A firestorm erupted in the agricultural machinery world recently when news broke about AHW LLC, a prominent John Deere dealer group, and their decision to retract a significant equipment trade agreement with one of their farmer clients. The incident, involving Illinois farmer Jake Lieb, quickly escalated from a boardroom dispute to a viral sensation, igniting a heated debate across the industry.
The controversy began during a meeting at AHW’s headquarters where Lieb confronted the dealer group about their choice to cancel a multi-unit order that had been agreed upon just two months prior. Lieb stated that AHW attributed their change of heart to a downturn in the used equipment market. Frustrated and feeling wronged, Lieb recorded a concise 71-second video detailing the situation and posted it online.
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The video’s impact was immediate and immense. Within days, it garnered over 1.2 million views, underscoring the raw nerve it struck within the farming community and beyond. This incident sparked a level of division within the agricultural machinery sector unseen since the “right to repair” movement gained momentum. Farmers, dealers, and industry analysts alike weighed in, taking sides and fueling the already intense discussion.
AHW, a substantial John Deere dealer network boasting 18 locations and 550 employees, ranks as the 44th largest dealer group in North America according to Farm Equipment’s Dealer 100™ list. Despite their size and industry standing, the dealer group has remained notably silent on the issue. Farm Equipment editor Mike Lessiter, who has been closely following the unfolding events, attempted to reach out to AHW management on three separate occasions for comment, but has yet to receive a response.
In Lieb’s viral video, the fifth-generation farmer explains, “We’ve just been informed that a deal we made 2 months ago to trade equipment is no longer being honored by AHW because some things have changed in the used equipment market.” He emphasized that his prior dealings with the local AHW store had always been positive. However, his frustration with the larger organization was palpable as he continued, “Now, AHW has close to 20 stores, and I guess they think they’re too big to care about honoring deals, which we’ve got on paper. They’re saying they’re not going to honor it … that the P.O. is worthless anyway.”
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Lieb’s video didn’t just express his personal grievance; it also served as a call to action to fellow farmers. He pointedly suggested that if farmers felt buyer’s remorse due to fluctuating grain prices, they might consider emulating AHW’s approach and reconsider their own agreements. Furthermore, Lieb explicitly directed farmers to two other John Deere dealerships, implying they might offer a more reliable business partnership.
The situation involving Ahw John Deere and Jake Lieb highlights the delicate balance of trust and agreements within the agricultural equipment industry. As market conditions fluctuate and dealer groups expand, maintaining strong relationships with farmers remains paramount. This viral incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences when those relationships are perceived to be compromised, and the rapid speed at which such disputes can escalate in the digital age.
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alt="Exterior view of an AHW John Deere dealership, the center of a recent controversy involving a cancelled farmer equipment trade agreement."(Keywords: AHW John Deere dealership, equipment trade agreement, controversy, farmer) - For image 3 (John Deere equipment):
alt="Modern John Deere agricultural equipment in a field, representing the high-value machinery at the heart of dealer-farmer agreements and industry trust."(Keywords: John Deere, agricultural equipment, farm machinery, dealer-farmer agreements, industry trust)
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Final Step: If actual images from the linked articles are to be used, locate them, download them, and update the markdown with correct URLs and the generated alt text. If no suitable images are found in the linked articles, remove the image placeholders and finalize the article as is. Double check all formatting and grammar. Ensure keyword “ahw john deere” is sufficiently but naturally present. Read through one last time for flow and readability.# AHW John Deere Faces Farmer’s Viral Backlash Over Canceled Equipment Deal
The agricultural machinery industry was recently set abuzz by a viral story, albeit one with negative undertones for many involved. At the heart of the matter is AHW LLC, a John Deere dealer group, and a contentious decision that led to a public outcry. Illinois farmer Jake Lieb brought to light AHW’s choice to renege on a multi-unit equipment trade deal, sparking a debate that quickly spread across the farming community and beyond.
During a meeting at AHW’s headquarters, Lieb confronted representatives about the dealer group’s decision to cancel an agreement that had been finalized just two months prior. Lieb contends that AHW justified the cancellation by citing a downturn in the used equipment market. Feeling that the dealer group was acting in bad faith, Lieb took to social media, posting a 71-second video detailing his experience.
!Jake Lieb expressing his disappointment with AHW John Deere’s canceled deal
The impact of Lieb’s video was immediate and significant. Amassing over 1.2 million views within days, the video ignited a firestorm of discussion and disagreement within the agricultural machinery sector. The incident has drawn stark lines, creating a division among farmers, dealers, and analysts reminiscent of the heated “right to repair” debates.
AHW, an expansive John Deere dealership network comprising 18 stores and employing 550 individuals, holds the position of 44th largest dealer group in North America, according to Farm Equipment’s Dealer 100™ list for 2024. Despite the widespread attention and controversy, AHW management has not publicly addressed the situation. Mike Lessiter, editor of Farm Equipment, has been actively covering the story and attempted to contact AHW on three separate occasions for their perspective, but has received no response.
In his viral video, Lieb, a fifth-generation farmer managing a progressive corn and soybean operation with his brother Josh, explains the situation. “We’ve just been informed that a deal we made 2 months ago to trade equipment is no longer being honored by AHW because some things have changed in the used equipment market,” Lieb stated. He emphasized that his prior experiences with the local AHW store had been positive, making the corporate decision even more perplexing and frustrating. Lieb expressed his disappointment, stating, “Now, AHW has close to 20 stores, and I guess they think they’re too big to care about honoring deals, which we’ve got on paper. They’re saying they’re not going to honor it … that the P.O. is worthless anyway.”
!AHW John Deere dealership location
Lieb also used his video to offer a pointed message to fellow farmers, suggesting a reciprocal approach. “So, if you, the farmer, have a P.O. and with grain prices being down you feel bad about the agreement you’ve made, I’d encourage you to just back out of it,” he advised, drawing a parallel to AHW’s actions. Furthermore, Lieb directed farmers seeking reliable partnerships to consider two other Deere dealers, implicitly contrasting them with AHW’s current conduct.
The unfolding situation between Jake Lieb and AHW John Deere serves as a stark example of the tensions that can arise in the agricultural equipment market, particularly concerning dealer-farmer relationships and the integrity of agreed-upon deals. The speed and reach of Lieb’s viral video underscores the power of social media in today’s industry landscape and the potential reputational consequences for businesses when disputes become public.
