Gravely problems, what would you do ?

[1mowlawn]

I purchased a new Gravely ZT2250, last thursday night, I used aprox. 2 hours before it started sounding terrible, could barely finish my lawn, at this point I'm totally pissed. I leave a message at the dealer, I won't go into what I said because young children way be reading these threads. The service dept. finds black plastic material in the carb. which ruined the carb. so they have to replace the carb., still runs like ****. After calling the factory they discover that a wrong part was installed in the engines govenor. So gravely is shipping these brand new machines with the wrong parts. I don't know what you guys would do but I blew up ! I demanded a new machine ASAP ! since I've bend down since Friday and mainly because I'm not at all satisfied. I think a different machine or my money back is not unreasonable! They finally offered me a loaner demo model which I love, it has a 23hp kaw, they other machine had a 22hp Briggs commericial.

Response from all you guys- Please !

[Richard Martin]

It sounds like you're barking up the wrong tree. What you should do is ***** at the Briggs and Stratton guys. Gravely didn't make the engine, B&S did. I only know of one mower manufacturer that actually starts and tests every machine for up to an hour before giving it to the customer and that is Dixie Chopper. With everybody else it a guess as to what will really happen when you start using the mower.

[1mowlawn]

Your right, but the Gravely Co. decided to use this company for their engine, and they are promoting and selling the total package. I did just buy an engine I bought a complete mower that I expect to operate properly, Is that too much to ask for the amount of money that we pay for new z's ???????? still pissed off

[KDJ]

What I would do is, see if they will take your new mower in trade for the one you like. It may cost you a little cash but it will get you out of that mower. Figure the price difference between the two mower and add 200.00 - 300.00 That should make the deal.
With the Kaw motor you will recover your money soon.

[MuskTurfKing]

I can understand ya being pissed, whenever I get something new and it doesn't work right, it TICKS me off. I'd be especially pissed if it were my new mower. :angry:

Hope you get it sorted out.

Hank

[Grass_Slayer]

they should let you keep that mower since yours is a new one and that is a demo. wait for Barry to say something

[Albemarle Lawn]

I would hate to be a passenger on an airliner that was just delivered from the factory and it was on its first flight. Much more likely to have a problem.

It's too bad this has happened, but very common to have bugs on a complicated machine with many systems.

You shouldn't ***** out the dealer right off the bat, save the expletives and shouting for if they don't fix it right. Or if they blow you off.

If you are nice and the dealer is professional the dealer will want to help you, offer loaners, etc.

Ken

[1mowlawn]

Thanks for all the responses, I do think Gravely is a very good company and feel that they will make all this work out. I do find it hard to believe that this gets thru their quality control processes, as I understand it the problem persist in all these models. I know it's a Brigg engine and gravley does not make engines, but they do have the responsibility to make sure everything is right with the machines they ship out to their dealerships, also I think it should be a policy to let the customer actually cut with the model that they are interested in. If I would have got that chance I would not have bought that machine and it may have broke down at that piont. I just think is unfair they tell the customer don't worry we'll fix it, I still beleive I deserve a different machine or my money back, At this piont I would rather have my money so I could put it towards a different Gravely mower.

[Mowman]

I would tell the dealer that I'd rather have a Kolher or a Robin engine. If he couldn't give me that I'd ask for a refund and go and purchase a Toro,Exmark, or a Walker or any other commercial mower that was in my service area.
JMHO
Good Luck,
Mowman

I also think that the larger Briggs engines are not all THAT, as I think they are made over the ocean, if you know what I mean.

[Gravely_Man]

What ever happen to your problem? Was it resolved in a timely manner?

[1mowlawn]

Gravely-man, We did resolve the problem, I would not take the first mower that they fixed after about 3 weeks, I ended up buying the commericial z250 23hp Kaw, I like this machine and it is probably more suited to the type of mowing I've been doing this summer, I thought the dealership would cut me some sort of a break on the cost but they wouldn't, I paid they difference and the mower has been good so far. I don't know if I will buy anything else from this dealership though.

[Gravely_Man]

Thank you for letting me know the outcome. Was it you that had so many issues that Dan Ariens became involved? If so please let me know.

[1mowlawn]

Gravely-Man , I did call Gravely and tried to talk to Dan but did not get thru, I did leave a message though, and the next day a representative from Gravely came down to the dealership and offered his demo model which was the one I ended up buying, I still think I should have been offered a break in the price, the diference was about $1100 between the two mowers, but the dealership would not come down at all, they said take the one that was fixed or pay the difference for the demo z250. I was thinking they would give me $300 Or 400 off the demo but I paid the full price and by them doing that they probably lost a customer for future purchases.I'm pleased with the mower but not at all pleased with the way Gravely and the dealer handled the whole deal !

[Gravely_Man]

That does not sound right at all. I believe you but that is not a way to run a company. Someone else had a very bad experience and Dan Ariens ended up getting involved but that post disappeared. I am glad everything worked out for you in the end. The discount would have been a nice thing to offer you for your troubles.