Hey can y'all give me some advice?

I go pick em up late yesterday (most of the fellers had gone home. Got the bill...they charged me $75 for the labor!!

I paid it cause I wanted to get the tires on the tractor, but I wasn't pleased. I didn't argue with the man at the parts counter cause he has nothing to do with it....but I am planning to call the owner of the dealer and ask him about it.

Do you guys think this is reasonable? Would you make a fuss or just swaller hard?
I buy lots of stuff from em (lube, filters, belts, etc..) and the owner is my neighbor up the road (our kids play together).....so I don't know what to do.

They quoted you $16. If it cost more than that (and it very likely could have cost $60 extra...) There should be an explination.

So far they quoted you $16 for labor, & charged you $75 for labor - something is not right. If they added parts like a liner, that should be listed in the bill.

So, I would ask. As you & others say, I would not be mad or upset - just walk in and ask. No harm done as long as you are friendly about it.

Could be the sand blasting or so - would not be a problem, but it really should be explained to you.

--->Paul

Hmmmmm, Dunno. You might just "ask" the guy what is going on, but don't get your hopes up.

If you've ever watched this operation of swapping tires on old rims that have been stuck together for many years, it can sometimes turn into quite a dirty, nasty job.

It took the local tire outfit here 3 days to put rears on one of my tractors that I thought had "pretty fair rims".

You might wanna give this one a little leeway.

Dunno tho,

Allan

I wouldn't squawk too loud. You might need them again sometime.

UNFORTUNATELY, $75 isn't much to spend on any repair anymore....John

That's why I wasn't sure if I should bring it up.

I'm a teeterin!

I have never changed old tires before (and these ones were sure old....SEARS brand from the late 60s early 70s I would guess...plum wore OUT!) so I don't know what you might run in to. I have changed similar tires, and sometimes have had to struggle with the beads but haven't found it to be a monumental task either.

Just let this one lay.

$75 for hanging tires that have been on since the 60s, are probably 14ply and are welded to the rim is darned well worth the price of admission.

I'd just let it alone; I wouldn't even call him.

Allan

See, that is why I ask you guys. You always have your feet firmly on the ground and it sure is reassuring to know that they are very likely playing me square as usual. This old world can make you cynical real fast and sometimes I get myself worked up over nothing.

Thanks to everybody for the calming influence, it is much appreciated.

Just watched them do it this fall on my compact fronts which are kinda beefy ag tires, and that truely was the whole process, was 10 minues from my pickup tailgate back to the pickup tailgate for the pair. He was dealing with another customer at the same time, figuring out the right tires for that guy.

If I'm understanding right? Now, if they were extra special tough, dirty, or had ever been filled than yea the price goes up some, but $5-10 per front is pretty standard around here - considering the quote was given. For fronts.

--->Paul

He's talking about tractor fronts that have been on what? 45 years? You don't just throw these things on a tire machine and change 'em in 10 minutes.

I think Brian is dealing with IH front rims that don't have a center; at the very least, it is a job requiring the spoons, not to mention the cleanup.

Big difference between tractor tires and the newer compacts. I think he got a pretty honest deal with that $75 tag.

Allan

Now, those fancy machines do cost some real money, & they gotta cover that cost. But, as I stood in the tire shop my 10 minutes, I saw 2 large water baths - can fit tractor rears in them - 2 large tire changers all automatic - sized for tractor rears. And 3 different car tire through semi sized changers. Along with an assortment of spoons & cages. One guy used a 'big blaster' of air to shoot a big truck tire to seat onto the tubeless rim. (I about filled my pants, he didn't mention he was going to do that....)

That is in addition to the 2 service trucks they have to do field work, bring out the tractor tires or semis or combines & do the job in the muddy field - full air tooled, CC, and lots of tools & jacks with a tire crane on both trucks.

They have a lot invested in tire equipment. They added on to the warehose 2 years ago, it looks like about a 60x80 wing just for tire storage - I think they keep the two trucks in the lower level of that tho, tubes & auto tires upstairs. If they don't stock it, it'll come on Tuesdays or Fridays.

You might guess they do a heck of a volume of tires. Volume & good machines & good work makes for a low overhead per tire, & they do a change pretty cheaply. They can bust loose & change out 2 tractor rears in 15 minutes with those big machines.

With the service truck he replaced one rear Ford 960 & new tube (with CC drained & refilled) & filled 2 rears on the compact with CC in 45 minutes - most of that time was waiting for the CC to flow. That bill was less than $300 - most for the tire, I believe the service call is $20. (As it's a coop, I believe I just got about $5 of that refunded to me too...)

So big, old, and difficult tires can be changed quickly, easily, & fairly low cost. Not everyone lives in an ag area that has access to a service like this tho.

I did make a young guy work all afternoon once, needed both inner tires on the plow tractor (only one dual on helped a little) changed, they did not want to come off & it was an in-field job. We both worked up a good sweat on that deal! :) Pair of 38's and tubes, I think the bill was just under $1200.

But still & all, I'm not arguing that he was overcharged. If it were me, I'd politely ask why I was quoted $8 a piece, and it cost $37.50 a piece instead. I'm sure there is a good reason. But I would like to know the reason. I'd not argue it, but I would always ask. I woulda asked the clerk when I was paying the bill, but that's just me. :) I'm not concerned the bill is _too much_ but it does make me ask when the estamate & actual are that different & no explination is offered.

Now Allan, today it has just warmed up to -1 degree, and I was sitting up all night with a sick calf (ain't making it) and a leaking hot water furnace in the house (repair man fixed it this am) so I might not be making total sense, but it's far too cold to do anything but enjoy the heat from the radiator & babble on the computer this afternoon. So don't pay too much attention to anything here. :)

--->Paul

Forget the darned tires for a minute; about that calf.

Have you tried hosing some warm beef bullion down him? I found that stuff would work wonders on a calf that was tryin' to die on me.

Hope he makes it; and you get some rest!!!!!

Allan

Cows not supposed to have calf in January here. She hid it well, & doesn't have milk either. Dropped it in the muck so it got a mouthful - sat in the cold muck overnight I'm guessing, I was not aware to be looking....

I got it tubed (colostrium & then replacer) & injected full & in 2 days got it to stand if I helped it up, but without mom's milk & now this cold snap, I think the mouthful of muck buggies got it down & out. Just too much against this one.

Always bugs me for a spell. :(

--->Paul

I've taken the little darlin's into the house and put 'em in the bathtub on more than one occasion.

Darned dairy cows drop every day of the year.

Good Luck,

Allan

I'll expect the same in return when I get the bill on my 966. It just crossed the $7K mark before new year's day and they haven't even started on the little repair stuff or the painting.

When it's done, I'll be bleeding from the ears big time, so I'll be the one needing some kind words at that point. :>)

Later Dude,

Allan

Aint that all a tax write-off??

steveormary