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John Deere brags about sabotaging competitors & customers on hot mic - they're PROUD of it!
(www.youtube.com)
This is a most excellent place for technology news and articles.
I have no doubt that this is caused at least partly by the decline of keeping spare parts on the shelf in a warehouse, something most companies did before everyone shifted to 'just in time' inventory management because it saved money up front.
But as it turns out 'just in time' doesnt work so great when a farmer needs a part right this moment since it relies on ordering then shipping only whats needed.
It probably made Deere's dealer network look pretty good by comparison since they (presumably) stock parts that another farm store down the road doesnt carry.>
There's also legislation ( at least in Canada) that requires a manufacturer to have parts for machines less than a decade old to be readily available. A "machine down" order is 3 days or they can explain to the ag minister why they can't comply.