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awaller

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Just wondering if maybe I'm too old fashioned, but has anyone ever paid for an used tractor before looking and hearing how it runs. It seems that when I suggested that I come look at a tractor before putting money down on it first that the seller was offended. I know when I put a tractor up for sale I want the person buying it to feel no pressure to buy, and be able to walk away saying that I gave them a great deal and was easy to deal with. Therefore I ask for no money ahead and ask them to make in essence a handshake deal in which if they like what they see that they will have the money with to purchase it at that time. My parents raised me to be this way, and I can't think of any instances where I felt like I had been taken. I could be wrong but I've always felt that face to face money transactions were the best way of doing business. It also allowed the person to feel that they still had a option to say no to the whole deal. Well thats my two cents worth.
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I tend to think like you, and always want to hear something run before I buy it. Or, if selling something to make sure the buyer sees and accepts that the condition is as I've described it... But, that may be going the way of the rocking chair on the front porch. Others certainly don't act the way you describe. Earlier this fall I saw a Landlord 101 for sale in a front yard, as I was on my way home from work, and I stopped to look at it. The guy wasn't home, but his wife was, but couldn't answer any of my questions. So, I left my phone number and asked to have him call me. He called that night, we chatted at length, and I set up a time to see it when he was going to be there so I could hear it run, etc. This guy was selling it for his father-in-law, who bought it from the original owner in 1970, it came with all the manuals, factory headlights, and a few nice touches. When I got there the tractor was gone -- someone else had seen in, stopped and bought it before I could get there. When I pressed the guy a bit, his answer was -- he got here before you, he had cash, and paid the asking price, so you're out of luck. The price was good (assuming the engine was) since it was the 2nd owner of the tractor (and it came with snowblower, solid mower deck and tire chains for $350... Needless to say I was upset... Had it been me, I would have told the guy that someone else was on their way over to see it, but that I'd take his phone number and call him if the deal didn't go through.... Next time, you can be sure I'll act a bit differently -- even it means leaving a deposit on it before I can hear it run....
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I'll take a calculated risk when buying something, but if I'm selling it I'm real careful to make sure the buyer knows and is happy with what he/she's getting. The last thing I want is to sell something and have that person unhappy with it. I'm not sure everyone feels this way. John(RI)
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I've had that same thing happen to me on more than one occasion Kent. It's a pretty crappy thing to do to someone IMHO. The fella could have at least called you back and told you that he sold it to somebody else. I'm in the process of trying to sell a '55 Ford right now, and a few guys have came to look at it and set up times and dates with me beforehand. They've also left me their number with the request to "please give me a call back and let me know if it's sold in the meantime". No problem. I wouldn't let somebody make a wasted trip if I could help it.
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It's interesting to see what people think their stuff is worth. I've seen at least six JD318's (which although it's green, I believe to be a good tractor), sell around here at auctions for $3000 or less. I saw one w/a front loader and a 3pt Woods mower go for $4000. (I bought my 3416H w/tiller and 48" deck at the same auction for $250).
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Awaller, I'm glad you posted the rest of the story. You made the right decision to walk away from that deal. The Internet is the greatest thing for long distance transactions. If a seller uses PayPal they are computer literate enough to send pictures, and since email is free and quick there is no excuse not to give full detailed descriptions. A seller who is reluctant if give information or evasive with answers is like waving a red flag. Anymore, I hate to do business unless the other person has Internet access, and so far I've never been stung. Most buyers and sellers are HONEST. For lack of a gentler or harsher word, some people are just plain STUPID. Last year a tractor was advertized on eBay at a very attractive price; no picture; minimal description. After several emails, I learned it was a Ertl toy (at a ridiculously high price). When I asked how it RAN the seller told me it had an "original engine in beautiful condition." When I asked if it had any oils LEAKS, the seller told me "not a drop." The seller volunteered that the tires were like new and the paint was flawless except for one small chip. When I suspected it was a toy and asked, the seller said "absolutely not, it has never been played with." Was that seller playing with buyers, trying to pull a scam, or just plain stupid? I don't know. Someone won the bid, but the next month it was re-listed, the SAME WAY. It goes on all the time. Below is only one example. This person really went all out trying to attract buyers.[A href='http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=554405901']http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=554405901[/a]
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Brent, How do you account for that? It can't be the color. There are ORANGE Scott's tractors (which I think are mediocre) all around my neighborhood. The owners proudly tell me, "They're made by John Deere."
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I totally agree with you guys and its a shame that more people don't feel the same way as we do. But the way that I look at it I would rather not have bought it from someone like that because chances are in my opinion more then not something was wrong with it and they just wanted to dump it on someone that chances are didn't ask to many questions. I am really funny about stuff like this and if it means me spending lets just say a $100 more somewhere else then so be it at least I don't walk away feeling like I have been shafted I feel it has alot to do with being treated with respect along with being comfortable with the deal and I have lost out on somestuff both ways because of my additude but at least it was my choice. Why should someone have to leave a deposit just to hear something run? Like you said a hand shake should hold the spending deal. I just am not one to sell something without letting the cat out of the bag so to speak and tell everything that I honestly know is wrong with what I am selling. I surely don't believe in ripping someone off and I expect the same in reverse but its just not the way this life is anymore. Take care, >>->happyjack<-<<
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I have been in both sisutations. We visit my wifes grandparents monthly to take them grocery shopping (70 miles one way) and when I was looking for a B-10 I stopped at a Simplicity dealer to see if he knew of any. He took me down into the back of the shop and there set a B-10 in like new condition! It wasnt really for sale but if I gave him $1,000 I could have it. My wife and I talked (I did most of the talking) and finally decided to buy! I called the shop and told them we would be up on Saturday, I called on Thursday to comfirm and they told me they were slow that week and they would get it out and charge the battery and change the oil and service it. I told them I wasn't giving them any extra $$ and I would take it as is. They said all equipment leaves their shop in a running condition and it was part of the sale. On Saturday we stopped and the owner/manager told me he sold the tractor on Friday when some other customer was the B-10 being serviced in the shop and gave them $1,000 for it!!! After much cussing and swearing I was escorted out of the shop and told never to return!!! I still giver them the finger every month when we drive past!!!! I have also been the screwer! I had a Simplicity tractor advertised as PARTS and several people called and got directions and said they would be right over. Someone pulled in the driveway and looked it over and gave me $25.00 we were loading it up when someone else pulled in the driveway and started mouthing off. It turns out he really was the first guy who called but I had already accepted the sceond guys $$ I felt terrible!!! But since I didn't get anyone name I just figured the first guy who showed upo was the first guy who called..... Moral...??? Dont assume...... Get names!!!
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Just to present the opposing view, I have been the seller who has held onto an item because someone set up an appointment (and confirmed it by phone). In the process I turned down a cash paying customer who offered my asking price, yet the person who made the appointment never showed up. By this time, the guy willing to pay cash wasn't interested (or was upset?). In any event, I ended up not getting as much for the item when it finally sold. However, I have to admit that I still look for the best in people, and would likely hold an item again just for that reason. Pat
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Guess I should add more of my story of frustration to make my point more clear. I e-mailed the seller of the tractor numerous times trying to get them to paint a more clear picture of the tractor, such as if there was a mower deck, any attachments, was there any mechanical problems, and of course when the last time they used it. Instead of telling me all of this they wanted me to paypal or send a cashiers check and drive a considerable distance and then just assume the tractor. I'm pretty glad I walked away from the deal because I'm still not sure what was offered with the tractor and what the actual condition the tractor is in. All I can say is that I have good luck 99% of the time when I correspond with a seller and will just have to write this off as a learning experience.
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After weeks of searching I had finally found that one item that was just right. I told the guy I was going to the bank and I would be right back. When I returned twenty minutes later, someone else walked right past me with it in hand. Jeepers creepers I was ticked. I'll never do business there again. After calming down, I also decided that if it was really worth it I should have put a few bucks down so he'd 'hold' it for me. Maybe I was just mad at myself. No, I take that back, I was mad at him. On the other side, some people don't understand that I really will call them if the first person in line backs out. They act like "someone else is looking at it" means "you better hurry up and give me your money". NOT TRUE! BUT....I have been sorry when I buy to fast. It seems if I really need it, it will be there when I get a chance to really look the item over.
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When strangers do business there's always the potential for misunderstandings. As a buyer, most of the time I purchase equipment without seeing it or hearing it run. I know what the thing looked like when new. All I need is an accurate description of present condition from the seller. But, there's the rub. Some people "claim" not to know the difference between rust and rot; engine smoke and knocking; scratches and dents; dents and accident damage; worn and bald tires; hydraulic seepage and serious leaks. They "forget" to mention cracked and repaired frames; jumping out of gear; excessively loose steering. Even worse is the person who tells you they have a twin 20hp horizontal Kohler, and have it turn out to be a single vertical 5hp B&S. If you don't know the seller, ask questions, listen to the answers, get a feel for the person, and don't be afraid to pass on a "good" deal if everything doesn't sound right. On the other hand, I've lost really good deals because I didn't have enough cash on me at the time or couldn't take it right then. As a seller, I've had people look, listen and throughly inspect equipment, give me a deposit, shake hands on the deal, and say they will be back. Days later, after I have turned other buyers away, the first person will return and try to make a lesser offer, want to trade something, ask for expensive repairs, expect a guarantee, want to take the equipment and make time payments, or will have simply changed their mind. Every once in a while I'll "reverse" auction equipment. I'll set an initial price 50% higher than what I really want. Every day I'll reduce the price 5%. If someone makes me an offer, I'll tell them the day their offer will be accepted. That gives them plenty of time to check the equipment out, shop around, and think about it. I won't accept any deposits, and of course someone else may buy it in the meantime. That really "qualifies" the players.
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Having grown up on a JD110 and having once owned a JD317 (which was basically a good tractor with a bad engine - KT17 series I), I cannot say much bad about the older JD garden tractors as they were both pretty rugged machines. I do not consider them better than comperable Sim/AC machines though. I think the high prices are due to the slogan "Nothing Runs etc...." which is famous. Simplicity wasn't lucky or smart enough to come up with a catchy phrase like that. The JD lawn and garden tractors certainly aren't better. What's worse are the attachments. I had a more difficult time with the JD's finding attachments that would fit, and found none that were reasonbly priced.....
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