John Deere Farewell

Leckler's Logo


Dear Friends,


We wanted to take some time and put pen to paper to expand on some news that customers may have heard regarding us being the John Deere dealer serving Monroe County. As of July 21st, 2021, Leckler’s Inc. will no longer be selling or servicing John Deere equipment at the end of our current contract (note: more details below under "Customer Impacts" on us providing routine service for select lawn tractors and zero turns). We are still open and will continue to forge ahead with our other primary brands including Ferris, Husqvarna, Spartan, Stihl and Wright as we continue to innovate as a 3rd generation family-owned business.


We understand this news may come as a shock to some, but we have been preparing for this inevitable day for many years through product differentiation and a focus on selling zero turns and handheld versus compact utility tractors. In the interest of due diligence and transparency, we have also been communicating this news to all customers coming through the doors this spring pre-formal release. Our goal in doing so was to pre-emptively help customers with this coming change by allowing them to purchase parts ahead of time and know what the situation entailed if they still decided to move forward with a John Deere equipment purchase.


For those who do business with us regularly, this news will not come as a shock. We pivoted from being primarily a John Deere dealer about 10 years ago. There are many reasons why we decided to pivot on our own internal business strategy, but as a 3rd generation family-owned business, we could see that the environment was changing and that staying the course with just one primary brand could mean the end of this business. Anticipatory moves---including bringing on Husqvarna in 2011, Ferris in 2020, and both Spartan and Wright in 2021---have paved the path for our continued success and service to the community.


The Why


We can imagine that some may wonder “why” this is occurring. The simple explanation is that John Deere has pivoted in their business strategy to focus on having larger agricultural conglomerates versus single store “mom and pop” shops. We certainly respect that decision as we believe that any business should be able to do as they wish with regard to operations.


Customer Impacts


This pivot by John Deere means that we are no longer legally allowed to sell new John Deere equipment or do warranty work for that equipment. We will still do routine service on select John Deere Lawn Tractors and Zero Turns, but that will not be the case for Compact Utility Tractors and Gators. We ask that you call the Service Department to discuss your specific situation so we can give appropriate guidance and determine cost effectiveness for the repair given we will no longer be getting wholesale pricing for John Deere parts like other dealers.


The reason we will be able to continue doing non-warranty service work on select John Deere Lawn Tractors and Zero Turns is because we have a contract with Sunbelt. This is a company that provides aftermarket John Deere parts such as belts, blades, and tune-up kits. This will allow us to provide this routine service at competitive prices with other dealers.


For customers shopping for new equipment and/or requiring warranty service for Compact Utility Tractors, Gators, Lawn Tractors and Zero Turns, you will be required to go to another John Deere dealer in a surrounding county. As far as we know, John Deere does not yet have plans for servicing Monroe County through another outdoor power equipment dealer (excludes Lowe’s), but we will provide an update if/when we are made aware. We apologize for the inconvenience on that front, but must defer to John Deere corporate for explanation.


For customers who purchased John Deere equipment from us the past five years or so, we have been prepping for this day by letting them know that our future with John Deere was uncertain. We believe in integrity and have always been forthright with people regarding this uncertainty because we treat people the way we want to be treated and live that principle out daily. Now that we have that clarity on the direction they wish to go, we can now formally broach that topic with an execution plan.


Available John Deere Dealers


We pride ourselves on reputation and believe that the most important component of business is how customers are treated. This is why we have provided a list of John Deere dealerships closest in proximity to our store so you can be informed about the closest available options (listed alphabetically): 


  • Ag-Pro (formerly FIC Dealerships)
    • 5640 North Berkey Southern RoadBerkey, OH
      • 28.1 miles from Leckler’s Inc.
    • 1220 Ford Street, Maumee, OH
      • 32 miles from Leckler's Inc.

  • Hutson, Inc. (formerly Bader and Sons Company)
    • 106 N Occidental Highway, Tecumseh, MI
      • 34.2 miles from Leckler’s Inc.

  • Sells Equipment
    • 25151 Allen Road, Woodhaven, MI
      • 26.1 miles from Leckler’s Inc.


You can also go to John Deere’s website (www.deere.com) and click “Find a Dealer” in the upper left corner of the webpage.


Our History


For some history as we reflect on the past 70 years in business, we have been a John Deere dealer for most of that time with Louis Leckler Jr. bringing them on in 1964. Louis was the first generation owner of this business, starting it by selling coal and vegetables to the locals here in La Salle. Patrick and Melanie Leckler continued to drive the business forward throughout the second generation working day and night while also raising Adam and Shelby. They persevered and got the business to where we are today with Mel and Adam still running day to day operations.


This business has come a long way since the early days, but never do we forget our roots and all the hard work that has gone into getting us where we are today. We continue to harvest that innovative, entrepreneurial spirit as we explore new brands, and now more recently, as we wade into the battery powered arena, since that is the future.


Our Future


Leckler’s Inc. is still here to serve Monroe County and other surrounding counties and will be for years to come. The people are the same and our approach to customer service is the same. Though brands have reputations, we learned a long time ago that the most important reason people do business with a company is because of the people they are buying from. That steadiness of operations, and trust that we will always come through for customers, carries forward regardless of the brands housed at this company.


When you know, like and trust people, it is far easier to trust them with expensive purchases than someone who is looking to just make a quick dollar. This is why we always operate with transparency and integrity. We have never taken these tried and true principles for granted, which is why any person who does business with us is wowed by the experience. We don’t just talk about being great, but rather live it out through daily action, which is backed up by the google reviews customers leave us describing the experience. We will never sell things we don’t believe in, so rest assured that whatever we sell we stand behind 100% as long as we are legally allowed to do so.


We are extremely grateful to John Deere for the opportunity to work together the past ~60 years, but understand that change is inevitable in our fast paced world and wish them nothing but the best moving forward. If you have any additional questions about this news, please contact the store at 734-242-2344 or stop in for a chat. We are happy to help and look forward to serving you through our remaining and future product offerings for many years to come.


Thank you,


-Leckler’s Inc. Management