Out of warranty, and the consumer gets to do the work?

drglinski · #1 09-29-2016, 06:22 PM

I bought a Huskee MTD push mower for my new home in May of 2011. I used it for a year, then bought my 147 that I primarily use for mowing. Other than the trim mowing I do with the MTD, I don't use it that much. Fast forward to a couple of weeks ago; I went to start it up and I heard this loud BANG. Here is the blade, the blade adapter (thing that attaches the blade to the crankshaft) and the grade 8 bolt sitting in pieces on the ground. The bolt snapped in half and gernaded the adapter in pieces. Look up the warranty- it expired in 2013. (figures.) Whatever, I can replace parts. I've been around enough parts places to know that I look up parts on my own so I get the correct ones for the best prices. Using MTD's parts finder, input the model #. Pulls up Huskee mower Kohler engine. Yup, that's it. There's the blade adapter and subsequent part #. Go ahead and order it via online. It shows up today and it doesn't fit the crankshaft.

The part number on the bag that the adapter came in is showing the correct part #. Researching the mower model # AGAIN on the MTD website, it lists the part I bought as the CORRECT PART and part number.

However, further scrolling shows an additional blade adapter that is different that is also acceptable for my mower. At this point I'm

I go to contact MTD and tell them their part number website sucks major butt, but all I can do is either call or chat. Fine. I'll chat. W/e. After inputting my model # and describing the discrepancy with the website, he provides me a link to a owners manual. Not what I need. Asks me what I'm looking for. I say a blade adapter. He provides me with the SAME PART NUMBER THAT I ALREADY BOUGHT!!! so it continues to get worse. If that isn't enough, after telling the guy that it is the wrong part # and he argues with me that it in fact is, he says I need to call someone else. I asked him why he can't do it and he said it's up to me to call them about their website. So at this point I'm

and done with this whole stupid experience. Not impressed. The customer has to do the work????? (I don't mind looking up part #s, I shouldn't have to be the one following up with problems with a companies website problems.)

Thankfully I've got a 46 Y.O. mower that I can rely on to work and last longer than that Made To Die POS push mower...........

(thanks for letting me vent.)

Mike McKown · #2 09-29-2016, 08:13 PM

I haven't had any experience with MTD customer service, but I know people that are so dissatisfied with them they sell the MTD stuff and go straight to the green machines.

CCC was a decent outfit. MTD sucks and so does their products IMO.

john hall · #3 09-29-2016, 09:58 PM

Made To Die, so that's what it stands for!

Actually one of the things I have liked about MTD was they are fairly easy to find parts diagrams and order parts. That said most of their stuff is CRAP. I worked way too long on my SIL Troybilt weed trimmer this spring. Long story short new fuel line, filter, plug carb and fresh gas and still can't get it to run right. I'm pretty certain the crank seals are bad. But at $140 for a new machine why bother to fix it? Crank seals are not available, but a whole block can be had for $65. Did I forget to mention the thing probably ran for 2 seasons at the most.

Tom4981 · #4 09-29-2016, 10:12 PM

MTD stands for cheap crap made in China so the greedy can live a better life.

J-Mech · #5 09-29-2016, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom4981

MTD stands for cheap crap made in China so the greedy can live a better life.

Wow.... I never read into it that far, LOL!

Daniel, I can empathize with your "rant".
Now just imagine all that frustration as the guy who was hired to work on the mower...... That's what I got tired of dealing with.

So, we can all agree that no matter the work involved, at least our 40 year old machines live on!

rocker582special · #6 09-30-2016, 12:31 AM

Well said Mike, MTD is junk. I always tell people to line up their "big box" store mowers and I'll take the old cub on the end of the row that just needs a little love any day. They don't make things like they used to.

zippy1 · #7 09-30-2016, 12:58 AM

Well Daniel, sounds like you were about ready to string the rope.

Better luck next time.

ACecil · #8 09-30-2016, 11:43 AM

It's sad that things aren't built to last anymore.

drglinski · #9 09-30-2016, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ACecil

It's sad that things aren't built to last anymore.

I was discussing that with my FIL on sunday. I said guys my age (30s) are looking at cars from the 70s-80s for Hot rods. What are guys going to do 30 years from now for the same sort of thing? (I point to his Chevy Cruze) turn that into a hot rod? Doubtful. Same goes with tractors, motorcycles, etc.

I can't wait to go to car cruise nights and see priuses and Kia rios.

Billy-O · #10 09-30-2016, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drglinski

I was discussing that with my FIL on sunday. I said guys my age (30s) are looking at cars from the 70s-80s for Hot rods. What are guys going to do 30 years from now for the same sort of thing? (I point to his Chevy Cruze) turn that into a hot rod? Doubtful. Same goes with tractors, motorcycles, etc.

I can't wait to go to car cruise nights and see priuses and Kia rios.

At least...........30 years from now, the IH Cub Cadets and all the other historic machineries and vehicles we have today will still exist.