Last June (2021), I went to a nearby John Deere dealer to get a pair of replacement riding mower blades. It is a common riding mower.
The parts guy said John Deere was out of the replacement blades...EVERYWHERE IN AMERICA.
I then asked the Deere service department if they could sharpen the two existing ones. They had no service appointments open until August...IT WAS JUNE.
Within an hour, I found an auto shop run by Mexicans who said (through an interpreter) they could remove and sharpen the blades RIGHT NOW. I had the mower on a utility trailer. They rolled it off and did what they said they’d do while my wife and I had lunch.
We went back and got the mower. Blades sharpened. Ready to go. $30 charge.
John Deere has become a joke.
We can blame the customer service of John Deere for what you experienced. Then follow that back to the Unions.
Like I said..the snooty little bastards who took overt that company years ago are responsible for what will be its ultimate destruction.
BTW..those Mexicans would be able to find OEM blades for you if you need them. Tell them as long as they are honest with you, they have your business.