Looking for Advice: Starting a Spare Parts Business

[KingHenry22]

Hi everyone,


I’m new here and wanted to introduce myself. My family has been in the agricultural parts trade abroad for over 30 years, and I’m now preparing to expand and open a small business focusing on tractor (and possibly truck) spare parts in the U.S, based in California. I want to make sure I start off on the right foot and actually stock parts that are most useful to folks in the field.

For those of you with more hands-on experience:

• Which tractor brands and models do you use most?
• What are the most common breakdowns or parts you find yourself replacing regularly?
• Are there certain brands of parts (OEM vs aftermarket) you find more reliable or better value?
• Any advice for someone new to the U.S. market when it comes to stocking or sourcing parts?

I’d really appreciate any insights you can share. My goal is to learn from the people who actually use these machines every day so I can better serve the community when I get up and running.

Thanks in advance for your time and knowledge!

 

[WaffleDespair]

Hi everyone,


I’m new here and wanted to introduce myself. My family has been in the agricultural parts trade abroad for over 30 years, and I’m now preparing to expand and open a small business focusing on tractor (and possibly truck) spare parts in the U.S, based in California. I want to make sure I start off on the right foot and actually stock parts that are most useful to folks in the field.

For those of you with more hands-on experience:

• Which tractor brands and models do you use most?
• What are the most common breakdowns or parts you find yourself replacing regularly?
• Are there certain brands of parts (OEM vs aftermarket) you find more reliable or better value?
• Any advice for someone new to the U.S. market when it comes to stocking or sourcing parts?

I’d really appreciate any insights you can share. My goal is to learn from the people who actually use these machines every day so I can better serve the community when I get up and running.

Thanks in advance for your time and knowledge!
I’ve been around tractors and parts a bit, mostly from a user’s side rather than running a business. In California, John Deere and Kubota are super common, and things like hydraulics, filters, belts, and brakes are the usual stuff that breaks down, so stocking those is smart. OEM parts tend to be more reliable, though some aftermarket brands are fine if you know them. One trick I’ve found helpful is testing things out safely before committing - kind of like I tried a https://magyarkaszinooldalak.com/kaszino-bonuszok/befizetes-nelkuli/30-euro once, which gives you €30 to play with at an online casino without risking your own money; it’s great for getting a feel for the system, and I treat figuring out suppliers and stock the same way - start small, see what works, then expand. Also, talking directly to farmers about what they replace most often is gold - nothing beats real-world insight.

if i were launching a tractor spare-parts business, i’d start with a narrow niche like hydraulics or filters so i don’t spread myself too thin. i’d carefully choose suppliers to have either OEM or reliable aftermarket parts because building trust with my customers would be my top priority. i’d also research which tractors and machines are popular in my area and stock parts for those models. at the beginning, i wouldn’t expect fast profits - i’d focus more on reputation and reliability so that customers keep coming back

 

[Torvy]

Save yourself thousands and move the idea out of California. If it were me, I'd run out of a central state with reasonable taxes and regs. Cuts shipping time and costs to your customers.

Focus on consumables first. Filters, belts, hoses, etc.

I'd also take a contrarian position and focus on brands other than JD or Kubota. Those brands have oversaturated dealer networks and their customers are willing to pay a premium, so they are less likely to buy from someone other than their dealer.

For me, I buy from my dealer, in part, to ensure he remains in business. A few bucks in part savings isn't worth the hassle of having to source a new dealership.