John Deere, a giant in the ag sector, was having problems with technology. Deere did not want to share the diagnostic software to repair their machines, which meant that farmers and third-party mechanics had to load the equipment on a trailer and take it to a dealership.
This caused huge problems for farmers. Equipment has to run, and repairing it in the field is a lot easier than dragging it to the dealer. Time is money. Weather waits for no one.
Evidently, they reached a settlement in the long-running civil suit. That is good news for everyone involved.
"and other machinery for 10 years" Five times longer would be better.
ReplyDeleteI was inside the Moline, IL HQ one time to service some gear. I'm sure the tractor on display was older than me. The place oozed pride. Probably not so much nowadays.
Now try that with every new car built today. No way can you pull your car under a shade tree and work on it this day and time!
ReplyDeleteIn other words
ReplyDelete... plaintiffs will recover somewhere between 26% and 53% of overcharge damages, according to one of the court documents (PDF) -- far beyond the typical amount, which lands between 5% and 15%.
So John "nothing scams like a" Deere gets to keep between 47% and 74% of their ill-gotten gains, minus legal fees which are undoubtedly a small fraction of their total take.
Who says crime doesn't pay?
Deere will just count that as the cost of doing business and will pass it on to the customers, just like 'business taxes'.
Just like they do with ALL their stuff... sigh
ReplyDeleteSay "points, plugs, and condenser" these days and you will be met with blank stares by many (most?).
ReplyDeleteOne of several reasons I won't buy a Deere.
ReplyDeleteJonathan