Kubota B8200D -- am I giving it away?

[SuperAwesomeDOOD]

Hello,

I recently found a note on my front gate asking about one of my tractors. I had no intent to sell, but I don't use it much. I talked to the young man over the phone that night and explained the tractor to him. I said I haven't started it for a year. Before that, I hadn't used it for around a year. This means two starts in the past two years. When I'd started it last year, the hydraulics were unresponsive. After talking to a few folks a year ago, many suggested swapping the hydraulic mesh filter and putting in new hydraulic fluid. I told the young man this. He threw out an offer of $3500 to which I responded, "Why don't you just come and take a look at it before offering me something blindly."

He came and looked at it. I checked the fluids with him to make sure it was good to fire off. It started right up, he was interested. He'd said he would like to attempt the fluid and filter change if I'd allow him to next week. I was fine with that. He came over last week with some fluid and I helped him drain the trans, clean the mesh filter (which had coagulated, white hydraulic fluid likely caused by condensation in the trans). After refilling the trans, we started it up and everything functioned normally: PTO, 3-point, Front end loader, etc. it's a good little 4x4 FEL tractor. We drove it around a bit before him saying he'd like to buy it, but wouldn't have a trailer for a couple weeks. Me, being super busy and thinking about the chores I was already behind on that day and from working out of town for 7 months, didn't even think to talk price before saying good-bye.

Fast forward to yesterday, he said he'd like to bring me a deposit of $1000 and the other $2500 next week. I never agreed to $3500 and I paid $7500 for it 5 years ago. Am I giving this tractor away at $3500? I don't need the money and my wife thinks it's worth more. She'd rather keep it unless we get fair market value. You don't see many of these available with factory Kubota front end loaders, so finding comparable units is difficult.

What is it worth? For perspective, this is a Northern CA tractor. Surface rust is minimal to non-existent. I'd rate the tractor a conservative 7/10 for a tractor it's age. I like the young man, but I want my wife to be happy.

 

[RjCorazza]

From my perspective, allowing him to do the transmission service complicates matters in a "fair guy" world. He probably should have stated outright that if the hydraulics work after the service he would buy the machine at the agreed price. Obviously you would have had to agree (or not) in advance. There's nothing wrong with the potential buyer wanting to limit his exposure while at the same time providing value to the owner.

What's really fair? Who knows. I suspect that machine is worth 4-5k in poor condition, as is where is. Good condition with a loader.... It should be worth about what you paid for it (7k +).
If it was someone I know (and liked) I would probably take the $3500 and be happy to see a great machine get a new lease on life! A stranger off Craigslist.... No way.

 

[BleedingOrange]

Decide on how much you need to get for your tractor to keep your wife happy, and call the guy as soon as you can, and explain to him that there was a mis-understanding on the pricing. Who paid for the parts required for the fluid changes ? There is a reason I buy stuff, as is, where is, and complete the deal right away, and haul it home with me. I try and buy stuff at a fair price, and take my chances.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

It probably was worth $3500 until he got it working. You should have got it working if you wanted more. Might have painted yourself in a corner.
However, you never stated you would sell for $3500. He might say otherwise. If you don’t sell, pay him for his fluid and time to get it going.

 

[Tomtint]

Im thinking 3500.00 is cheap.. 4x4 with a loader..running and driving tractor up here is 6-7K all day.

 

[jeff9366]

I said I haven't started it for a year. Before that, I hadn't used it for around a year. This means two starts in the past two years. When I started it last year the hydraulics were unresponsive.

It probably was only worth $3500 until he got it working. You should have got it working if you wanted more money.

If it was someone I know (and liked) I would take the $3500 and be happy to see an inactive machine get a new lease on life.

 

[SuperAwesomeDOOD]

to be honest, he came by with a jug of tractor supply fluid and used all my tools and my help to drain and fill the trans. its a 20 minute job. he's out the cost of the fluid, which I'd happily reimburse him for if he feels shafted.

I never agreed to the price, nor was I soliciting a sale. I agreed to let him look at it after he left a note on my gate, that's about it. I figured $3500 was really cheap. I'm still on the fence because I'm a sucker, but I think I'll pass. As I said, I wasn't really trying to sell it anyhow.

 

[SuperAwesomeDOOD]

He is a complete stranger, but WTH...my conscience won't let me be unless I figure something out now. I feel slimy calling him back to haggle when he thinks the price is settled. Damnit I wish I didn't care.

I did just buy a bunch of Carli suspension stuff for my dodge. This will help pay for part of it I guess.

 

[sea2summit]

He is a complete stranger, but WTH...my conscience won't let me be unless I figure something out now. I feel slimy calling him back to haggle when he thinks the price is settled. Damnit I wish I didn't care.

I did just buy a bunch of Carli suspension stuff for my dodge. This will help pay for part of it I guess.

Hate to say it but that's probably the right call.

 

[BleedingOrange]

Since you both know it is definitely worth more than 3500, especially now that you both know everything is working, see if he would consider coming up to 5K. That way you are only losing roughly 2K on it for all the time you have owned it. The buyer would still be getting a very good deal at that price, and he knows it. If he won,t come up to that figure., I would give him a hundred bucks for his help, and wish him all the best in his search for another one.

 

[IndyJay]

"Why don't you just come and take a look at it before offering me something blindly." implies that you found the offer acceptable but were concerned on his behalf that he should take a closer look before committing to buying at that price. It seems like you were fine with the offer up to the point where he got everything working, like it wasn't in as bad a shape as you thought. Oh.. and your wife thinks you should keep it. Did she know that someone had made an offer and was coming to look at it?

I think it would be wrong to reneg on the deal.

 

[SuperAwesomeDOOD]

"Why don't you just come and take a look at it before offering me something blindly." implies that you found the offer acceptable but were concerned on his behalf that he should take a closer look before committing to buying at that price. It seems like you were fine with the offer up to the point where he got everything working, like it wasn't in as bad a shape as you thought. Oh.. and your wife thinks you should keep it. Did she know that someone had made an offer and was coming to look at it?

I think it would be wrong to reneg on the deal.

I always make that statement when someone makes an offer on something without seeing it. The statement for me usually means, come see the value in something before you low ball me on it. I sell old truck parts on craigslist and use that line when people low ball me. I wasn't fine with any offer. I never thought it was in bad shape, or I would've parted it out. I can make more money on this in parts than as a whole. I hadn't even thought of selling it before the conversation. If I don't say, yeah that sounds okay when someone makes a blind offer, that in no way constitutes acceptance of the offer.

I was merely asking if $3500 was far below market value. which we now know it is.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Rethinking my answer. I’d pay him for the fluid, and set a price you think is fair.

You didn’t have it for sale, he threw out a number you didn’t agree to.

 

[crashz]

Wait - A perfect stranger leaves a note wanting to buy your tractor (how did he know you have it?) and you invite him in to look at it and work on it, with no intention on selling? I feel like you are both wrong here. But the kid was intentional and direct. He low-balled you right out of the gate, did a little work and expects to pick it up. Done deal in his mind. Your wrong in this situation is that you just let him do it.

Your response to his message should be in line with this:

"Woe fella, I said look at it. You did and you helped get it going. I will reimburse you for some time and oil if we don't agree on a price. And I didn't agree to $3,500. I'll sell for XXXX. And for your help I'll knock off XX. Interested?"

Good luck.

 

[fishdrivel]

to be honest, he came by with a jug of tractor supply fluid and used all my tools and my help to drain and fill the trans. its a 20 minute job. he's out the cost of the fluid, which I'd happily reimburse him for if he feels shafted.

I never agreed to the price, nor was I soliciting a sale. I agreed to let him look at it after he left a note on my gate, that's about it. I figured $3500 was really cheap. I'm still on the fence because I'm a sucker, but I think I'll pass. As I said, I wasn't really trying to sell it anyhow.

I would start with, "we never agreed on a price"
I owned one of those years ago and it was a fine machine. How many hours are on it makes a huge difference on the value. More so than the year. On a low hours machine you will pay more for a 20 year old machine than what it cost new.
B8200 with loader and 4wd begin at $5k. With HST and low hours, I expect it is worth close to $7k.

https://www.tractorhouse.com/listings/auction-results/kubota/b8200/tractors/1100

 

[IndyJay]

I always make that statement when someone makes an offer on something without seeing it. The statement for me usually means, come see the value in something before you low ball me on it. I sell old truck parts on craigslist and use that line when people low ball me. I wasn't fine with any offer. I never thought it was in bad shape, or I would've parted it out. I can make more money on this in parts than as a whole. I hadn't even thought of selling it before the conversation. If I don't say, yeah that sounds okay when someone makes a blind offer, that in no way constitutes acceptance of the offer.

I was merely asking if $3500 was far below market value. which we now know it is.

That is not how you presented it in your original post.

It seemed like there was a "gentleman's" agreement... at least until it was fixed.

 

[NoTrespassing]

Hello,

I recently found a note on my front gate asking about one of my tractors. I had no intent to sell, but I don't use it much. I talked to the young man over the phone that night and explained the tractor to him. I said I haven't started it for a year. Before that, I hadn't used it for around a year. This means two starts in the past two years. When I'd started it last year, the hydraulics were unresponsive. After talking to a few folks a year ago, many suggested swapping the hydraulic mesh filter and putting in new hydraulic fluid. I told the young man this. He threw out an offer of $3500 to which I responded, "Why don't you just come and take a look at it before offering me something blindly."

He came and looked at it. I checked the fluids with him to make sure it was good to fire off. It started right up, he was interested. He'd said he would like to attempt the fluid and filter change if I'd allow him to next week. I was fine with that. He came over last week with some fluid and I helped him drain the trans, clean the mesh filter (which had coagulated, white hydraulic fluid likely caused by condensation in the trans). After refilling the trans, we started it up and everything functioned normally: PTO, 3-point, Front end loader, etc. it's a good little 4x4 FEL tractor. We drove it around a bit before him saying he'd like to buy it, but wouldn't have a trailer for a couple weeks. Me, being super busy and thinking about the chores I was already behind on that day and from working out of town for 7 months, didn't even think to talk price before saying good-bye.

Fast forward to yesterday, he said he'd like to bring me a deposit of $1000 and the other $2500 next week. I never agreed to $3500 and I paid $7500 for it 5 years ago. Am I giving this tractor away at $3500? I don't need the money and my wife thinks it's worth more. She'd rather keep it unless we get fair market value. You don't see many of these available with factory Kubota front end loaders, so finding comparable units is difficult.

What is it worth? For perspective, this is a Northern CA tractor. Surface rust is minimal to non-existent. I'd rate the tractor a conservative 7/10 for a tractor it's age. I like the young man, but I want my wife to be happy.

OK, I read the entire thread. If it were me, I'd sell it to him for the $3500 and count it as a lesson learned. If a similar situation came up in the future I would be more clear that a price has not been negotiated.

You say "I like the young man", that should help you feel better about the deal I guess. But the thing that really sealed the deal for me was your Tractorbynet User Name;

SuperAwesomeDOOD​

With a name like that, how can you not sell it to the nice "young man"!

Kevin

 

[Have tractor did travel]

Forty years ago, I same situation. Then, I was the "nice young man", hardly a penny to my name. Agreed with widow neighbor for her to sell me a lawn tractor for $100 that didn't run. I came up to her house and got it running so I could take it home, and went in to pay her the money. She said she'd re-thought selling and had decided to keep it. I got over the pain, but I still remember. We too had a indefinite deal.
But you're talking some consequential dollars. Offer it at market, if you want to sell. If you don't want to sell, then pay him for his time and material. Don't be niggardly over payment for time - he did increase the value of your non-running tractor by about 100 percent.
He'll get over the pain. He'll likely retell the story, just as I have. And you both learn from it.

 

[SuperAwesomeDOOD]

He came and dropped off a deposit. He's very trusting, just gave me $2400 cash in a cookie bag with no paperwork. It's all part of God's plan in one way or another. I'm very blessed, even if I could've made a few grand more on the deal, that's only a few days wages--but it wouldn't have sat well with me for much longer than that.

 

[dodge man]

When I looked at prices on tractor house $3500 doesn’t seem out of line to me.