph, I'm with you. Poor customer service does not feel good, and unless forced ain't going to get my money.

Two places here local for me to buy the tin/metal for my new building, guessing between roof and walls going to cost $5,000.00. A big chunk of money for me in this economy. I'm getting very bad service from both, went in Monday, left my plans, talked to the reps, both said they will get back to me Monday.

It is Friday, I called and both said oh sorry, we have been so busy, will get back to you later today. It is 4:15pm here, nothing. I'm looking for new vendor.

I'm a good customer, I'm resonable, I pay when I recieve and I only expect good customer service. Not getting it I go somewhere else. The point here, is do what you say you will do. If they had said I'll call you Friday, I would not have expected a call Tuesday.


L.

I won"t call them again. I called last week and their computer generated female voice told me that all their parts specialists were busy, then hung up on me. I"d rather do without.

Maybe you're not his only customer?

I hate it when the parts yards tell me that. I'd rather just get in the truck and drive there and check for myself.
Just FYI,somebody on here was looking for Super 55 parts a year or two ago. I told them to try Reuters in Grant Michigan. Seems like it was a gas tank,but they had it.

I guess I agree with those reccomending paticence. As to comparing auto salvage with farm equipment salvage,there is a lot of difference based on my experiences. Ag equipment salvage buyers compete with several others at auctions to buy compared to auto salvage competing with only other auto salvage not to mention cars they aquire through"just get it out of my sight". I rarly get wrong,worn out or broken parts from Ag dealers. Not so with the auto yards. Most will tow a car then sell motor,transmission,starter or anything without a clue what condition it is in. I often bid aginst Ag salvage on running equipment. It is not uncommon for a place selling both new and used equipment to have only one"go to man"on used stuff where as most anyone there can look up a part # if you furnish enough info.

THERE IS A 55 NOSE CONE ON EVIL BAY!! I am with you most out fits rarely call back. And yes i have seen a lot of big out fits basically be a one person show.

Check Eagle Metal in Spartanburg.

Try Kent Gordon in Texas. 903-729-8349 or e-mail him at [email protected]

Good luck

I would try Meyers Tractor Salvage in Aberdeen SD. I was there picking up parts last week and they had lots of oliver parts and lots of JD 2 cylinder parts also. Mike

I did some calling around the other week shopping around and pricing insurance for my service truck along with business liability insurance. Talked to a guy at one place first of the week who said he'd call me back toward the end of the week, which he did. Bad thing is I plainly told him the truck needed a minimum of a million dollar commercial policy (by law) but he only priced if for half a million. So, he was supposed to recalulate and call me Monday of the following week. Monday came and went so I called myself on Tuesday. Turns out the guy went on vacation and wouldn't be back for a week. Lady I talked to asked if I wanted to 'start over' and talk to another agent but I told her don't bother. I figure if the guy didn't know enough about the policies to know what was required by law, and then didn't follow through with his promise to call me back but went on vacation instead, I didn't want to deal with an agency that would hire people like that because who's to say that all of the agents weren't just like that......and if I'm paying big money for insurance I want to know the people who are selling it to me know what they are doing for my sake should I ever need it.........

Call Dave at Colfax Tractor 515-674-3001, they have a 800# but I can t find it.