My view, most of the advice people are giving is the same, but the key in here is timing and ability to do some of the things people suggest. So yeah, he can go to another dealer and get a different deal (whether JD or Kubota). But the question is whether now is the time to do that.
Chimpywrench signed an invoice and had it delivered. To be fair I said to him "get it delivered and see if you like it" and I didn't say to him "make sure you do a pre-delivery inspection because that tractor's been on some other dealer's lot." Nobody else said that either.
Recap the situation.
Chimpywrench has done a lot of research, he's chosen the BX as the tractor he wants, for what seem like good reasons. Other people think the position control is important, he doesn't, that's his prerogative. Lots of BXs get sold, so it's obviously not the deal breaker for everyone that it is for some. A JD may also be a good tractor, but for Chimpywrench's specific needs and in his opinion, it isn't the best tractor. So he's looking for a BX.
Chimpwrench has a tractor at his house. He doesn't want it, we all agree he shouldn't want it nor have to have it. His dealer has now been and seen it, and has said that he'll get him another tractor, an actual brand new one this time. He's agreed that tractor is no good. He's offered a good deal on implements to go with it.
Chimpywrench wanted the tractor soon so he could do chores with it. That time has gone, it's winter now. So he has time, it's not urgent (other than the annoyance of messing around with it).
He basically has three options:
- See what this dealer will do for him. Advantage is not getting into a big argument about the fact he signed the invoice. Another advantage is that his second choice Kubota dealer is actually the one who fobbed this tractor off, so no reason to think they're any better than this dealer. His third choice dealer is a long way away. Not the end of the world, but not ideal. So if this dealer comes good, that's a really good outcome, and he has time to wait and find out. He can cancel the deal later, and when the new tractor comes he can inspect it pre-delivery and make sure both that it's genuinely new, and that all the dealer install items are done properly. Annoying yes, but at the end of that journey he has the tractor he wants, and a local dealer that he has a reasonable relationship with. And it doesn't close down the choice to move to option 2 or 3 at a later date.
- Tell the dealer to take the tractor back, and go to another Kubota dealer. Advantage of not having to work with this dealer any more, and he doesn't seem all that good. Disadvantage that the second choice dealer is the one that started with this tractor, and that a further away dealer is further away. Disadvantage of having to argue about having signed the invoice. Disadvantage of being work to go and get a deal with another dealer - start all over. Disadvantage that the deal may be worse (or may be better, who knows till you ask). Disadvantage of being a one way trip - once you say you're doing that, there's no going back to this dealer. So choosing option 2 means you can't go back to option 1.
- Tell the dealer to take the tractor back, go to a JD dealer. Advantage of not working with this dealer any more. Advantage of feeling smug that you stuck it to Kubota by not buying one tractor that they'll never notice. Disadvantage that you looked at tractors and decided you wanted a BX. So a JD is a less good tractor for you. Disadvantage of lots of research and planning on implements and how you'll use it. Disadvantage of having to argue with this dealer over that signed invoice, and of closing down option 1 as being possible (again a one way trip).
As I've said before, I think there are two decision points here.
Firstly, do you want a BX. If you do, makes no sense to buy a JD. If you actually would rather have a JD, then makes no sense to buy a BX. That's just a factual discussion. I believe that Chimpywrench has decided he wants a BX, so it's a bit pointless recommending he buy a JD - that just means having the wrong tractor until you sell it again.
If you want a BX, then it's this dealer or another dealer. You're no longer in a hurry, and this dealer has promised to fix it. The path of least resistance is to let him fix it, but watch it like an eagle to make sure it's right this time. At any point you can decide to change to another dealer.
Going to another dealer now is much more work - both in research and quoting, and in arguing about the fact you've signed an invoice. Sure, he has rights and he'll get out of it if he pushes, but not everyone wants to do that. Sticking with this dealer now doesn't stop you from going to another dealer later. Going to another dealer now is harder, and stops you coming back to this dealer later.
Unless someone can explain exactly what Chimpywrench is losing by letting this dealer have a chance to fix it, then really what you're doing is being keyboard warriors, saying "I'm a big man and I wouldn't put up with that." It's not all about ego, it's about getting what you want. The dealer says he'll give him what he wants. Maybe he will and maybe he won't, but it doesn't hurt to give him a chance. Also, the dealer knows that Chimpywrench is gonna be over this like a rash, I presume he'll put his best guy on prepping the new tractor, not the intern like it seems he used last time. Certainly wouldn't hurt Chimpywrench suggesting that to the dealer so that he's ready for it.