New Tractor replaces 2166

Amick, I want to thank you for for help when I posted a question on the other site. I had purchased a CC2186 with 6 hours on it that had been returned to s'EWOL that was still not running right after their CC service people had worked on it. With your reply I was able to fix it for less than $2. The fuel line between the fuel pump and the carb had a kink in it and when heat built up under the hood after about 20 minutes of operation the fuel supply to the carb was totally shut off. Thank God I only paid $2500 for this tractor, which has been great. If I had paid the $3699 s'EWOL was getting for this unit, I'd be real upset with the new pricing structure.

With the same purchase there were issues with s'EWOL over getting the warranty registered with CC. It took 6 trips to the store and twice as many phone calls. Their people don't know what they are doing and don't care. It was a terrible experience and made the "good deal" I got on the tractor not worthwhile. I got the impression they were mad at me for negotiating the deal on the tractor they couldn't fix. I tell everyone NOT to buy equipment from s'EWOL and hope you are sucessful in burying them with the new CC lineup, even though I suspect CC did what they did for them. s'EWOL probably has enough leverage with their purchasing level to dictate what they want CC to do. s'EWOL and the other big box store likely will be the downfall of CC and JD.

I also bought my 2166 from sewoL and it luckily worked out OK.But still wonder about the warranty.They did not send it in turned out the paper work was with my operators manual.I did get it sighned at sewoL and mailed it in my self.But have yet to here anything from Cubcadet or MTD or who ever.I did not get a stainless cup.Not that I give a damn.But would be nice to know it is covered.If I had to take it to the Cub dealer who said he would work on it if needed.He might not do any warranty work if some how the papers were filed in the trash can at main head quarters.Makes me feel Cubcadet does not recognise you if it was bought in the box store and not the dealer.

As for the value dropping on the 2166 I guess you just have to keep them and take care of them so you get your money out of them that way.There built good and should last for many years.So that should not be hard to do.

I think Cubcadet is more into sales then service and could care less about the customer.Because the customer service gives me this feeling.When prices drop and you get more features there has to be a reason. There sales are down would be my guess.If the prices drop they have to cut corners some place.

I just bought a Deere LX277 and did not even look at a Cub in its price range.I know I could have had a garden tractor and a nice one at that if I went with a Cubcadet.But I was just not sure about where there headed.The Deere future seems still on top.The L series at the other box store does not give me this uncertain feeling about Deere.If they start selling the LT series and LX then I will wonder however.

Do not get me wrong I love my 2166 and have a great respect for all Cubcadets.But it appears to me there heading for mass production rather then quality production when the prices drop.

Fact: John Deere sold more John Deere branded tractors at the BOX STORE this year than Cub Cadet branded tractors that were sold though Box Stores. I remember JD quoteing that in the 21 century they probably wouldn't need a dealer. I think HD can get anything they want for Deere if they ask. Everyone thinks this relationship with Box Stores is fine but time will tell.
Fact: John Deere dealers get $35.00 a tractor for asembly and making sure they are ready to sell at HD. Then he gets $35.00 a tractor when he gets the warranty card from HD and calls customer and sends card to JD.
Fact: HD sells 500 tractors at the local store and dealer puts every one together and checks, he gets $35,000 from this venture. His expenses are another full time employee, another truck for this employee to go to the HD store and put together tractors, Tools , Fuel for the truck, Insurance on the truck, He is liable for lawsuits if his employee does something wrong when assembling the tractor. His phone will ring with many questions about warranty related issues and most of these sales will result in the homeowner serviceing their own tractor. I can't see how the JD dealer will continue to be profitable unless he gets the other (LX and larger tractor sales).Time will tell. As for the way I use a calculator it looks like the numbers end up in the RED.:grapevine

Sergeant: I don't stock the Husqvarna Garden Tractor's but I'll check and get back to you.

I think there will be changes at sewoL this year.They will only carry the 1000 series Cubcadets and not the 2000 series models.I feel this is why they came out with a larger line of 1000 series tractors.I look for the 2000 series models and above to be dealer only models.

Just like the L and G series at the other box store is all they get.The differance between the Deere and Cub are easy to see.If you walk into get the Deere box store tractor it is serviced and ready to go deck leveled and all.Plus it has the servicing dealer tag on the tractor.So you know who to contact.However the Cubcadet box store tractors are sitting there not serviced and ready to go.You have to level the deck and it you need service from a servicing dealer.Your on your own to find one that will be willing to help you out.Sure you can bring it back to the store and they will send it in for you.But this is a bad way of doing business.It is a gamble that so far I have luckily did OK on.Maybe im to fussy.But there is no way I would take my 2166 to the store to be picked up and taken to who knows where and worked on by who knows who.I would forget the warranty and pay out of my pocket before doing this.

The Deere box store deal is a better arangment.I knew this at the time I went with the 2166.However the L series just is not even close to comparing to the qualitry of the 2166.That is why I was forced into sewoL.If I wanted a box store tractor.

If they would only allow the 1000 series in the box store I think it would be better for everyone both dealers and consumers.Because it would take the pressure off the dealers and help keep the trade values up on the 2000 series line.Seems to be working for Deere anyway.Then make it worth while for the Cub dealers to service these 1000 series tractors that come from the box store.But it appears to me Cub just does not take care of there dealers like they should.They should wake up before it is to late for them.