Part Ordering Question

[Trustable]

I just called the local Kubota dealer to order a new tilt pin (370-243D) for my snowblower (SB1064) as it somehow fell out and I cant find it in the snow (I'm sure come spring Ill see it in the yard or landscaping). I did take it out and throw some fluid film on it a couple days ago so I'm thinking I didn't put it back in correctly or push the cotter pin all the way through it to secure it.

When I called, they said they do not stock that part and would have to order it, which I thought is no big deal, but I would have to pay 29 dollars shipping (on a 22 dollar part) for it to get there. Whenever I have had to order stuff for automotive or specialty parts through a dealer/store I've never been charged shipping. I could see if it was being shipped to my house from LP, but this was to the dealer. I just ordered a couple of them through Messick's as it was cheaper to ship with them ($16.75) and I wont have to drive 30-40 minutes to grab it. Is this a common practice? I understand either way but I am just a bit surprised.

Thanks! Also, to prevent this from happening again, I am securing the pins with zipties so if the cotter pin does come out the part will be hanging and wont get lost.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

I just order parts from the 'parts person' and say 'no hurry'.... if not in stock(rare), they come next day, NO CHARGE for shipping.
I do see Kubota has a good markup on some items, like the oil seals I just bought. ( $60 each)..but in stock.

 

[SDT]

I just called the local Kubota dealer to order a new tilt pin (370-243D) for my snowblower (SB1064) as it somehow fell out and I cant find it in the snow (I'm sure come spring Ill see it in the yard or landscaping). I did take it out and throw some fluid film on it a couple days ago so I'm thinking I didn't put it back in correctly or push the cotter pin all the way through it to secure it.

When I called, they said they do not stock that part and would have to order it, which I thought is no big deal, but I would have to pay 29 dollars shipping (on a 22 dollar part) for it to get there. Whenever I have had to order stuff for automotive or specialty parts through a dealer/store I've never been charged shipping. I could see if it was being shipped to my house from LP, but this was to the dealer. I just ordered a couple of them through Messick's as it was cheaper to ship with them ($16.75) and I wont have to drive 30-40 minutes to grab it. Is this a common practice? I understand either way but I am just a bit surprised.

Thanks! Also, to prevent this from happening again, I am securing the pins with zipties so if the cotter pin does come out the part will be hanging and wont get lost.

Yes. Unless you specify otherwise most (all?) dealers will order customer parts on regular (next day) orders and you will be charged shipping (even if the part is not in stock at the warehouse and it is not delivered the next day).

I never pay shipping for parts.

Simply tell (insist) that the parts department put the part on their periodic stock order, and there will be no shipping charge.

All dealers place stock orders periodically but schedules vary depending upon dealer volume. My dealer placed a stock order every Wednesday and the parts would be delivered early the following week.

Plan ahead.

 

[Trustable]

Thanks @SDT & @GreensvilleJay ! Based on what the parts guy said they have never stocked that part either, so maybe that played into it? He said he can also do expedited and next day air if I'd like. The part I lost isnt really a consumable (as far as I know) so I understand why its not stocked. Im relatively new to all this stuff, only been to a Kubota dealer for parts once, and that was for an oil filter and hydraulic filters.

 

[McMXi]

I ordered a QH20 from the local Kubota dealer a few weeks ago that weighs 120 lb. I ordered it through sales and the manager added it to a container of stuff that was scheduled to ship so no shipping cost added. He told me that it might be 4 to 6 weeks but the QH showed up in less than 2 weeks.

 

[Trustable]

I ordered a QH20 from the local Kubota dealer a few weeks ago that weighs 120 lb. I ordered it through sales and the manager added it to a container of stuff that was scheduled to ship so no shipping cost added. He told me that it might be 4 to 6 weeks but the QH showed up in less than 2 weeks.

I’ll have to ask next time I need something if they can just add it to an order. I know for my snowblower they did not charge me freight.

 

[SDT]

I’ll have to ask next time I need something if they can just add it to an order. I know for my snowblower they did not charge me freight.

Whole goods and parts are entirely different situations.

 

[Trustable]

Whole goods and parts are entirely different situations.

Yeah true, didn't think of it like that. Ill be telling them to put it on a periodic parts order if I ever need to get parts they don't have in stock. I don't mind ordering from messicks though as its a 30-40 min drive one way so its about two hours by the time I leave my house and get back. With the price of gas and the time, $16.75 is easier to justify then the two hours and 3-4 gallons. if it was heavier than .5 lbs Id imagine the price would be a lot more.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

Stock order minimums is one of the reasons our service level is so good. If we don't have the part in stock (92% of the time we do) we hit the stock order minimums every time so we can get the 8% of orders out quickly without charging inbound freight costs.

 

[Trustable]

Stock order minimums is one of the reasons our service level is so good. If we don't have the part in stock (92% of the time we do) we hit the stock order minimums every time so we can get the 8% of orders out quickly without charging inbound freight costs.

Good to know! I’ve ordered a few things from you guys in the last few months, excellent customer service when I called and quick shipping times. My only complaint is FedEx won’t come up my driveway if there is snow so I usually hold it at the closest Walgreens, but that’s a me issue. I think I even bought out the existing messicks stock of shear bolts when the website only said 5 left . Of course since I have plenty now I’ve never needed one knock on wood.