At a local Lowes, I purchased the Troy Bilt Pony model on Thursday, August
2nd at 11:30 a.m. Also, on the same sales receipt, I purchased the 4 year
extended warranty coverage, and delivery. Delivery was scheduled on Sunday
morning between 10-12.

Sunday, August 5, a person identifying himself as the driver for deliveries
for Lowes said he could not find any such riding lawnmower in the store. He
said he would pick one up the following day at another store with ample
supply. No such delivery occurred on Monday. Not even a phone call.
Monday evening, I wrote a complaint via Lowes feedback at their website.

Wednesday, I received the riding lawnmower I purchased on the previous
Thursday. Inspected the mower, all appeared okay. Put some gas in it. Was
off mowing already. After mowing about a 1/4 acre, noticed the deck/blade
shroud was dragging on the ground. Disengaged the blade, parked near the
detached garage.

Upon inspection, concluded a rod was supposed to be holding the RH side of
the deck up off the ground. The LH side was like that. The rod on the RH
side was observable hanging in the wind. The mounting area on the deck
appeared undamaged. The operator's manual shows a pictorial of exactly
that. The rod goes through a mounting area on the deck, and is secured with
a cotter pin. A nut, washer, and bolt in the same pictorial was not there
either in the same area. This holds the swing arm for the blade adjustment
height, which mounts to the deck.

Thursday, August 9th, I called the number for the extended warranty plan.
Man said to check with Troy Bilt or the Local Lowes for the pin first, then
get back with him if no luck. Troy Bilt could not locate the cotter pin.
Lowes (one of many managers there) said I had to deliver the riding mower
for repairs, or, to get a replacement. (I don't have a ramp to put the
riding mower on my pickup).

Called the extended warranty number back. A woman answered, this time, was
completely different. She asked for my model and serial number to record in
their records along with data from my Lowes sales receipt. She got a number
and name of qualified repair outfit to work on my mower. They will pick it
up free. She arranged repairs.

In the meantime since, I went online and purchased the missing nut, bolt,
washer, and cotter pin. And, the deck wash nozzle, and hose adapter for it
from the mtdonline website.

Today's Sunday, August 12. Haven't heard from the repair outfit yet. Not a
happy camper.
Dave