Buying a tractor sight unseen...

[SWIFFY]

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]

Caveat Emptor

Advice from 2,000 years ago, Buyer Beware.

 

[Peter 315]

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

 

[rademamj1]

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]

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]

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]

I guess so far im hearing exactly what i expected! Thanks!

 

[tallyho8]

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]

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]

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.