Tim bought a stolen tractor.

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

We Bought A Stolen Tractor - YouTube

I’m glad this happened to someone who couldn’t be bullied into just taking the loss.

It’s unfortunate it happened in the first place.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I can't believe any Auctioneer worth his salt would not have noticed the absence of serial numbers, and only grinder marks where they should have been.

 

[TnAndy]

I can't believe any Auctioneer worth his salt would not have noticed the absence of serial numbers, and only grinder marks where they should have been.

Yeah.....how could they fill out a Bill of Sale without serial numbers ?

 

[buckeyefarmer]

When a deal is too good, beware...

 

[Thomas]

Heck of lesson Tim shouldn't have learn hope some dug little deeper auction dealer.

 

[sd455dan]

Well the buyer is a class act... No hesitation on calling the dealer or authorities as soon as it became obvious that there was a real problem.
That auction outfit ought to be ashamed of themselves and the bad publicity will probably hurt them more in the long run than activating their insurance or just paying out the loss.

 

[PILOON]

I often monitor our Canadian Gov't auctions site.
Up for auction was a trailer that my buddy wanted.
He bid and lost but 5-6 days later received a notification that his stolen trailer had been found.
Long and short is that when the winning bidder went to register his auction win he was told that it was stolen property (buddy had reported it).

This is a real life tale as to how different gov't agencies simply don't talk to each other. OK, from being stolen to the gov't auction only 3 months had expired and no gov't agency can work that fast.

The agency had to refund the auction buyer and buddy got his trailer back and graciously they even waivered the storage fees, LOL.

 

[John Fitzgerald]

Auction, if a small operation, will probably simply declare bankruptcy. Cannot get blood out of a turnip. A relative once in good faith bought some stolen cattle like that and was out all his money. He sued the people, and they declared bankruptcy. It's a sad situation, but the honest citizen usually loses. It's not a good incentive for us.

 

[Tractor Time with Tim]

Well the buyer is a class act... No hesitation on calling the dealer or authorities as soon as it became obvious that there was a real problem.
That auction outfit ought to be ashamed of themselves and the bad publicity will probably hurt them more in the long run than activating their insurance or just paying out the loss.

Thanks for the kind words. I just saw this thread today. Still haven’t got our money back. Oh well!

 

[Tractor Time with Tim]

When a deal is too good, beware...

Buying at auction, how are you supposed to know if ‘too good’ as soon as the gavel drops, I was committed by law to purchase. What was I supposed to say, “Hold it, this tractor is sold to cheap..”???

Besides, I wasn’t the only bidder. If I hadn’t bid, the next highest bidder (a local machinery dealer) would have been stuck with it.

I just don’t think the ‘if it is too good to be true’ statement applies to this situation.

Tim