Buying long distance !

[Guttery_Gipe]

The good news - Im found a Zetor tractor on the internet that I think would be ideal fit for my needs. Its got low hours and configured just how I would want it and is for sale through an established dealer that has been responsive to my queries.

The bad new - its located 700 miles from me !

Is there a way I can get this tractor inspected by a good mechanic ?
Or should I just forget about it and stick with whats available locally ?

 

[bp fick]

I don't think I'd give up. If the price, with the shipping figured in, still is good and the machine is what you want, Yes, I'd buy from a distance.

Yes, while you might "trust" this dealer, but still, another set of eyes would be very helpful. Not sure I would give up on it.

 

[zzvyb6]

Forget it and buy locally. That'a a 2 day drive. Unless of course its a relative's (like Dad's), or a friend's. What is so special about that particular tractor that you can't find within 25 miles? Are there Zetor parts in your locale?

 

[Guttery_Gipe]

If I was going for it Id have it shipped. Cost wise it would still pan out.

Im on the road a good bit with my day job and would have good enough access to parts. And not farming full time so I can wait a day or two for parts if needed.

Good weight (~7000lbs) + loader + cab + >1000 hours isnt that easy for me to find locally.

 

[thatguy]

If I was going for it Id have it shipped. Cost wise it would still pan out.

Im on the road a good bit with my day job and would have good enough access to parts. And not farming full time so I can wait a day or two for parts if needed.

Good weight (~7000lbs) + loader + cab + >1000 hours isnt that easy for me to find locally.

Just make sure it isnt a SCAM!! I think you can safely say, if it sounds too good to be true you are about to be had...

good luck
b

 

[Whitey]

I have bought long distance twice.........with outstanding results. What I have done both times is to sit down and put together a list of important questions about the machine. Specific questions concerning condition, maintenance, hours......etc. Then as you ask the seller those questions write the answers down and then put them into a sales agreement or what I have called a condition report / acknowledgement that will be signed off by the seller. If they balk at signing it then you should walk away. If they sign it and you get the machine and it is not as the condition report outlines then you have a written document to use for recourse. Then you can file a judgement in the sellers area through a magistrate........which you can do through the mail. PS......I did spend a lot of time on a JD once......the seller would not sign off on the condition report even though he provided the information. I walked away from the sale.

 

[Guttery_Gipe]

Whitey - thats an interesting Idea. I think I'll try that.
I was thinking how I could make something like that a condition of the sale.

I dont think its a scam - Ive found the dealer in Yellow book and when I call the same number & ask for Parts Dept it checks out.

 

[nickel plate]

I've done this once on this forum when I purchased a new Woods BH90-X backhoe from a brick and mortar store on the other side of our country from me. I posted the outfit's name and ask for opinions from those that have had dealings with them.
My concern was that after paying in advance, would I receive the backhoe as per their promise. It worked out great, thanks again to Dan at Rosseel"s Farm and Garden Supply in Michigan.

 

[Builder]

The good news - Im found a Zetor tractor on the internet that I think would be ideal fit for my needs. Its got low hours and configured just how I would want it and is for sale through an established dealer that has been responsive to my queries.

The bad new - its located 700 miles from me !

Is there a way I can get this tractor inspected by a good mechanic ?
Or should I just forget about it and stick with whats available locally ?

I buy all around the country. I bought a backhoe from 3000 miles away in CA, a MACK tri-axle from SC, another dumptruck from TN, a farm tractor from upstate NY.

Just ask for a lot of pics and if it's really a concern, hire a local tractor mec and have him look it over. I had a NH dealer look my backhoe over and fax me a report. Trucks I bought based on pictures. So far so good.

I'd rather take a chance and get almost exactly what I want if it's a long ways away.

700 miles is nothing. I see equip. shipped all over the world.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Builder, where you been the last 2 months?

 

[Builder]

I got canned by moss road & moderators for a month then got nailed with a ton of backhoe & dumptruck work. lol

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Good news about all the work. Nice to see you back here also.

 

[Builder]

Thanks! Great to hear from you.
I'll only be here sparingly in the future. In my "time out", I found a great website that caters more towards guys who work for a living with tractors & equipment, farmers, landscapers, construction, etc.

 

[3RRL]

If I was going for it Id have it shipped. Cost wise it would still pan out.

Im on the road a good bit with my day job and would have good enough access to parts. And not farming full time so I can wait a day or two for parts if needed.

Good weight (~7000lbs) + loader + cab + >1000 hours isnt that easy for me to find locally.

From what you say here it sounds like you would take the parts and do the labor yourself, right?
If that's so, then go ahead and buy it. I too, have bought long distance twice. Once from 2000 miles away and another from across the world ... directly from China. I get parts from dealers via UPS or Fed-X with no problems. I always planned on doing the work myself so no big deal.
Do Make sure you have:
-An Owners/Operating Manual with all maintenance schedules
-A tractor parts list with exploded views
-An engine parts list (if the engine is made by other than Zetor)
That will get you to be able to make your own repairs.

 

[Guttery_Gipe]

Thanks - Im encouraged by what I read. You guys buying used - right ?

I sent the dealer an email and asked him for suggestions.
While I might not go along with it I thought it would at least give me some
insight into his level of confidence in his tractor.

 

[Guttery_Gipe]

Oh and yes - my intention would be to do the repair work myself (outside of a major split or rebuild). Not many mechanics have alot of experience with these units anyway from what I can tell.

 

[Sawmilllawyer]

Guttery Gipe, I have purchased high dollar chainsaws from 1400 miles away with excellent results. Another set of eyes, can always be helpful. On the bigger items the shipping can kill the deal. But if you calculated that and the condition of the tractor and the dealer's reputation, all check out. Then, I say "Go for it". Maybe even structure the deal 1/2 up front and 1/2 on delivery and acceptance. Some control of the purse strings, generally insures fewer mistakes, if ya know what I mean.

 

[bellcon]

Thanks! Great to hear from you.
I'll only be here sparingly in the future. In my "time out", I found a great website that caters more towards guys who work for a living with tractors & equipment, farmers, landscapers, construction, etc.

Hi Builder,
Care to share this web site??
Thanks, Scott

 

[Coyote machine]

I too would like to know the web site name

And as far as buying from a distance, a friend of mine just bought a Kioti DK- 55 Kioti with about 400 hours and had it shipped to him. So far its been everything he had hoped for.
He searched for a decent shipping price and found that too.
Good luck, and be cautious- if anything sounds off- walk away.

 

[woodlandfarms]

Buying used no matter what is a crapshoot. Even the best mechanic can miss stuff, and you never know when that something will break.

I would think you could get someone for $100 or so to go take a look. And I would spend that money.

I bought my tractor from Tennesse, and had it shipped up to Washington state. The tactor arrived as described, but had issues that came out that no mechanic would have seen (basically seals going out from sitting too long).

As for shipping, I found USHIP to be a great website to handle long haul items.

Carl Beyer