Buying a tractor sight unseen...

SWIFFY · Jul 2, 2020

This is probably more common than I think, but what are people thoughts on this?

Im in the market for my 1st tractor and im having a lot of fun looking and researching, but im finding that the right used tractor isnt around every corner! I have a buddy who runs lowboys in the lower 48 and he can help me ship one back if I purchase one out of the area. This opens up a lot more opportunities for me but what are the pros and cons of doing this? Anyone have experience in buying a tractor you havent seen? What questions would you ask the seller? Would you trust most sellers when they say "its pretty nice"??? I feel like a can find a really good deal on the tractor I really want... BUT I can see getting burnt on an experience like this as well, and I dont have thousands to loose!

Whats your advice/suggestions?

Thanks!

jeff9366 · Jul 2, 2020

Caveat Emptor

Advice from 2,000 years ago, Buyer Beware.

Peter 315 · Jul 2, 2020

I would only buy from a dealer and get lots of pictures..........:2cents:

rademamj1 · Jul 2, 2020

I have purchased used cars and pickups sight unseen in person, but always had dozens of photos, good maintenance history and much more to evaluate, including dealer reputation. Used tractors rarely document maintenance history, and after looking and trying out a tractor in person, this does not mean you could miss something.

Unlike cars, used tractors do not depreciate rapidly. A used 5 year old tractor may average 80% of the cost of the new tractor. So consider buying new, and take advantage of the 0% interest for 6 years, that most of the manufacturers are currently making available to buyers. At least consider that path to tractor ownership.

fried1765 · Jul 2, 2020

SWIFFY said:
This is probably more common than I think, but what are people thoughts on this?

Im in the market for my 1st tractor and im having a lot of fun looking and researching, but im finding that the right used tractor isnt around every corner! I have a buddy who runs lowboys in the lower 48 and he can help me ship one back if I purchase one out of the area. This opens up a lot more opportunities for me but what are the pros and cons of doing this? Anyone have experience in buying a tractor you havent seen? What questions would you ask the seller? Would you trust most sellers when they say "its pretty nice"??? I feel like a can find a really good deal on the tractor I really want... BUT I can see getting burnt on an experience like this as well, and I dont have thousands to loose!

Whats your advice/suggestions?

Thanks!

I bought a 2006 Kubota L48 TLB sight unseen, just 13 months ago
The tractor was 350 miles away, and I did not want to drive that far, towing my 14K trailer, just to come up empty handed.
I was lucky.

I have an old engineering college roommate who lives about 8 miles away from the seller.
I trusted my long ago roommate to give me good information.

It worked out great for me!
I got a 250 hour, one owner TLB, with accessories, for a good price.
I would have not paid $32K for that machine though, without having a tractor knowledgeable person look at it first.

airbiscuit · Jul 2, 2020

That is an interesting question.

Very good deals on used CUTs are hard to find
It takes patience and persistence to recognize very good deals
Good deals get snapped up quickly
Expanding your range (distance) expands your options
Online pics usually look better than the real deal
If possible, it's always best to check it out in person, or have someone else look

Questions I ask

Why are you selling it?
How is it mechanically?
How is it cosmetically?
How many hours on it?
How are the tires?
Any rear remotes?
Have you had any issues with it, or know of anything that is wrong?
What kind of consideration can you give me on the price?

I have only bought one tractor sight unseen. I was looking for a CUT I could leave at our hunting property to mow trails, work food plots, etc. I looked for a long time for a very good deal. Monitored less than 40hp tractors in MN and WI on TractorHouse. I found a Kubota L3010 GST from a dealer who was getting several trade ins from a Nursery. I had been checking out their listings for a few months. They seemed to be accurate in their descriptions (warts and all), and in the ballpark with their prices. They also had good reviews on Google.

This one was priced very well, maybe because the paint was faded and it was a non-hydro. In addition, I came close to buying a different tractor from them before, but before we could seal the deal, they realized they had (significantly) mis-priced it. It was an honest mistake, and I was gracious about it. I reminded them of that, and offered a bit under their asking price and convinced them to deliver it 100 miles for free, because our property was near the salesman's cabin.

I couldn't be happier. It runs like a watch, everything works, and with the magic of spray implement paint, it looks like new.

That said, before this, I found a John Deer 850, and a Yanmar YM2200 that looked like buy sight unseen candidates. I went and looked, and the John Deere would barely start, and the steering box on the Yanmar broke during my test drive.

Caveat Emptor

SWIFFY · Jul 2, 2020

I guess so far im hearing exactly what i expected!

Thanks!

tallyho8 · Jul 2, 2020

You are new on TBN but I have been here for years and after reading and replying to thousands of posts, you can easily figure out who are the good guys and the bad guys. There are many posters here who if they posted a tractor for sale in the "Tractors for sale" column, I would not hesitate to purchase a tractor from them. Some others, I would not even consider.

SWIFFY · Jul 2, 2020

tallyho8 said:
You are new on TBN but I have been here for years and after reading and replying to thousands of posts, you can easily figure out who are the good guys and the bad guys. There are many posters here who if they posted a tractor for sale in the "Tractors for sale" column, I would not hesitate to purchase a tractor from them. Some others, I would not even consider.

Yes Im new here but I get your drift. Ive been around forums enough to know the personalities youre talking about. I guess im talking more about sites like trctrhous and random dealer sites?

Thanks

oosik · Jul 2, 2020

I have never bought sight unseen and I never will. Not even on brand new stuff. Besides - around here I've NEVER found used tractors or implements of the size I want. Gobs of used tractors & implements in the 400 to 500hp range.

Milo · Jul 2, 2020

In this day and age one doesn't have to be so concerned in buying something "sight unseen". Ask questions such as airbuscuit posted. Photos can be sent instantly and for no cost so ask for lots of them including close ups. Ask for photos showing all "the worst parts of the tractor" such as dings, a tear in the seat, any leaks, etc. If the seller won't send high quality images or a video of the tractor running there's probably a reason, walk away. Also any and all services that were performed as well as any repairs done under warranty or beyond. Exercise good judgement but it's never been easier to buy something remotely than it is today.

chim · Jul 2, 2020

I've spent a fair amount of time shopping for used tractors. The scarcity of really clean units at good prices is why two of the last three times I bought new.

We bought the last tractor used with 977 hours on it. It took the best part of the year to find one that looked better in person than in the pictures, and the search wasn't strictly for a Kubota or even a particular horsepower. Parameters were cab with heat and A/C, loader, HST, around 40HP. Brands considered were Kubota, Kioti, New Holland, Mahindra and an Albino Kioti (Bobcat). A few were in decent shape but still had something negative that turned me away. Ran into things like twitchy FEL controls, strange noises or feel in the trans, etc.

rew1953 · Jul 3, 2020

Dealer sites are probably okay. Used equipment is readily available, and dealers will not soil their reputation by selling bad equipment. Word gets around pretty fast on these forums. A bad rep is terribly hard to overcome. Also, you have a good chance with a dealer to obtain a sales history on the one you are interested in. It is a plus to talk to the previous owner to get all the facts on the machine and the reason it was traded off. I was fortunate to deal with a reputable dealer who supplied the previous owner's contact information. It turned out that the previous owner's main tractor laid down on him in the middle of hay season and was going to require major repairs, so he was needing a replacement 100 HP tractor quickly, and traded in the 55 HP Ford 4000 lot tractor. According to the owner, the 4000 had 2117 actual hours, but was in poor cosmetic shape for being stored outside. Mechanically, the tractor was in very good condition and turned out to be a great buy at $3300. The asking price was $4900 and listed as being in very good condition. I drove 400 miles to look at it personally. The fenders required complete rebuilding, no functioning lights, badly rusted rear rims, a non functioning PTO brake and one rear tire that was in really bad shape with gouges and dry rot. When I factored in the negatives from the inspection verses the listing, I made an offer of $3300 cash which was immediately accepted. It turns out the dealer was selling the tractor on consignment from the farmer who needed cash quickly for the down payment on the new tractor. I saved $1600 off the asking price, which was then spent making the necessary repairs. It turned out to be a WIN-WIN for both sides as my total costs including a 20 hour trip was slightly less than the original asking price. The on site inspection was worth the time and effort.

Here are the before and after photos.

rew1953 · Jul 3, 2020

Dealer sites are probably okay. Used equipment is readily available, and dealers will not soil their reputation by selling bad equipment. Word gets around pretty fast on these forums. A bad rep is terribly hard to overcome. Also, you have a good chance with a dealer to obtain a sales history on the one you are interested in. It is a plus to talk to the previous owner to get all the facts on the machine and the reason it was traded off. I was fortunate to deal with a reputable dealer who supplied the previous owner's contact information. It turned out that the previous owner's main tractor laid down on him in the middle of hay season and was going to require major repairs, so he was needing a replacement 100 HP tractor quickly, and traded in the 55 HP Ford 4000 lot tractor. According to the owner, the 4000 had 2117 actual hours, but was in poor cosmetic shape for being stored outside. Mechanically, the tractor was in very good condition and turned out to be a great buy at $3300. The asking price was $4900 and listed as being in very good condition. I drove 400 miles to look at it personally. The fenders required complete rebuilding, no functioning lights, badly rusted rear rims, a non functioning PTO brake and one rear tire that was in really bad shape with gouges and dry rot. When I factored in the negatives from the inspection verses the listing, I made an offer of $3300 cash which was immediately accepted. It turns out the dealer was selling the tractor on consignment from the farmer who needed cash quickly for the down payment on the new tractor. I saved $1600 off the asking price, which was then spent making the necessary repairs. It turned out to be a WIN-WIN for both sides as my total costs including a 20 hour trip was slightly less than the original asking price. The on site inspection was worth the time and effort.

Here are the before and after photos.View attachment 661961 View attachment 661961 View attachment 661962 View attachment 661963

rew1953 · Jul 3, 2020

Dealer sites are probably okay. Used equipment is readily available, and dealers will not soil their reputation by selling bad equipment. Word gets around pretty fast on these forums. A bad rep is terribly hard to overcome. Also, you have a good chance with a dealer to obtain a sales history on the one you are interested in. It is a plus to talk to the previous owner to get all the facts on the machine and the reason it was traded off. I was fortunate to deal with a reputable dealer who supplied the previous owner's contact information. It turned out that the previous owner's main tractor laid down on him in the middle of hay season and was going to require major repairs, so he was needing a replacement 100 HP tractor quickly, and traded in the 55 HP Ford 4000 lot tractor. According to the owner, the 4000 had 2117 actual hours, but was in poor cosmetic shape for being stored outside. Mechanically, the tractor was in very good condition and turned out to be a great buy at $3300. The asking price was $4900 and listed as being in very good condition. I drove 400 miles to look at it personally. The fenders required complete rebuilding, no functioning lights, badly rusted rear rims, a non functioning PTO brake and one rear tire that was in really bad shape with gouges and dry rot. When I factored in the negatives from the inspection verses the listing, I made an offer of $3300 cash which was immediately accepted. It turns out the dealer was selling the tractor on consignment from the farmer who needed cash quickly for the down payment on the new tractor. I saved $1600 off the asking price, which was then spent making the necessary repairs. It turned out to be a WIN-WIN for both sides as my total costs including a 20 hour trip was slightly less than the original asking price. The on site inspection was worth the time and effort.

Here are the before and after photos.View attachment 661961 View attachment 661961 View attachment 661962 View attachment 661963

rScotty · Jul 3, 2020

I do it and probably will again. I like good photos and videos plus talking to the owner. Never had a problem with shipping things - I tend to use small time shippers.
That said, I never had a problem at all doing sight unseen buys 30 years ago for tractors, trucks, and cars. But in the last 5 years I've gotten burned a few times on small things like implements. ... odd. ... I wouldn't have thought it worth their risk.
But things are definitely different now.
rScotty

fried1765 · Jul 3, 2020

Milo said:
In this day and age one doesn't have to be so concerned in buying something "sight unseen". Ask questions such as airbuscuit posted. Photos can be sent instantly and for no cost so ask for lots of them including close ups. Ask for photos showing all "the worst parts of the tractor" such as dings, a tear in the seat, any leaks, etc. If the seller won't send high quality images or a video of the tractor running there's probably a reason, walk away. Also any and all services that were performed as well as any repairs done under warranty or beyond. Exercise good judgement but it's never been easier to buy something remotely than it is today.

Excellent analysis of the issue!

Zebrafive · Jul 3, 2020

I bought sight unseen from a dealer.
The good:
Dealer told me it was traded for a cab tractor, it was open station.
Dealer supplied original owner's phone number.
I had my local dealer run the serial number for history of warranty work.
Dealer supplied pictures.
Dealer accepted lower than asking price.
The bad:
Original owner said there was an oil leak he could not find. (good it was disclosed) I only list a "bad" since I had to find and fix it. Dealer did not disclose it (maybe was not aware?),started minor, then it got worse after several years, it was the suction hose for the hydraulics, bottom of the hose, not easy to see/find.
Two cosmetic items did not show in the pictures. An arm rest from the seat was missing, (I assumed it was folded up and not showing) and a plastic vent in the hood was broke (loader boom blocked this).

Overall:

All things considered, it was worth what I paid, maybe more, condition was as good or better than expected for it's hours/age. It was four years old, 2500 hours. It was a full size, farm used, tractor, not a SCUT

finn1 · Jul 3, 2020

I suspect a lot depends on who you are as a buyer, and what your skill set encompasses.

If you have no or limited mechanical shills, just buy new, with a warranty.. same for time.

If you have Mechanical and electrical aptitude, and don’t mind tinkering, a long distance purchase might work out, but don’t have lofty expectations.

I rarely buy used anything on eBay any more, as most, but not all purchases end up a little short of the sellers description. I haven’t been badly burned, but have been disappointed.

With something as expensive as a tractor, a road trip to inspect would be a good, and mandatory investment before consummating the deal.

GSVette · Jul 3, 2020

I bought my LS( new, from dealer) sight unseen-I had seen a similar model at a closer dealer so I knew pretty much what I was getting.

Purchase was contingent on my inspection and test drive once I got to the selling dealer some 275 miles away).

Probably wouldn’t do same with a used unit.