Surprisingly good service!

I went to the local JD lawn & garden dealer (Reisterer & Schnell) who does L&G, and only L&G tools. I picked up a small clip for Dad that holds the side panels on his 425. I'm using it this year until I can afford to buy a large enough one for myself, as I've got over 2 acres to cut and a 36" home cheapo model just won;t do it for me.

I asked about new blades and wheels for the deck, and they had everything in stock, the guy was fairly knowledgable and was great help. I even asked him a few questions on the Stihl trimmers as they carry Stihl power equipment as well. Took me right over to the wall they were on, explained a few of the differences and options, and left it at that. Didn't push to make a sale, and was genuinely helpful.

I spent just under $200, but now the tractor cuts like new again and doesn't scalp the lawn anymore that it's been fixed up a little bit.

Haven't been to JD dealers much as we only have a 495A planter, Van Brunt grain drill, and a small disk that's JD, other than the lawn tractor. Can't say we need JD support all to often, but I may be tempted to stop there more often for parts for the 425, or to possibly even buy a new rider for myself.

Hard to find good help anymore, but this one was definately helpful.

Donovan from Wisconsin

Individual people make a big difference.

The best parts man our local JD dealer ever had just retired. The rest of them are a bunch of dorks.

The 425 is a good machine Have a friend thar has the diesel version of that I think it is a 455. He loves it a bit pricey but he has all kinds of money for toys he has over $40,000 in "G' scale engines."model R/R". My toy buying is small compaired to his. I have found that in the garden tractors the prices for parts from JD are better than most other dealers.

I tried to tell the company that fired me. Good customer service is what counts. But I was told my way was old and out of date. Sales is the future.

I actually had 2 guys help me. The first guy was older and was helping me, but then had to go to the phone so he grabbed another guy, told him what I was looking for and went to the phone to help a guy. A sales man shouted form across the room asking whats the oil filter for a L110. He just calmly looked up and rattled off 8 or 10 numbers that must go to a filter and went back to helping me.

Not too many people can do that, even if probably 90% of their lawn tractors use the same filter. Good part is the second guy looked to be in maybe his late 30's so hopefully he's around for a while.

Donovan from Wisconsin

Donovan when looking for a mower consider looking for a used commercial front deck mower. My wife and I gave up on the standard "lawn Tractor" and bought a used new holland CM274 it has a 6' deck 28 hp diesel engine 4x4 hydrastat trasmision and will mow at 10 mph (if your lawn is smooth enough). JD has some nice models too f235? These are 25k machines new but we picked ours up for 5 grand with 1200 hrs on a diesel engine. Many school districts (where ours came from) parks cities, etc. buy them new then sell them on auction after 5 yrs or so.

I go to the second closest case/ih dealer from us because of the service. I can look up the parts and when I call them to give them the part numbers, they actually know that it is me that is calling, and they don"t have caller id. And I don"t buy a whole lot of stuff, but they treat me just as good as the guys that buy the big stuff.