tcl
New member
Can some one please tell me what " grey market tractor" means?
Grey Market tractors
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Bird
Rest in Peace
Basically, a gray market tractor is one that was manufactured and sold in another country, then later imported to the U.S.A. and may not meet all our safety or pollution standards, etc. They also may not have parts support from the manufacturer in this country. You can read about the gray Kubotas here.
Tractors4u
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For some the term <font color="red"> </font><font color="blue" class="small">( GREY MARKET )</font> </font> strikes fear in their hearts. They aren't bad tractors and they aren't illegal. The car you drive was built to a specific set of standards so that it could be sold in the US. If you took your car to Japan and sold it, it would be a grey market car.
Bird
Rest in Peace
I agree, Brent, but think buyers of gray market tractors in this country, as well as the buyers of American made "gray market" cars in Japan, should know what they're getting, have some idea of where to obtain parts and service if required, or know that they may have to do the work themselves. In other words, just know what they're getting into, and in many cases the gray market machine may be the best way to go for some and not a good way to go for others.
gbirky
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It is illegal to import Kubota tractors into the U.S. Kubota got an SEC ruling to stop importation of used "gray market" Kubota tractors based primarily on "unfair" competition, but also safety reasons.
Other tractor brands are also imported and include:
Hinomoto
Iseki
Mistubishi (Satoh)
Yanmar
Mitsubishi and Yanmar both sold tractors new in the U.S. at one time. So not all Yanmar or Mitsubishi/Satoh tractors found in the U.S. are gray market.
Other tractor brands are also imported and include:
Hinomoto
Iseki
Mistubishi (Satoh)
Yanmar
Mitsubishi and Yanmar both sold tractors new in the U.S. at one time. So not all Yanmar or Mitsubishi/Satoh tractors found in the U.S. are gray market.
kayssupply
Platinum Member
The Kubotas you are talking about would actually be "Black Market". However, a willy guy figured out that he could bring them in under the ZenNoh label. That is another touchy subject. He actually patented/trademarked the name and now, no one else can bring them in.
Soundguy
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I was wondering when somebody was going to mention the zennoh issue... adds a whole new facet to brand/badge names.. and greys in general..
Soundguy
Soundguy
hosejockey2002
Gold Member
Yep, my Yanmar is labeled a Zen-noh, but it was imported by before the Zen-noh name was purchased by this importer we're talking about.
TractorGurl
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So where can we find this importer? Is he underground? /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
YanmarFever
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<font color="blue"> So where can we find this importer? Is he underground? </font>
No, but there are some folks that wish he was !
No, but there are some folks that wish he was !
Bob_Skurka
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</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Can some one please tell me what " grey market tractor" means? )</font>
It really should be pointed out that there are 'legitimate' grey market dealers who back their products, have parts, and are very knowledgable. It should also be pointed out that there are a lot of shady grey market dealers who prey on unknowledgable buyers, and don't support their products or even back their warrenties. We have seen examples of these tractors many times on TBN. We also have a few very good grey market dealers who are members of TBN. (Wayne, who posts under the name LMTC, and Ernie who posts as TractorErnie are legitimate grey market dealers who come to mind).
Under any circumstances, if you buy a grey market tractor you want to buy from a legitmate dealer. If I was buying one, I would also only consider a more common brand and a more common model so that parts would be easier to get and so that there were more people around who would be familiar with the tractor.
It really should be pointed out that there are 'legitimate' grey market dealers who back their products, have parts, and are very knowledgable. It should also be pointed out that there are a lot of shady grey market dealers who prey on unknowledgable buyers, and don't support their products or even back their warrenties. We have seen examples of these tractors many times on TBN. We also have a few very good grey market dealers who are members of TBN. (Wayne, who posts under the name LMTC, and Ernie who posts as TractorErnie are legitimate grey market dealers who come to mind).
Under any circumstances, if you buy a grey market tractor you want to buy from a legitmate dealer. If I was buying one, I would also only consider a more common brand and a more common model so that parts would be easier to get and so that there were more people around who would be familiar with the tractor.
mark777
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tci,
All great advice, and if your seriously considering a grey market tractor there are some "Buzz Words" that may raise a few red flags.
1) "Unique over seas partnership" This usually means the tractors are assembled from used and salvaged parts from somewhere other than Japan.
2) "Factory reconditioned" There is no grey market factory reconditioning facility done by any manufacturer. All used tractors from Japan...are used. They are either very good, good or ok and rated accordingly by class. Generally A, B, or C. respectively.
3) "0 (zero) hours on hour meter"...(or anything near 0). Absolutely true....as in you have a tractor with a brand new hour meter.
As Bob and others may indicate, there are allot of really good dealers out there. Unfortunately, there are many very bad dealers who are less than honest.
Mark
All great advice, and if your seriously considering a grey market tractor there are some "Buzz Words" that may raise a few red flags.
1) "Unique over seas partnership" This usually means the tractors are assembled from used and salvaged parts from somewhere other than Japan.
2) "Factory reconditioned" There is no grey market factory reconditioning facility done by any manufacturer. All used tractors from Japan...are used. They are either very good, good or ok and rated accordingly by class. Generally A, B, or C. respectively.
3) "0 (zero) hours on hour meter"...(or anything near 0). Absolutely true....as in you have a tractor with a brand new hour meter.
As Bob and others may indicate, there are allot of really good dealers out there. Unfortunately, there are many very bad dealers who are less than honest.
Mark
kenmac
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I guess it is ok to ask. Is MR. W#%&^@** still around ? I have heard him called a genius by some, and called a $#@****### by others /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
loaderbob
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Mark,
I not going to get in the debate again, but this unbalanced advice still bothers me. Interested readers can look for the threads from earlier this year. Fact is there are good reconditioned tractor dealers that support their products and have happy customers... There are also used tractor dealers that leave people high and dry. It is no different than shopping for a used car, they are all used. Reputation of the dealer is paramount. If any has any questions about recon dealers I can try to help them out as always...
Sorry for not being around the last couple of weeks but I have been busy helping out with Katrina relief. My team of 5 just finished our 2nd extended mission to Waveland, Mississippi since the 3rd day after Katrina hit. I will be busy this week planning our 3rd mission for sometime after the 18th of this month and will be gone for another 10days. Feel free to bash while I am gone... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Until then be on your best behavior... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Best Regards,
Bob
I not going to get in the debate again, but this unbalanced advice still bothers me. Interested readers can look for the threads from earlier this year. Fact is there are good reconditioned tractor dealers that support their products and have happy customers... There are also used tractor dealers that leave people high and dry. It is no different than shopping for a used car, they are all used. Reputation of the dealer is paramount. If any has any questions about recon dealers I can try to help them out as always...
Sorry for not being around the last couple of weeks but I have been busy helping out with Katrina relief. My team of 5 just finished our 2nd extended mission to Waveland, Mississippi since the 3rd day after Katrina hit. I will be busy this week planning our 3rd mission for sometime after the 18th of this month and will be gone for another 10days. Feel free to bash while I am gone... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Until then be on your best behavior... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Best Regards,
Bob
mark777
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Bob,
No debate here. Unbalanced? I don't believe so...in fact the post (ebay item 06/12/05) singled you out as a staunch supporter of your QA process and your network of Vietnam imports that you sell. Your process, warranty and business ethics were (are) regarded as you being an honest and reliable dealer.
If someone were in the market for a reconditioned, rebuilt or remanufactured tractor then I hope they are lucky enough to find your place of business and are able to talk to you personally. Your post provides some serious arguments on why one should buy from you. The experts, dealers, suppliers and individuals that frequent Japan and have visited the Vietnam factories provide the same serious arguments why one should not.
Anyone about to purchase a grey market tractor should read the above mentioned post as it represents both perspectives of used vs. reconditioned. My response with Buzz words and 1 through 3 are derivatives from personal experience, that, and other posts support that reply.
Regards, Mark
No debate here. Unbalanced? I don't believe so...in fact the post (ebay item 06/12/05) singled you out as a staunch supporter of your QA process and your network of Vietnam imports that you sell. Your process, warranty and business ethics were (are) regarded as you being an honest and reliable dealer.
If someone were in the market for a reconditioned, rebuilt or remanufactured tractor then I hope they are lucky enough to find your place of business and are able to talk to you personally. Your post provides some serious arguments on why one should buy from you. The experts, dealers, suppliers and individuals that frequent Japan and have visited the Vietnam factories provide the same serious arguments why one should not.
Anyone about to purchase a grey market tractor should read the above mentioned post as it represents both perspectives of used vs. reconditioned. My response with Buzz words and 1 through 3 are derivatives from personal experience, that, and other posts support that reply.
Regards, Mark
