I got my tractor (Bx23s with backhoe) last year from a craigslist add. Fellow bought it in 2024 then passed away. The seller had posted it in the wrong category and i offered his full price. It had 93 hours on it. I had to drive to Napa to see it and had a hauler bring it down to me for $600. after he accepted my offer others jumped in offering him more but I had given him a deposit on faith. I had our local Kubota mechanic come to check it all out and do a service He said it was the most new used tractor he had seen and congratulated me on saving $10,000.
Barn trophy?
- Thread starter HappyTopster
- Start date
When wanting to buy whether, and at a distance or not, first communication probably an email. Ask questions specific to the pictures posted. See how the answers come back and how soon. Many folks can't follow up by answering all the questions, just usually one, so more emails required.
I ask how long they've owned the machine. Why is it being sold. If it sounds odd, I ask them what it is they don't like about it. When all the talking has been done ask when would be a good time to come and see it. When a time is settled I make sure I let them know I will call (and way before this I have his phone number and had phone conversations after a couple initial texts) him when I leave my place to let him know I serious and on my way. I also clearly let him know I expect he better be there when I get there. NO one else walking around looking at it. I have first refusal, or I'm not coming! Only then will I drive the distance "hoping" to buy a tractor!!
I bought my L4240 in Jackson, Tennessee sight unseen and had it transported to me by an independent trucker. Absolutely no problems. We had several phone conversations and many pictures sent. I asked for pictures that would show anything that an analytical women might ask about when it's being driven off the truck. I want to see it before hand. He sent everything I asked.
Bought a three year old Polaris Ranger in Byhallia, Ms. Same procedure. Bought sight unseen. Had independent trucker deliver it also. No problems. That was 8/2012, I still have it.
Oh, I live 50 miles south of Kansas City!
Take your time. Don't get emotional when looking for something, use logic, and you'll be fine.
I ask how long they've owned the machine. Why is it being sold. If it sounds odd, I ask them what it is they don't like about it. When all the talking has been done ask when would be a good time to come and see it. When a time is settled I make sure I let them know I will call (and way before this I have his phone number and had phone conversations after a couple initial texts) him when I leave my place to let him know I serious and on my way. I also clearly let him know I expect he better be there when I get there. NO one else walking around looking at it. I have first refusal, or I'm not coming! Only then will I drive the distance "hoping" to buy a tractor!!
I bought my L4240 in Jackson, Tennessee sight unseen and had it transported to me by an independent trucker. Absolutely no problems. We had several phone conversations and many pictures sent. I asked for pictures that would show anything that an analytical women might ask about when it's being driven off the truck. I want to see it before hand. He sent everything I asked.
Bought a three year old Polaris Ranger in Byhallia, Ms. Same procedure. Bought sight unseen. Had independent trucker deliver it also. No problems. That was 8/2012, I still have it.
Oh, I live 50 miles south of Kansas City!
Take your time. Don't get emotional when looking for something, use logic, and you'll be fine.
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Biggest scams I see with equipment is a very obvious low price. Like a very new cabbed Grand L with several attachments for $15k. Or the listing pictures do not match the local environment. I’m in the southeast, so if the listing has pictures of snow, mountains or desert etc it’s obviously not local.
Depending what platform you’re looking at (Facebook, Craigslist, tractor house, even a dealership) I’ve found it best to get a phone number if they don’t have one listed and get them on the phone.
A quick 2-5 minute or less conversation should be able to know who you would be dealing with, condition of the tractor and how it was used. Saves a lot of time instead of emailing or messaging back and forth for days.
Don’t be afraid to make a road trip either, after you’re confident in the information you’ve gathered. If you have a truck and trailer already it would make it easier. I got burnt years ago buying local(paying too much) and after that I’ve always shopped around even several states away.
Personally I would want to look at(drive and test functions) what I’m buying first rather than buying over the phone then arranging shipping to me, but that’s an option others have pointed out.
Depending what platform you’re looking at (Facebook, Craigslist, tractor house, even a dealership) I’ve found it best to get a phone number if they don’t have one listed and get them on the phone.
A quick 2-5 minute or less conversation should be able to know who you would be dealing with, condition of the tractor and how it was used. Saves a lot of time instead of emailing or messaging back and forth for days.
Don’t be afraid to make a road trip either, after you’re confident in the information you’ve gathered. If you have a truck and trailer already it would make it easier. I got burnt years ago buying local(paying too much) and after that I’ve always shopped around even several states away.
Personally I would want to look at(drive and test functions) what I’m buying first rather than buying over the phone then arranging shipping to me, but that’s an option others have pointed out.
PortTackFarm
Active member
Equipment
L3560 LE (ROP's) w/ LA805 FEL, LP RCF 2072, BB2572 and WoodMaxx WM-8H
While my tractor isn't for sale, I'm one of those guys with a 2021 L3560LE with still less than 50 hours on it. I've also got the 3rd function kit which I haven't even installed because I don't have a grapple yet. I bought the tractor for property maintenance of my 44 acres. There are certain tasks I needed it for and really didn't want to deal with the hassle of renting when needed as many of the jobs only took an hour or two to complete. So, it sits indoors in my shop at the farm and short of a cleanup or detail job looks like it came off the showroom floor. It will start getting more use and I'll get to the the magic 50 hrs this summer. I purchased with 84 month 0% interest plan and it's worked well. For the fun of it I just built my tractor on the Kubota sight with all my implements and accessories and I came in at $8000K more than I paid for mine, so if I wanted to sell it today, I think I could get purchase price plus a bit more. I just like the peace of mind knowing its there ready to use at a moments notice. It will still be there 20 years from now, likely the one and only tractor I ever own.
That's a nice tractor right there feller. Time to get out there and do some tractorin' in her.
Yup. If it were mine I'd just go drive it. In circles if need be. I like my tractor.....That's a nice tractor right there feller. Time to get out there and do some tractorin' in her.
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Got mine in our off season. Had nothing to do for weeks. Finally I'm like screw this I'm gonna atleast go check the mail or something. LOL