I might need to sell my 7710-II

[bigbull338]

yes i read your complete post.an yes i know your out of work.still that doesnt mean you have to sell the tractor.an youd be crazy to part the tractor out.an your not talking to some greenhorn.ive been farming an dairing all my life as well as running beef cattle.dairied for 28yrs.sell the tractor to the dealer that did the work.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

The dealer will take the tractor in trade for the bill. I would still owe over $6k on my loan on the 7710. If I can sell the tractor and pay off my loan and the dealer takes what is left and then we are even would be one thing. But so far the dealer isn't budging unless I have cash in hand. Only then will they start to negotiate.

I do not want to get rid of the tractor but at the same time it would not make financial sense to spend $13k to fix a $15k tractor. I put new tires on it last year so I know I could sell the wheels for a decent amount as well as the tranny and the cab if someone wanted to do some work as the cab is in excellent condition. I probably could have paid off my loan and then some with just the parts that were good or sold the tractor off as is for what I owe. These are all options that would have been discussed if I was given an accurate quote for what they planned to do regardless of my input.

 

[bigbull338]

well heres the deal.you owe $6000 on the tractor.an have a $13000 bill on it.sale or keep your in to deep to come out.thats why i said tough it out an pay for the repairs.if you sell the tractor your in a mess because your going to buy another one in time.its best to see if you can tack $13000 on your loan.an keep the tractor.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

I have talked to CNH who holds the loan as well as Farm Credit. CNH does not add to loans and Farm Credit won't loan me any money because I am not able to work and had exhausted my bank account up till my one insurance check came in a couple weeks ago.

There is no way I can just pay the bill and right now the only way I can expect to come up with that much in cash is when I get my last insurance check and hopefully I will have a somewhat decent tax return but not working since mid october hurt my income level

 

[charlz]

So basically you owe $20k on a $15k tractor ($13k repair bill + $7k loan). I don't know if the same laws that protect consumers from car garages apply to tractor dealers. It's worth investigating.

I don't see how they could have proceeded with replacing that engine without talking to you. They know the value of the tractor as well as you do. Either they are predatory or there was a conversation you don't remember.

You mention there is still 60 hours worth of labor on the bill? I would have a conversation with the manager/owner. Obviously there were mistakes made. If they could completely wipe any labor charges and stop charging you interest you might be down to say owing $17k on a $15k tractor. I dunno how tractor sales go but if you sell it via the dealer the check probably goes to your loan. Assuming you can get $15k for it you still owe the dealer $2k which you might handle with equipment turn in.

Alternative option is to get a lawyer and drag the whole mess to court. If the consumer protection laws cover you it would be cut and dried. If not it could get quite expensive and messy.

Crappy deal but if you can negotiate it down to an amount you can cover without having to put up any cash I would do that and walk away. They pay off your loan and take the tractor plus some equipment. No way would I hand them a tractor I still owe $7k on. If you hand them the keys they essentially are making the difference between what the tractor is worth and the repair bill AND they are making money off the labor charges.... nice sweet deal for them.

Charles

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Charles, what is sad is they just did all the work on the tractor, know its history (they put the new tires on it last year as well as the winter fix program NH puts on) and know how I treat it. They do not have to do any work at all to this tractor in order to put it on their lot to sell. Yet they only are offering trade value on the tractor to cover the bill. My salesman friend even told me they would sell my tractor for a minimum of $15k if I traded it to them. I feel bad for my friends there as they know the situation but there is nothing they can do about it.

I know the markup on parts (they charged MSRP on almost everything including the short block), if they could eat their parts profit as well as some more labor (since it was their mistake even though they won't admit it ) it would bring the cost down to a much more manageable number and if they would work with me on a payment program until I can get the rest of the money then everything would be great and I wouldn't be having this discussion. But right now all that they really care about is cash in hand. Until I have a substancial amount of money I have no leverage for negotiating short of hiring a lawyer. And what happens there, pay a lawyer $4k to save $4k? I learned to be a man and confront problems (ironically from this manager) so I do not want to pay a laywer to talk for me. But I am planning on talking to one after the 1st. I know if it did go to court I have two local friends who farm a good amount of land and they will testify to the fact this is a common practice with this garage. They treat you well and then they nail you with a bill like mine to make up for all the good will they gave you over the last few years.

I will keep everyone informed as I make headway in this situation.

 

[blueriver]

Robert ... I have said it earlier in this post and I will say it again ...ATTORNEY... I know all situations can be ugly, and this one is certainly that! Listen, I have been to the point where, well you just wonder. In 1986 I had back surgery, a walk in the park compared to your situation.

Anyway, there is an old saying, "take the bull by the horn" Just my opinion, I thinks its time to make a phone call and tell them, LOOK you are putting the shaft to me and I am not going to tolerate this anymore, remind them about your loyal patronage to them, how good of a customer you have been and try to negotiate a settlement, if its good for you and good for them then its a good deal. A VERY stong letter from a reputable attorney, cost maybe a hundred or so bucks, may very well intimidate them to the become more open minded and become very willing to discuss things.

In closing, I know when a man is down even a hundred bucks or so can be alot, and please, please do not be offended when I tell you ...step up and tell them they have s***wed you!

Your TBN S.E. Oklahoma free advise friend!!

 

[Robert_in_NY]

I am planning on talking to a lawyer after the 1st and from there I will talk to the dealer one more time in hopes of coming to a peaceful solution. If I can't figure something out then I will do what is in my best interest and for some reason people in this area listen to me when it comes to machinery so I have not told very many people locally about this situation except for the people I am closest to. If things don't end well I will not hide the situation from anyone, even to the point of discussing this situation with my friends at the local newspaper. I just don't want to get to that point but the cards are in the dealers hand so its his call on how we play this game.

 

[blueriver]

I am planning on talking to a lawyer after the 1st and from there I will talk to the dealer one more time in hopes of coming to a peaceful solution. If I can't figure something out then I will do what is in my best interest and for some reason people in this area listen to me when it comes to machinery so I have not told very many people locally about this situation except for the people I am closest to. If things don't end well I will not hide the situation from anyone, even to the point of discussing this situation with my friends at the local newspaper. I just don't want to get to that point but the cards are in the dealers hand so its his call on how we play this game.

We have never shook hands or shared a cup of coffee, from your post that I read your knowlegable about a variety of things, and yes do what is in your best interest! If I was an attorney, in your area .. well I'd love to be in your corner!! Happy New year!

 

[Robert_in_NY]

We have never shook hands or shared a cup of coffee, from your post that I read your knowlegable about a variety of things, and yes do what is in your best interest! If I was an attorney, in your area .. well I'd love to be in your corner!! Happy New year!

Thanks, I hope the new year is better then this one

I hope you have a Happy New Year too