Dealers passing old inventory as new

[tractorslinger]

Dealer here in Indiana.

Just wanted to make everyone aware of a growing trend I see around the country. I am seeing more and more dealers passing off old inventory as new. In the past week, I've ran up agaist this three times. I dont see this on 1 series, or 2 series very often, but when you get into the 3000 and 4000 series thats where this happens. Prices have changed dramaticly in the past couple years mainly due the EPA regulations. With all that said, there are ways to check the year on tractors. The best way is to get the serial number and check the serial number on the JDParts website. This can be hard to do. Sometimes the dealer will not give you a serial number. They claim they are ordering the tractor from the factory. If this is the case, get a quote from the dealer. You can then take the order codes from the quote and be sure they match with JD Configuator on deere.com

Not trying to bash all dealers here, but there are a couple that are making it unfair for all of us out here. You cant compare apples to apples when you have a 1-2 year gap in the machine. Any questions, or if you feel this is or has happend to you let me know and I can check the serial number.

 

[Zebrafive]

Rather than say passing off old as new, I think you mean passing off non current as current, or past models as the latest models. Sounds like tractors are getting like phones and computers.

 

[ddivinia]

In some cases you want the older one. I wanted a 5101E but they were all gone. I got a 5093e because it is a tier 3 engine. That will be hitting the 4xxx soon.

D.

 

[tractorslinger]

Thats fine as long as you are aware. I am speaking of dealers that tell a customer its a 2013 being ordered from the factory, but they are actually 2011s sitting on the lot.

 

[ddivinia]

Yeah - that isn't cool. I look at the paint fade on the wheels.

D.

 

[Dr_Zinj]

Just one more thing for the buyer to beware of.

 

[Furu]

With all that said, there are ways to check the year on tractors. The best way is to get the serial number and check the serial number on the JDParts website. .

I use the JDParts.com site frequently but have never seen where I can get the year of the tractor form the serial number. How do you do that?

 

[XSKIER]

I don't know if it applies to any other Deere equipment, but my '11 'R had a serial number tag zip tied to the ROPS with the date of manufacture on it. My H120 FEL has a "DOM" on it, but the 54D and 54QH do not. I don't see what the big deal is.

I think tractorslinger is jealous or something that somebody is beating his prices. So what if a tractor has sit in a sealed warehouse for a year and a half? So what if the dealer has written off a years worth of floor plan payments on it? So what if a dealer is able to offer the same model cheaper than the next dealer over?

Consumers are always seeking the cheapest price on their purchases. Take two similar tractors, one is "thousands less", there will be buyers lined up around the block for it. Really... If all customers were holding out for the best, there would be no orange, red, or blue tractors sold ever!

 

[tractorslinger]

I don't know if it applies to any other Deere equipment, but my '11 'R had a serial number tag zip tied to the ROPS with the date of manufacture on it. My H120 FEL has a "DOM" on it, but the 54D and 54QH do not. I don't see what the big deal is.

I think tractorslinger is jealous or something that somebody is beating his prices. So what if a tractor has sit in a sealed warehouse for a year and a half? So what if the dealer has written off a years worth of floor plan payments on it? So what if a dealer is able to offer the same model cheaper than the next dealer over?

Consumers are always seeking the cheapest price on their purchases. Take two similar tractors, one is "thousands less", there will be buyers lined up around the block for it. Really... If all customers were holding out for the best, there would be no orange, red, or blue tractors sold ever!

So you're saying its alright to lie to consumers? This has nothing to do with price. I'm the cheapest dealer in the US. Ask anybody on this site or anywhere else. I ship more tractors across the US from Alaska to California. What Im warning agaist is a dealer telling a customer they are getting a 2013 model and they get a 2011 model. This has to do with doing whats right. I know thats pretty hard to find anymore, but telling customers they are getting a 2013 tractor, when they are actually getting a 2011 is not right. Hard to believe anyone would disagree with that.
Not only are they getting a machine that is sitting OUTSIDE (find a dealer that puts tractors indoors, most sit outside. Don't fool yourself), they are getting different options than what the current model year may have. I have no problem if the consumer knows they are getting an older model, more power to you if you can save money.

In regards to "Consumers want the chepest price". There is some truth to this, but customers also want service, and don't want to be lied to. If it was all about price, you wouldnt be looking at John Deere.

 

[tractorslinger]

I use the JDParts.com site frequently but have never seen where I can get the year of the tractor form the serial number. How do you do that?

My fault, it actually only shows on the dealer end of jdparts.com Thanks

 

[Gator6x4]

Yeah - that isn't cool. I look at the paint fade on the wheels.

D.

The sun is not hot in Georgia. The fading of paint fade is only one of many problems that can occur when the hot Georgia Sun spreads those lovely UV's around on the rubber, vinyl and plastic parts.

 

[Gator6x4]

So you're saying its alright to lie to consumers? This has nothing to do with price. I'm the cheapest dealer in the US. Ask anybody on this site or anywhere else. I ship more tractors across the US from Alaska to California. What Im warning agaist is a dealer telling a customer they are getting a 2013 model and they get a 2011 model. This has to do with doing whats right. I know thats pretty hard to find anymore, but telling customers they are getting a 2013 tractor, when they are actually getting a 2011 is not right. Hard to believe anyone would disagree with that.
Not only are they getting a machine that is sitting OUTSIDE (find a dealer that puts tractors indoors, most sit outside. Don't fool yourself), they are getting different options than what the current model year may have. I have no problem if the consumer knows they are getting an older model, more power to you if you can save money.

In regards to "Consumers want the chepest price". There is some truth to this, but customers also want service, and don't want to be lied to. If it was all about price, you wouldnt be looking at John Deere.

Tractorslinger you sound like a reputable dealer. If I lived in your area I would pay you a visit if I needed a tractor or other piece of equipment. I am all for saving money. One problem I have with out-of-state or cross state sales is the local dealer gets stuck with warranty work if any is required.

I sat outside a Green Dealers office door one time for 30-45 minutes waiting to get in to see him while he tried to patiently explain to an individual that he could not devote man hours and money to repair the dings and scratches on the tractor he purchased from a dealer in another state.

The individual became very hostile and irate and stormed out with I will never be back here again. He left photos he had taken of his new tractor showing the damage he wanted repaired. It looked terrible, but I do not feel it was the local dealers place to repair the pre delivery damage.

I like you also do not feel a dealer should deliver a tractor to someone, scratched, dented, with high hours and faded paint, after representing the tractor as new and charging thousands of dollars for the product.

Tractors today cost more than some automobiles. Yet some think individuals should accept damaged tractors simply because it is a tractor. Some also don't understand a car can be driven in for warranty service. A tractor has to be delivered for warranty service on a roll-back wrecker. Roll-Back Wreckers aren't cheap. Yet some think a dealer should provide this service for free, have a large well staffed warranty repair facility and still sell tractors making only a couple hundred in profit on new sales.

 

[tractorslinger]

Thanks for the response.

I always tell customers if they dont like the tractor when they get, dont take it. I've never had anyone refuse a peice of equipment, but I always give people the option. Thanks again.

 

[TCowner]

This happened to me about 15 years ago when I purchased a "new" 855 John Deere compact utility tractor. When it was delivered it had about 10-15 hours on it and there was no damage but the paint didn't have the brand new look and there was surface rust in several areas. It turns out it was from another dealer out of state that he had transferred in but the serial # showed the tractor was almost 3 years old. It obviously had beet sitting outside the entire 3 years. I complained about the appearance and that I had purchased a new tractor not some "left over" inventory from another dealer.

I told the dealer to cancel the deal, take back the tractor or find me a new tractor. He was able to find one actually closer, with about 1 hour on the meter, and had the shiny new John Deere paint that we all like so much. When he got the new tractor in he actually parked it beside the one he had taken back. I asked him to look at the two tractors and tell me which one he would want if he just bought a "new" tractor.

So the bottom line for me is that a "new" tractor, or car, or pickup, or chainsaw, or anything else means new, not left over inventory marked for clearance. Now, if a dealer says that he can get a low hour tractor that has the full new tractor warranty but that has been sitting on lot for 3 years but a reduced cost, and I agree, then that is a different story. If the cost savings offsets the appearance issues and dealer is upfront about it then I am fine with the deal. Just don't try to hide the fact the item has been sitting outside for a new years.

 

[TCowner]

This happened to me about 15 years ago when I purchased a "new" 855 John Deere compact utility tractor. When it was delivered it had about 10-15 hours on it and there was no damage but the paint didn't have the brand new look and there was surface rust in several areas. It turns out it was from another dealer out of state that he had transferred in but the serial # showed the tractor was almost 3 years old. It obviously had beet sitting outside the entire 3 years. I complained about the appearance and that I had purchased a new tractor not some "left over" inventory from another dealer.

I told the dealer to cancel the deal, take back the tractor or find me a new tractor. He was able to find one actually closer, with about 1 hour on the meter, and had the shiny new John Deere paint that we all like so much. When he got the new tractor in he actually parked it beside the one he had taken back. I asked him to look at the two tractors and tell me which one he would want if he just bought a "new" tractor.

So the bottom line for me is that a "new" tractor, or car, or pickup, or chainsaw, or anything else means new, not left over inventory marked for clearance. Now, if a dealer says that he can get a low hour tractor that has the full new tractor warranty but that has been sitting on lot for 3 years but a reduced cost, and I agree, then that is a different story. If the cost savings offsets the appearance issues and dealer is upfront about it then I am fine with the deal. Just don't try to hide the fact the item has been sitting outside for a new years.

 

[lilranch2001]

So you're saying its alright to lie to consumers? This has nothing to do with price. I'm the cheapest dealer in the US. Ask anybody on this site or anywhere else. I ship more tractors across the US from Alaska to California. What Im warning agaist is a dealer telling a customer they are getting a 2013 model and they get a 2011 model. This has to do with doing whats right. I know thats pretty hard to find anymore, but telling customers they are getting a 2013 tractor, when they are actually getting a 2011 is not right. Hard to believe anyone would disagree with that.
Not only are they getting a machine that is sitting OUTSIDE (find a dealer that puts tractors indoors, most sit outside. Don't fool yourself), they are getting different options than what the current model year may have. I have no problem if the consumer knows they are getting an older model, more power to you if you can save money.

In regards to "Consumers want the chepest price". There is some truth to this, but customers also want service, and don't want to be lied to. If it was all about price, you wouldnt be looking at John Deere.

Just curious, are you Jim Mutton?

 

[tractorslinger]

No, I am the manager at Mutton Power Equipment. My name is Shane Logan.

 

[PRF]

No, I am the manager at Mutton Power Equipment. My name is Shane Logan.

And you're right Shane.. Passing off a 2011 as a 2013 is just plain fraudulent ..not cool

 

[LD1]

First let me say that if a dealer is indeed outright lying to a customer and telling them a 2011 model is a 2013 model, then that is wrong.

But now let me play devils advocate for a minute:

First, where are you getting the information that dealers are doing this?? Cause being a manager at a dealer, you dont sound like you go around to other dealers as a pretend shopper. So if your information is coming from customers that shopped around and came to you, consider the source.

Second, Just because a tractor is old, or a 2011 or 2012 model, doesnt meant that it cannot be new. I dont imagine tractors move like cars. It shouldnt be uncommon to find year or two old tractors that are still new. And selling them as new I dont see anything wrong with. Dont warranties and such go from date of purchase?? Not date of MFG??

So if a dealer has a tractor sitting on the lot, and has been there for a few years, NEVER sold, but racked up 8-10 hours worth of demo-ing for tire kickers, do you think it is still wrong to sell that tractor as new??? cause I certainly wouldnt call it used.

So to sum it up, I agree that selling a 2011 as a 2013 is just plain wrong, if indeed that is what is going on. But selling a 2011 NOS tractor as "new", I see nothing wrong with it. I think this could just be a case of a customer or two going to the dealer down the street, looking at a "new" tractor, and when they found out it was a 2011 or 2012 model year, they thought the dealer was lying to them when all the dealer "may" have said is that its a new tractor????????????????????????

 

[tractorslinger]

I have had some customers send me the order codes on the quote itself. Pretty easy to tell its a 2011 model.

I agree with you, I sell old price inventory whenever I can, but the difference is I tell the customer upfront.

There is a huge difference between years, at least with Deere. For example after 2011, Deere increased the HP on 4000 series tractors. If a dealer is telling a customer its a 2013 model and it is a 2011 model, that could be 6-7 hp difference. Where I come from, thats a big deal. There are also other options that have changed , but regardless, I do agree with you on the customer saving money, but they do deserve to know what they are buying.