Sad ... but true

[Qapla]

We (my father-in-law and me) were looking at the TLB 39/45 series. We were trying to decide between the GS and the HST. We had three dealers vying for our business.

First, though we had to do something with our Farmtrac DTC 360. After determining that a trade-in was out of the question (value too low) we were going to try the equipment auction in our area.

In the meantime, I was laid off and now my father-in-law has lost his second income (his main income is retirement pay). Due to the economic conditions, we had to put the tractor upgrade on the back burner

I was wondering, how many others have had to put off upgrading or adding equipment due to the economic down-turn?

 

[sweettractors]

We have noticed a big up tick in new and used parts this year and last. When customers buy new whole goods, they are very discriminating in their purchases. Ken Sweet

 

[TripleR]

No, but it sure had an affect on my comfort level when doing so. I have been very surprised that our local Kubota dealer has had to add another mechanic due to the high demand for tractors. When I bought my last one a couple of months ago, everyone in the shop was doing assembly/prep. They handle NH and Kubota.

Sorry to hear about your situation; been there.

 

[Thomas]

Fingers cross for economic up swing for your family.

I have notice more first time buyers are purchasing second hand,and the ones need the horse power purchasing the basic tractor...couple thousands here and there can help on fuel/servicing..tight times.

 

[sweettractors]

Gardens, Truck Patches and Wildlife Food plot implements are going like gang busters for us. Ken Sweet

 

[Motractr]

Gardens, Truck Patches and Wildlife Food plot implements are going like gang busters for us. Ken Sweet

Okay, what's a truck patch?

 

[montelatici]

We can all be optimistic, but I suspect that the standard of living we are used to will decline. The past 20 years, we have maintained a high standard of living through borrowing on virtual home values and easy credit. Our kids and grand kids will have to get used to high down payments for homes and saving money to buy things like cars.

 

[nebraskasparks]

Went through the Texas depression of 1987-1992,,,deja vu. I rebuilt everything back then because I had more time than money. I know tons of people who can't find jobs but don't worry the Republicans or Democrats will make it better next time around:laughing:

Ran into a bright kid with a degree in economics from Dartmouth ... can't find anything as he has no "skills" to offer. Lots of moving vans in our area as families are foreclosed on and have to move.

What to do? You're already doing it. Work close with your family and friends. Barter labor for whatever. Affluent America is only for the politicians and rich...middle class has been shipped overseas.
If you have to buy...buy quality that will last. What Ken Sweet said....discriminating buyers. Invest in your family with gardens, canning...just like grandma and grandpa used to do. Hard work for sure leads to an honest heart and solid relationships. Something Washington D.C. doesn't know anything about.

Hang in there.

 

[sweettractors]

Okay, what's a truck patch?

Around here in Kentucky, A truck patch is a oversize garden. When the produce comes in, you load the back of your "Truck" and take it to town farmers market or down at a busy intersection and sell your produce. Produce of this sort brings top dollar. Real good source for additional income, If, you have a small unused field on your farm. Ken Sweet

 

[bdeboer]

I might replace my 1993 Ford F250 with a new used 2000 to 2004 Toyota Tacoma type truck, but that's the limit of my expenditures. I am simply being nickel and dime'd to death by my Ford.

One thing to watch on the 2000-2004 Tacomas is rust belt trucks. Here in Ohio Toyota sent a letter that states they must have rust preventative sprayed on the frame before October 30th or they will not honor their rust warranty. The rust warranty was extended due to frame failures. This is different than the buyback for the pre-2000 models.

 

[sweettractors]

One thing to watch on the 2000-2004 Tacomas is rust belt trucks. Here in Ohio Toyota sent a letter that states they must have rust preventative sprayed on the frame before October 30th or they will not honor their rust warranty. The rust warranty was extended due to frame failures. This is different than the buyback for the pre-2000 models.

Are these the ones you were cautioned against following on the highway because the spare tire might fall out due to corrosion problems? Ken Sweet

 

[abeal]

One thing to watch on the 2000-2004 Tacomas is rust belt trucks. Here in Ohio Toyota sent a letter that states they must have rust preventative sprayed on the frame before October 30th or they will not honor their rust warranty. The rust warranty was extended due to frame failures. This is different than the buyback for the pre-2000 models.

The spray is for the 01-04. My 2000 was bought back when the program was initiated in spring 08. Good deal...got $17k+ for my truck that I paid $21k for 8.5 years and 100k miles prior. They also gave me a coupon for 1k off any new Toyota bringing my deal to $18k+. Went in and wrote a check for 8k+ and drove off with a new one.

 

[radman1]

Around here in Kentucky, A truck patch is a oversize garden. When the produce comes in, you load the back of your "Truck" and take it to town farmers market or down at a busy intersection and sell your produce. Produce of this sort brings top dollar. Real good source for additional income, If, you have a small unused field on your farm. Ken Sweet

Friends of my wife sell sweet corn, watermelons ect at a busy corner in town at a small gas station. Sell out of pickup with small table and canopy. They will make 15K profit this summer in 3-4 months. The interesting part is they do not grow any of the produce. They buy it from someone else who grows it and they sell it at a markup. I, like others, assumed they grow it, harvest and sell it. I am sure many people believe they are local area farmers. How much profit is recorded on their taxes?

 

[jim442]

Actually my wife was the reason we bought a tractor a couple months ago. Two years ago when property was selling in Connecticut for crazy prices she said " We should buy a house fix it and flip it". I knew as tight with a buck as she was, it was the wrong time to buy if the craziness had gotten to her so we didn't and saved a bunch of money in the downturn. Then, when she thought it was the wrong time to buy a tractor, I pointed out the no money down, 0 percent interest and good pricing from Barlow's and asked if she wanted to wait for everything including tractor pricing to increase. Sure, I was uneasy about it, just like when I bought our first house and wondered how I would ever pay an 800 dollar mortgage!

 

[Grateful11]

We do have a car payment but other than that if we can't pay cash for it, we
don't buy it, we started that years ago before the downturn. Last year we
purchased a JD 448 round baler, a JD X720 GT and this year the L3940 tractor.
If Corp. America would start spending the $2 Trillion they're sitting on the
economy might not be as bad as it is right now. There's plenty of people
out there with money that have been scared into not spending it, it happens
with every Recession, until Consumer Confidence comes back it's going
continue to be stagnant or worsen.

I don't blame you one bit for putting off your purchase with the current situation you're in.

 

[DiezNutz]

...I have been very surprised that our local Kubota dealer has had to add another mechanic due to the high demand for tractors. When I bought my last one a couple of months ago, everyone in the shop was doing assembly/prep. They handle NH and Kubota.

Gardens, Truck Patches and Wildlife Food plot implements are going like gang busters for us.

Comments like these don't surprise me, especially coming from rural/agricultural areas. Seen a few news stories about how a side effect of the wreckonomy has been renewed interest in family agricultural/farming. More than one new/young farmer being highly-educated and unable to find work in their field of study, so they're trying their hand at a new "field" (literally).

Makes a lot of sense when you think about it. Great for kids, too. :thumbsup:

 

[_RaT_]

We don't get rust here, we get lots of other things that are progeressive if you know what I mean. :confused2: The rust might be better....

One thing to watch on the 2000-2004 Tacomas is rust belt trucks. Here in Ohio Toyota sent a letter that states they must have rust preventative sprayed on the frame before October 30th or they will not honor their rust warranty. The rust warranty was extended due to frame failures. This is different than the buyback for the pre-2000 models.

 

[montelatici]

We don't get rust here, we get lots of other things that are progeressive if you know what I mean. :confused2: The rust might be better....

Politics are best left outside TBN. Not all of us are right-wing.

 

[_RaT_]

WoW Mom WoW, Fred you are right, my sincerest apologies, I did not mean to imply that any particular political party be it Democrat, Republican, Independent or my favorite and my current party, DTS or decline to state holds the sole possession of the progressive moniker. I mean, I can understand one believing that change and reform belong to one particular affiliation be it as you infer being right wing or left wing, but improvement, that's where I must draw the line. :laughing:

Enough of this diatribe, peel me a grape!


From dictionary.com; Progressive; favoring or advocating progress, change, improvement, or reform, as opposed to wishing to maintain things as they are, esp. in political matters:

Politics are best left outside TBN. Not all of us are right-wing.