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biggie_rat
USA
1235 Posts |
 Posted - 11/30/2007 : 19:13:39
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Buying tractors over the phone is like a box of chocolates ..... you never know what you'll get.
I had talked on the phone to a fellow about 80-90 miles away about an Allis he had for sale. I asked questions. Paint, seat, deck (rust), etc. Of course, he said the starter would spin, but wouldn't engage the flywheel. Not unusual. Included front blade. We agreed on a price and I talked him into meeting half way. Today was the day, since it is supposed to rain or snow the next two days and then turn colder after that. We met at a convieniant parking lot that we both knew of. It wasn't too bad. So far I have found - newer engine, less than 100 hrs., fair paint, fair seat, haven't tried to start it, bad battery, broken-in-half steering wheel, good deck, dented in from the rear seat pan (aren't they all), good BGB, supposedly good hydro. I'll know more by the end of the weekend. I have a lot of cosmetics to do and see how bad the starter is. I presume it will, run and the fellow was telling the truth about the tractor. They were in no hurry to get away.
Funny how, the owner's opinion of condition is different from the buyer. Of course, by the time I get done with it, it will be in good condition. I was kind of expecting a cherry with a 100 hour engine. It was still pretty decent, though. I guess if it was really as nice as described, he wouldn't have wanted to sell it.
I agreed to pay what we decided on even though I didn't hear it run and it was nice for him to meet me half way.
Also, the blade wasn't a Simplicity/Allis blade. It is a 48" or 50", about 16-18" high and I don't know what it came off of originally, but he had it set up for the tractor.
B.R. |
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B112
USA
5230 Posts |
Posted - 11/30/2007 : 20:15:06
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| I've met some really good folks in trading these tractors, then again I've run across a few like your describing too! |
Michael |
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skunkhome
USA
12827 Posts |
Posted - 11/30/2007 : 20:40:43
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Ron, to quote you, "Funny how, the owner's opinion of condition is different from the buyer."
At one time in my life I sold cars and you are right. It always was the case that the customer always went on about how bad the new cars were and how great their trade was. Can't tell you how many times I heard, "I never had to put a wrench on that car". It was often quite evident that neither they nor anyone else ever put a wrench on the car. More than once I asked, "why do you want to get rid of such a nice car?" Then all of a sudden they would start rattling off a list of complaints about their car to justify their need to purchase something new. People are really funny. I had one guy that was beating me up so badly over a new Ford truck that I finally brought him his keys and very politely announced to him that I wasn't going to sell him the truck. I told him that he was so dissatisfied with the truck that I knew he could never be happy with the purchase. I truly expected to see him gather up his keys and leave but he ended up "begging" me to let him have the truck. He turned out to be one of my best customers, referring several people to come see me. Sold many a Ford truck but never liked them. |
  Phil
"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither safety nor liberty."
Benjamin Franklin |
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biggie_rat
USA
1235 Posts |
Posted - 12/01/2007 : 19:22:35
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The tractor wasn't that much less than the seller described. I was just pointing out how a seller sees it as "not too bad" and the buyer, or at least me sees it as "look at all the stuff I have to fix or replace, to get it back to normal". And some of the repairs ........... everybody is a mechanic or electrician ...... and "Dora Jeans ex brother-in-law Billy Bob used to work on his mower, so he told me what I ought to do". Thus, resulting in extra work or replacement, for me. In this case, so far all the tires hold air. In some cases, the tires were just filled with air before I got there and are flat by the time I get home. Oh, they forgot to tell me that, but ...... I didn't ask either.
Just a post for Buying/Pricing Guidelines
B.R.
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skunkhome
USA
12827 Posts |
Posted - 12/02/2007 : 03:10:39
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| Ron, I can see people who are truthful but don't have a clue what "good" condition is. Those are the same people who voted Duck Tape the "2005 Tool of the Year" and consider it a perfect replacement for a screw. The one that killed me is a guy thinking I was blind as well as stupid and tells me that the ignition burned out just before I arrived and produced the burned up ignition switch as proof. He just happened to have another switch to put in and managed to install without removing the either battery or the dash.(terminal corrosion was undisturbed and the dash screws had not had a screwdriver on them in years). I wondered why he didn't just change the coil since he could magically do so without removing the cowling of the motor. Made me want to scream "Lier, lier pants on fire" |
Phil
"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither safety nor liberty."
Benjamin Franklin |
Edited by - skunkhome on 12/02/2007 03:18:28 |
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As Forrest Gump migh have said ........
