Another rant about buying used

[OK.Montana]

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.

Well I have a dandy 1957 JD with a hard to find full cultivator… if you’re interested . Oklahoma

 

[Paystar]

"As soon as I got there and saw it, I knew I was getting fleeced. But stupid me..."

That's right. Trust your first instinct, you should have walked away. If you had, you wouldn't have had to make this post.

Well no, I just made this post because I'm sick of 80% of humanity nowadays. That's my only point.
I still wanted the tractor and it's 100% better now that I went through it.

I realize everyone wants to make a buck, but it's just disheartening how dishonest everyone is today.

 

[tacticalturnip]

I think we all understand the feeling to some extent.

 

[Paystar]

I think we all understand the feeling to some extent.

But luckily you then meet the good members of society.

Prince Township Tractor Cruise

Holidays are booked!

www.tractorbynet.com

 

[CalG]

I look at every purchase I make , new or used, as a "kit" that I'm going to have to put right as I want it to be.

If its only fluids, I'm a happy camper!

When I bought the Fordson E27n (over 45 years now) It needed crank shaft main bearings. Little did I know they are poured babbit.
I learned a lot. It's not all paint and clean oil!

 

[CalG]

In what way is the tractor "better" than when you first brought it home?
Will it pull more?
Will it start more readily?
Will it carry a greater weight?
Is it more maneuverable?

Better? hmmmmm So subjective.

Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder!

Well no, I just made this post because I'm sick of 80% of humanity nowadays. That's my only point.
I still wanted the tractor and it's 100% better now that I went through it.

I realize everyone wants to make a buck, but it's just disheartening how dishonest everyone is today

 

[Paystar]

In what way is the tractor "better" than when you first brought it home?
Will it pull more?
Will it start more readily?
Will it carry a greater weight?
Is it more maneuverable?

Better? hmmmmm So subjective.

Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder!

It has brakes now, new return springs, new 3 point levelling box/lift arm, I fixed all the oil leaks, has a working light switch, new fluids and filters. Relatively minor stuff and not a big deal, except for when the seller tells you over and over "totally restored, all new parts. All new fluids and filters. No leaks, just spills. I'll send you a new light switch by mail (never happened)"

Maybe it's just me, but I always thought "restored" and "fully rebuilt with all new parts" means that everything functions and doesn't leak all over? Guess my standards are higher than most.

At least the people I bought the Allis and Massey's from were up front, "this is the price I want and this is what's wrong with them."

Then I had two other deals I was working on. One Massey was from a restoration shop. One was another Ford 9N
I agreed on the asking price, didn't try to bargain at all, then I only asked for videos of them running before I made the long drive and all of a sudden they didn't want to talk to me any more.

 

[2manyrocks]

I drove a couple of hours to buy a tractor after the seller told me he would hold the tractor until I got there by a specific time. When I got there on time, another guy had just loaded it on the trailer and told me, "I beat you to it." My feeling at the time was that if the seller wasn't going to do what he promised, I didn't want to buy from him and the other guy was welcome to it and whatever problems came with it.

 

[Mike1955]

Buying “long distance” sure puts the buyer at a disadvantage.
It seems like the only way you can try to claw back some type of advantage over the seller is to bring a wad of cash and make your firm offer, or be very tough and point out the shortcomings of the item you are buying without ticking off seller TOO much.

I have really grown to dislike buying used equipment more than 50 miles from my home

Sounds like you would be standing on his front porch if things didn’t pan out!

 

[Hay Dude]

Well no, I just made this post because I'm sick of 80% of humanity nowadays. That's my only point.
I still wanted the tractor and it's 100% better now that I went through it.

I realize everyone wants to make a buck, but it's just disheartening how dishonest everyone is today.

I just sold a tractor with a $5,000 repair issue. Disclosed it to seller.
I could have kept my mouth shut and hosed the guy.

I’m no angel, but I always believed in “do unto others as ……oh you know….the thing”