Frustrations have boiled over for several unsatisfied customers who ordered equipment directly from a manufacturing company in Yorkton, Sask.

Leon’s Manufacturing has been the subject of multiple complaints about its sales and delivery (or lack thereof) practices, as covered by Karen Briere in a recent Western Producer article.

A quick Google search of Leon’s reveals a putrid 1.4 (out of 5) star-rating. Customers have pounded their keyboards in frustration over the past year.

“Worst company to deal with, ordered a blade and never received it.”

“Ordered a machine, received no machine, no refund, nothing. They are con artists. Buyer beware.”

“My company ordered 3 machines from Ramrod, which is a branch of Leon's Manufacturing. I was assured that the machines were not shipped, and likely did not exist. We were told a refund was being processed, but 9 months later, there has been no refund.”

“I would leave negative stars for this business but that’s not an option. They do make decent machines but I’m in awe of how they’re still in business with the customer service they provide.”

To be fair, there were three positive, 5-star reviews, including this one posted 9 months ago:

“My husband reached out to one of their sales reps about a dozer blade even though I was quite skeptical due to the amount of negative reviews. I spoke with the sales rep myself and brought this to his attention…Sure enough it was delivered a day early! Talk about one happy husband!" 

Leon’s CEO John Malinowski tells the Western Producer that the company is well aware of these complaints. He blames the problems on supply chain issues that started before COVID and says that his staff is doing their best to keep dealers and customers updated.

“A lot of our equipment is also tied to a lot of third-party suppliers and there’s just been inordinate issues both during COVID and coming out of COVID that we’re still dealing through,” Malinowski says.

One farmer tells the Western Producer that he thought buying an 8-yard scraper directly from a Leon’s sales rep would be cheaper than going through a dealer. 

“He said if you pay for it, it will be ready in 4 weeks and we’ll deliver it right to your yard,” the farmer said. “He gave me the price and it was quite a bit cheaper.”

The farmer put $31,000 down. 4 weeks went by with no sign of the scraper. After some back and forth with the company, and more waiting, the nightmare ultimately ended with the farmer hiring a lawyer and getting a full refund.

“I got what I had put down back, but I paid about $3,500 in lawyer fees and I never did get a scraper."

The unsatisfied customer is 1 of 7 farmers and dealers who have filed an official complaint against Leon’s Manufacturing to the Alberta Farmers’ Advocate office, according to the Western Producer. Keith Rasmuson, farm implement inspector with the office, started hearing complaints about the company over 2 years ago after many customers waited months, and in some cases years, for delivery. Only 1 of the 7 farmers and dealers who contacted him have received the product they ordered, he says.  

The Saskatchewan government is aware of the complaints and has issued a letter to Leon’s reminding the company of its duties to the customer, according to the Western Producer. 

Consider this a cautionary tale for those customers who are thinking about bypassing your dealership to buy directly from a manufacturer.