Another rant about buying used

[ArlyA]

Good strategy is have a place picked out for lunch close by and don’t be afraid to walk away… they think they have you until you hop in your truck and drive away… alot of times they will call/message before you get to far!

Good point, but when some seller is showing his widget to sell, they will tell someone in the yard now "I got a guy on his way here now, if you want it, best to make offer soon!". We drove hundred miles to get a message 10 miles away "I've been trying to get a hold of you, it was sold". Was a wast of a whole day in my book.

 

[dkmc]

Good point, but when some seller is showing his widget to sell, they will tell someone in the yard now "I got a guy on his way here now, if you want it, best to make offer soon!". We drove hundred miles to get a message 10 miles away "I've been trying to get a hold of you, it was sold". Was a wast of a whole day in my book.

That's the nature of the exercise. Years ago I called about a forklift I saw for sale 60 miles from home. Guy says "come down Saturday morning, has to be 7am as I'm very busy". I get up early Sat morning, drive down, no forklift. I went in the store where it was and woman says "Oh yes that was my brothers, he told me he sold it yesterday, someone hauled it off". I called the guy and he could care less.

 

[ArlyA]

As many have said, buying used is a crap shoot. Might be a waste of a whole day or two drive. Get there and find its shot when the seller had stated "like new!"..

 

[wickemite]

For the record, I only buy new stuff when it comes to vehicles and new tractors, etc. Because I don't trust people.

But unfortunately when you like 40 plus year old tractor collecting, you have no choice but to buy used.

I bought a tractor off a facebook antique tractor site. Talked to the seller many times. Seemed like a nice guy. Again, drove many hours to go get tractor, pics looked beautiful.
As soon as I got there and saw it, I knew I was getting fleeced. But stupid me, I paid the price because I wanted it.
Then came home and had another box of parts shipped from Steiners to start all the repairs. So ya, paid way too much, but am going to end up with another nice tractor when I'm done.

But anyway, here's another @*$% that says "It's all serviced. I just replaced ALL fluids and filters. Ready to go"

Needless to say, the engine oil was black, transmission and hydraulics were all low, and I highly doubt he changed those filters. And now I just checked the engine coolant and it's nothing but p!$$ water. Don't even register in my hydrometer.

Luckily I'm not that dumb to trust people, or I would have had a frozen and cracked engine block this summer.

Oh well, I lose money but at least I save old tractors from the hands of worthless trash people.

Used stuff is in short supply here. Americans buy it at CDN price haul it south and make 30 percent before thy touch it. Old stuff only works for us folks if we can do the rebuilds ourselves including travel to Maine for decent prices on parts . Beautiful Country North of the border Nice People, however Country is run by a class of over educated underachievers. Who would all starve if they lost access to the public troth. Perhap my love of rebuilding old iron will have to come to an end

 

[tacticalturnip]

I have an even better approach. Take a buddy along and have HIM play devils advocate. He's the one pulling the dip stick and saying "Just changed the oil?? Looks pretty dirty to me"! And he picks apart any other issues or BS the seller throws at ya. If it agitates the seller you can say "He's just being cranky" or some such. The seller can get pissed if he needs to, but at your buddy not you. Seller still gets called out on his BS. When negotiating a price, you can point out the machine needs work. Works pretty well I've found. Been on both sides of it.

I love being that guy; it's even better if the machine is actually in good shape, when it's actually been maintained. Those conversations are a lot more enjoyable.

 

[ttouring]

For the record, I only buy new stuff when it comes to vehicles and new tractors, etc. Because I don't trust people.

But unfortunately when you like 40 plus year old tractor collecting, you have no choice but to buy used.

I bought a tractor off a facebook antique tractor site. Talked to the seller many times. Seemed like a nice guy. Again, drove many hours to go get tractor, pics looked beautiful.
As soon as I got there and saw it, I knew I was getting fleeced. But stupid me, I paid the price because I wanted it.
Then came home and had another box of parts shipped from Steiners to start all the repairs. So ya, paid way too much, but am going to end up with another nice tractor when I'm done.

But anyway, here's another @*$% that says "It's all serviced. I just replaced ALL fluids and filters. Ready to go"

Needless to say, the engine oil was black, transmission and hydraulics were all low, and I highly doubt he changed those filters. And now I just checked the engine coolant and it's nothing but p!$$ water. Don't even register in my hydrometer.

Luckily I'm not that dumb to trust people, or I would have had a frozen and cracked engine block this summer.

Oh well, I lose money but at least I save old tractors from the hands of worthless trash people.

I think there is an appraisal group called Ivan and they for a fee go appraise cars and trucks. They might do farm equipment too.
Its

For the record, I only buy new stuff when it comes to vehicles and new tractors, etc. Because I don't trust people.

But unfortunately when you like 40 plus year old tractor collecting, you have no choice but to buy used.

I bought a tractor off a facebook antique tractor site. Talked to the seller many times. Seemed like a nice guy. Again, drove many hours to go get tractor, pics looked beautiful.
As soon as I got there and saw it, I knew I was getting fleeced. But stupid me, I paid the price because I wanted it.
Then came home and had another box of parts shipped from Steiners to start all the repairs. So ya, paid way too much, but am going to end up with another nice tractor when I'm done.

But anyway, here's another @*$% that says "It's all serviced. I just replaced ALL fluids and filters. Ready to go"

Needless to say, the engine oil was black, transmission and hydraulics were all low, and I highly doubt he changed those filters. And now I just checked the engine coolant and it's nothing but p!$$ water. Don't even register in my hydrometer.

Luckily I'm not that dumb to trust people, or I would have had a frozen and cracked engine block this summer.

Oh well, I lose money but at least I save old tractors from the hands of worthless trash people.

There is a group called Ivan( eye van) that aprais 83k we

 

[wwidmer]

...drove many hours to go get tractor, pics looked beautiful.
As soon as I got there and saw it, I knew I was getting fleeced. But stupid me, I paid the price because I wanted it...

Yes, sucks to drive all that way to find out seller's word is crap. Facebook ads are definitely suspect. You have to be willing to walk away... you can even leave and then perhaps go back in a few/10 minutes saying you changed your mind. Assume seller would not budge on price? But you bought it anyway so guess it was worth it to you in the end.

 

[kmesr9]

For the record, I only buy new stuff when it comes to vehicles and new tractors, etc. Because I don't trust people.

But unfortunately when you like 40 plus year old tractor collecting, you have no choice but to buy used.

I bought a tractor off a facebook antique tractor site. Talked to the seller many times. Seemed like a nice guy. Again, drove many hours to go get tractor, pics looked beautiful.
As soon as I got there and saw it, I knew I was getting fleeced. But stupid me, I paid the price because I wanted it.
Then came home and had another box of parts shipped from Steiners to start all the repairs. So ya, paid way too much, but am going to end up with another nice tractor when I'm done.

But anyway, here's another @*$% that says "It's all serviced. I just replaced ALL fluids and filters. Ready to go"

Needless to say, the engine oil was black, transmission and hydraulics were all low, and I highly doubt he changed those filters. And now I just checked the engine coolant and it's nothing but p!$$ water. Don't even register in my hydrometer.

Luckily I'm not that dumb to trust people, or I would have had a frozen and cracked engine block this summer.

Oh well, I lose money but at least I save old tractors from the hands of worthless trash people.

I’ve seen both sides of this. When I was looking to buy my tractor and could only afford used I looked at dealers and Craigslist posters alike. I was looking for something specific, an 4cyl diesel, 4x4, hydro and power steering. No help from the dealer as they “didn’t” know if it was a 3cyl or a 4cyl and were too busy to check. Alas I had to drive down and find out myself that the one they listed in my price range was a 3cyl. I finally found one I liked with a belly mower albeit the deck had quite a bit of rust. I was able to talk the owner down $1,200 and got it for $9k. Now I looked at the oil and fluids and he was honest about what it needed and I felt it was a fair deal for my area. Kubota B2250 with FEL and mower.

 

[Deleted member 371759]

If you go in to the purchase educated and with realistic expectations. You will rarely be disappointed. Bringing home a 25 year old piece of equipment, truck, car or whatever and expecting to drive it or put it to work immediately with no problems is not going to happen. I see it all the time. I just bought a 30 year old truck that has been neglected. What needs to be replaced? HAHAHAHA everything. Were not expecting that were you. I always try to find at least one thing positive. Paint good, interior in great shape, engine runs good, something. If its all bad I usually keep looking.

 

[wwidmer]

... I was looking for something specific, an 4cyl diesel, 4x4, hydro and power steering. No help from the dealer as they “didn’t” know if it was a 3cyl or a 4cyl and were too busy to check. Alas I had to drive down and find out myself...

Seems if you had the model it would have been easy enough to google/look up.

 

[ArlyA]

If you go in to the purchase educated and with realistic expectations. You will rarely be disappointed. Bringing home a 25 year old piece of equipment, truck, car or whatever and expecting to drive it or put it to work immediately with no problems is not going to happen. I see it all the time. I just bought a 30 year old truck that has been neglected. What needs to be replaced? HAHAHAHA everything. Were not expecting that were you. I always try to find at least one thing positive. Paint good, interior in great shape, engine runs good, something. If its all bad I usually keep looking.

You might be looking at a different class of used machines than most here are.

 

[hummertom]

I have been looking for a non rusted 3500 Dmax.

I'm selling my Dmax, 3500 dually, 07, 410k miles, but it has a service body, no rust other than slight in bed, also full rack. 510 459 3367

 

[rScotty]

This seems like weird thread to me. I've bought machines used all my life and still do. There are a lot of stories here about people being taken advantage of, and some sound more like folk tales to me.

My own experience is different. Maybe half of the machines I've looked at were poorly described, and it is easy enough to tell if that was done deliberately. If so, the seller is a jerk so best to just leave. What's to say?

The other half are good used machines described honestly. Those are the ones I look over to see that everything works as it should. A machine that looks good and has worked for a few years with everything is working normally is likely to keep on doing so. I often end up wondering why the owner is selling it.

In fact, figuring out why someone is selling something that works well is a fascinating part of buying used equipment.
rScotty

 

[Pecosbill7]

I bought a 50 year old car on eBay and naively believed what the seller told me. His ad described the tires as having "zero miles on them." Now wouldn't a reasonable person believe that means the tires are new? Well, when the car arrived the tires were old, cracked and nearly bald. I called him up and asked him about that and his reply? "Yes, the ad said they had zero miles on them. That means they have zero miles LEFT on them." What a jerk. Learned a lesson though.

 

[Eebbee]

Would like to know the process of getting machinery shipped from across the pond. They have substantially lower prices on well equipped farm tractors.

It's a fairly simple process. You first need to get an agreement with your vendor. You can ask for CIF cost (which includes Freight and carriage insurance)
or FOB which includes delivery to the departure port/airport (basically means ready to load) but you pay for the freight (and insurance) yourself.
In both cases the export process is handled and paid by the vendor. You dont want Ex-Works because local transportation and the export process become your responsibility. Although it is not impossible to do, it makes things way more complicated and often more expensive.
Depending on the size of the equipment it can be shipped in a closed container or flat rack container but can also be shipped on RO-RO vessel (Roll On-Roll Off) if rolling equipment or LO-LO (Lift On -Lift Off). RO-RO, when available, is often the cheapest option but is normally reserved for vehicles or machinery that have a propulsion system. It is basically a floating multilevel parking lot. Some companies might accept trailer type equipment but that would need to be verified with the shipping line.
Closed containers will generally be more expensive than RO-RO but offer the advantage that the equipment is protected from the elements and from possible tampering.
The shipping agent of the vendor should be able to guide you in that respect.

Then you need to get yourself a customs broker that works out of your local seaport, whom normally should be able to handle everything at your end.
You will have to pay import duties, applicable sales tax and various handling charges and of course your broker's fee.
All in all not that complicated...

 

[Deleted member 371759]

This seems like weird thread to me. I've bought machines used all my life and still do. There are a lot of stories here about people being taken advantage of, and some sound more like folk tales to me.

My own experience is different. Maybe half of the machines I've looked at were poorly described, and it is easy enough to tell if that was done deliberately. If so, the seller is a jerk so best to just leave. What's to say?

The other half are good used machines described honestly. Those are the ones I look over to see that everything works as it should. A machine that looks good and has worked for a few years with everything is working normally is likely to keep on doing so. I often end up wondering why the owner is selling it.

In fact, figuring out why someone is selling something that works well is a fascinating part of buying used equipment.
rScott

I like getting the story behind things when I buy them. For me that is a large part of the experience. My OBS Ford truck was sold to me by a man whos brother had died suddenly and it was left to him. It got to the point where he could not do the repairs himself and could not afford to have a mechanic do the repairs. OIl pump, trans, clutch. Big stuff. I bought it from him and he cried, then his wife started crying. It was horrible and great all at the same time. He made me promise to send him pictures as the project progressed. Last year I sent him pictures of the interior with new door panels, new headliner and the truck just generally made right again. Right now I have the truck in my shop doing body work and getting it ready to paint. I will send him another set of pictures when its done. Sometimes when a item is poorly described its because there is sentimental value attached to it and other times the owner really does not know better.

 

[wolc123]

One common denominator of the good deals I have found on used stuff, is that I know the history of the item. The last one is a good example. There was a 1950’s Farmall Cub parked in the back of the factory where I have worked the last 20 years. It had a snowplow on it. I saw it used one time, my first year, and not once since then.

The factory maintenance guy told me that his father (who had the same job before him), had bought it with a sickle bar, to mow along the perimeter fence line. That attachment had been scrapped years before. The snowplow didn’t work so well around the factory, as everyone preferred moving snow around with a bobcat type loader machine instead.

New management came in and decided to “clean out the junk”. I was high bidder on the Cub at the silent auction last fall. I bid, to the penny, what I thought it was worth ($783.17). The tractor looked to me like it had less than 400 hours on it, based on observable wear.

I winched it onto a trailer I borrowed from my favorite Farmall mechanic, and dropped it off at his shop on my way home. He took his time over the winter, changing all the fluids, tuned it up, and replaced the radiator hoses and carburetor (charged me $445).

This thing runs and works like a new tractor now:

My favorite thing about it is that I can haul it around in my old pickup truck.

That old pickup was another sweet deal. It was owned by an uncle who kept it in Florida in the winter and it don’t have a spot of rust on it (cost me $5k with 60k miles on it).

 

[gstrom99]

I often end up wondering why the owner is selling it.

In fact, figuring out why someone is selling something that works well is a fascinating part of buying used equipment.
rScotty

I ALWAYS ask "why are you selling it?", and hope/question(?) that the answer is believable. Even if I've brought a trailer (max ~ two hour drive away for me), I'm not afraid to come home empty. Has only happened a few times for me ...

 

[tacticalturnip]

@wolc123 every time I see your Farmall in the back of a pickup...

 

[Deleted member 371759]

I ALWAYS ask "why are you selling it?", and hope/question(?) that the answer is believable. Even if I've brought a trailer (max ~ two hour drive away for me), I'm not afraid to come home empty. Has only happened a few times for me ...

When I see something I already know I want, a lot of times I stop the seller from talking. Then I say... I'm going to buy this, I dont care whats wrong, please now just be 100% with me about what is going on. It works almost every time.