I recently, with the help of the forums on Tractorbynet, bought a used John Deere. But during my search, I ran across at least 2 deals and likely 3 or 4 that were probably scams.
To start with the deals were "too good to be true." A 2000 New Holland TC29 with loader with low hours for $8000? A John Deere also almost brand new for the same?
In the first case I did establish contact by email, but once I insisted on a serial number, I never heard back. Also, although the ad listing was in Nebraska on one listing on one service, it was in Colorado on another. By email it was said to now be in California. "Yes" it had hydro, but in an email message it was manual transmission.
In the other case the phone number was fax line and there was no phone listing in the town in Washington by the name of the business listed. I did send a fax asking to contact me if this was a legitimate offer, but got no reply. Since I happened to be in the area over the holidays, I actually went to this small town to investigate. It's a very small town, and if there had been such a tractor for sale, it would have been well know. No trace.
So, what's the worst that can happen? You end up with a stolen tractor at a good price, and it's unfortunate, but what can you do? WRONG
Dealers have told me stories of people who brought their tractors in for service and had them confiscated after they were found to be stolen property.
But the nightmare scenario is that likely the tractor does not exist at all. You send a deposit check and either never hear back, or the check is "washed" and cashed for the full amount of the tractor or more. No money, No tractor.
What to do?
1. Insist on a serial number and check it with the major dealers. Most of the big names can tell you when and where the tractor was sold, and sometimes if it has been reported stolen.
2. Ask for a name and address and check it against local information.
3. Send only a small deposit that you won't mind losing and only send a money order or cashiers check. NOT A CHECK FROM YOUR PERSONAL ACCOUNT.
I'm sure there are more tips that others will have.
To start with the deals were "too good to be true." A 2000 New Holland TC29 with loader with low hours for $8000? A John Deere also almost brand new for the same?
In the first case I did establish contact by email, but once I insisted on a serial number, I never heard back. Also, although the ad listing was in Nebraska on one listing on one service, it was in Colorado on another. By email it was said to now be in California. "Yes" it had hydro, but in an email message it was manual transmission.
In the other case the phone number was fax line and there was no phone listing in the town in Washington by the name of the business listed. I did send a fax asking to contact me if this was a legitimate offer, but got no reply. Since I happened to be in the area over the holidays, I actually went to this small town to investigate. It's a very small town, and if there had been such a tractor for sale, it would have been well know. No trace.
So, what's the worst that can happen? You end up with a stolen tractor at a good price, and it's unfortunate, but what can you do? WRONG
Dealers have told me stories of people who brought their tractors in for service and had them confiscated after they were found to be stolen property.
But the nightmare scenario is that likely the tractor does not exist at all. You send a deposit check and either never hear back, or the check is "washed" and cashed for the full amount of the tractor or more. No money, No tractor.
What to do?
1. Insist on a serial number and check it with the major dealers. Most of the big names can tell you when and where the tractor was sold, and sometimes if it has been reported stolen.
2. Ask for a name and address and check it against local information.
3. Send only a small deposit that you won't mind losing and only send a money order or cashiers check. NOT A CHECK FROM YOUR PERSONAL ACCOUNT.
I'm sure there are more tips that others will have.
