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The Rural Voice, 1985-11, Page 52CHAIN SAWS by '! SACHS I' We handle everything from the light weight hobby saw to the Powerful Professional Chain Saw USED TRACTORS — 1755 White with cab. Engine Rebuilt. New Tires — 1135 MF with cab. Heater, 12 Speed Transmission CALL FOR DETAILS WE SERVICE ALL MAKES & MODELS OF TRACTORS & FARM EQUIPMENT SHOP RATE ONLY $20.00/hr. FRASERS SALES & SERVICE Farm Equipment R.R. #1 Brucefield, Ont. NOM 1J0 519-482-9286 USED PLOWS 2 Kverneland 3 x 14 Auto Reset $1500 1 Kverneland 3 x 16 Auto Reset Square Beam $200n 1 Kverneland 3 x 16 Auto Reset Square Beam — Demo $3000 1 Case 5 x 16 Auto Reset $3000 1 Oliver 5 x 14 Trip Beam $ 500 2 IH 8' 3 pt hitch Chisel Plows $ 900 1 IH 710 4 x 16 Auto Reset $3000 1 NEW Kverneland 4 x 16 Auto Reset $6500 MALUSKIE FARM EQUIPMENT DESBORO ■ MEM Phone — 519-794-2053 PG 10, SPECIAL Dealers experience repercussions of poor farm economy Ontario machinery dealers have mixed emotions about their American counterparts: empathy and envy. For the past few years, Ontario machinery dealers have been ex- periencing the repercussions of a poor farm economy. But their American counterparts are in a much "sadder situation," says Glen Peart, executive vice-president of the Ontario Retail Farm Equipment Dealers' Associa- tion, ORFEDA. "I'm glad to be back in Ontario" was his reaction upon returning from the National Farm and Power Equipment Dealers' an- nual meeting where 33 groups from across North America met to discuss the industry. Peart came away from the meeting believing that Ontario machinery dealers are in better shape than many others. Agriculture is suffering in the United States, and agricultural in- dustries with it. But even though On- tario machinery dealers are doing bet- ter as a whole than their American counterparts, Ontario would like to have one thing that 25 states have: farm equipment legislation. Much of this legislation requires minimum warrantees, and provides buy-back policies for parts. The western pro- vinces in Canada have similar legisla- tion, and they are happy with it, Peart says. ORFEDA and the Ontario Federa- tion of Agriculture are working together to get similar legislation in Ontario. There are three major com- ponents to the legislation they are seeking. Each component is expected to help both farmers and dealers. One part of the legislation is set up to address the issue of new machinery that just won't operate properly. Under the proposed law, for exam- ple, a farmer who purchased a tractor that could not be put into good runn- ing order would get his money back or could cancel the deal on his trade- in. The dealer has been stuck with shouldering too much of the respon- sibility in such situations, Peart says. Under the new law, the manufacturer would share responsibility with the dealer. A minimum warrantee of parts for one year is another provision of the proposed legislation. Peart says he would also like to see the legislation require a minimum of 10 years' availability for parts. The consumer could find comfort in knowing he could get parts for his new piece of EQUIPMENT SECTION, NOVEMBER, 1985 machinery for an entire decade, and it would be easier for the dealer to keep his customer happy. The legislation also asks for buy- back provisions. For example, if the manufacturer asked a dealer to stop carrying a certain line, the manufac- turer would have to buy back the dealer's stock and parts. This way a dealer has some control over his future. He won't be reluctant to stock parts, and a farmer will get better ser- vice, Peart predicts. Besides seeking better legislation for dealers, ORFEDA, a non-profit voluntary association founded in 1945, supplies information to trade publications and regular bulletins to its members. ORFEDA keeps dealers informed about changes in provincial and federal sales taxes that could af- fect its members. ORFEDA also of- fers accounting services on occasion. With 312 full dealer members, ORFEDA is recognized as the voice of farm -equipment dealers in On- tario. About 90 per cent of all major franchise dealers (John Deere, Case - International, etc.) are members. And 75 per cent of all machinery dealers belong to ORFEDA. When asked what happened to the other 25 per cent, Peart points out that membership in the association is voluntary. He is also quick to note that the number of members in the association has increased every year during the past three years in spite of challenging times in the industry. The computer division of ORFEDA has been one of the busiest areas during the last year, Peart says. ORFEDA has already sold 16 Challenger Computers to dealers. This "complete in-house computer" handles information from the service department, the parts department, and the accounts department to simplify and sort a dealer's large amount of in-house information. The computer is used in managing inven- tory, accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll, and documenting sale histories, Peart says. Of the 16 sold to date, four came to Huron, Perth, or Bruce counties. Local dealers with the new computer system include: Gilmore Farm Supply Inc. in Harriston, Stoltz Sales and Service in Listowel, Stratford Farm Equipment in Stratford, and Vincent Farm Equipment Ltd. with its head office in Seaforth.