New member intro from Chesapeake, VA

[YardPatriots]

Hey everyone, I’m Rob in Chesapeake, VA. I’m a recently retired Marine, a father, and someone who has spent a lot of time around equipment, land work, and practical projects. I grew up on a small farm in Maryland and now run Yard Patriots, focused on American-made equipment and attachments. I joined because I enjoy learning from people who actually put tractors and implements to work, and I’m especially interested in the real-world side of setup, maintenance, and what ends up being worth owning long term. Glad to be here and looking forward to learning from the group.

 

[Bmyers]

Welcome to the forum.

 

[Bee-Positive]

Welcome Rob. You should probably upgrade to Vendor Membership so others here know.

Nice website for Yard Patriots. Maybe think about a small discount for OTT members?
I know margins are slim these days but it doesn't hurt to ask.

 

[McMXi]

Yard Patriots, focused on American-made equipment and attachments.

Nice!

 

[Caden]

Welcome!

You're in my neck of the woods, was looking for your company but the address is a post office?

Is it online only?

 

[Lil Foot]

Welcome aboard!

 

[Bee-Positive]

I am wondering -
P.O. Box only, no brick and mortar. The address on the website is actually the local US Post Office. Owners residential address from D&B Business Directory looks undeveloped on Google Earth.

Searched BEFCO, Prime Attachments, and Power Dog websites for Dealers and Yard Patriot does not come up for any of them. Ignite Attachments does not list Yard Patriot as a reseller.

I'd like to believe this is a real business - Rob please prove me wrong.

 

[Caden]

I am wondering -
P.O. Box only, no brick and mortar. The address on the website is actually the local US Post Office. Owners residential address from D&B Business Directory looks undeveloped on Google Earth.

Searched BEFCO, Prime Attachments, and Power Dog websites for Dealers and Yard Patriot does not come up for any of them. Ignite Attachments does not list Yard Patriot as a reseller.

I'd like to believe this is a real business - Rob please prove me wrong.

I had the same concern, so I did some research.
I called BEFCO, and spoke to someone on the sales team in Rocky Mount N.C. She confirmed that Yard Patriot was a licensed dealer and that he (Rob, or Sam) bought from them frequently. She said that it was entirely e -commerce. I'm glad this is legit.

Although it seems like you would lose many of the benefits you'd get from a local dealer by buying online.

 

[Bee-Positive]

...this is legit.

Oohrah! Good to hear!
You can never be too careful, trust but verify.

 

[Caden]

trust but verify.

That's my moto as well.

 

[YardPatriots]

Welcome Rob. You should probably upgrade to Vendor Membership so others here know.

Nice website for Yard Patriots. Maybe think about a small discount for OTT members?
I know margins are slim these days but it doesn't hurt to ask.

Thanks BP - I'll check out the Vendor Membership - there's so many programs out there, hard to know what's worth the $.

Discount - good thoughts. I set one up "OTT" - sometimes we can do more, if you want anything specific let me know (rob@yardpatriots.com) and I'll see what we can offer.

 

[YardPatriots]

Welcome!

You're in my neck of the woods, was looking for your company but the address is a post office?

Is it online only?

Yeah, most of our stuff is factory direct. We have a few things on my property but no show room.

 

[YardPatriots]

I am wondering -
P.O. Box only, no brick and mortar. The address on the website is actually the local US Post Office. Owners residential address from D&B Business Directory looks undeveloped on Google Earth.

Searched BEFCO, Prime Attachments, and Power Dog websites for Dealers and Yard Patriot does not come up for any of them. Ignite Attachments does not list Yard Patriot as a reseller.

I'd like to believe this is a real business - Rob please prove me wrong.

Very Real Bee

BEFCO's in NC, they don't sell directly to customers. I work with Rebecca with sales and am told we're they're preferred vendor when there isn't one locally. Side note - they're an AWESOME company. They've been around since the 80s and make awesome equipment.

Prime Attachments - I work with Kody the owner. They make everything to order so there's usually a little lag but their stuff is super solid.

Power Dog - interesting story, they're 100% family owned and make everything in house. For religious reasons (Mennonites?) they don't use most technology directly. Met them at the Equip Expo last year - great products but they can't e-mail so we go through Fax for electronic communications. Their website and related things have to be hired out!

 

[YardPatriots]

I had the same concern, so I did some research.
I called BEFCO, and spoke to someone on the sales team in Rocky Mount N.C. She confirmed that Yard Patriot was a licensed dealer and that he (Rob, or Sam) bought from them frequently. She said that it was entirely e -commerce. I'm glad this is legit.

Although it seems like you would lose many of the benefits you'd get from a local dealer by buying online.

Oh wow - thanks for the Vetting and sending back this way Caden!

No pressure from me for online, it's not for everyone. If I have the choice of getting the same product online or locally, all else being equal (price / warranty ect) I'd be picking local. Using BEFCO as an example, they make great products but don't have a robust local dealer network and don't ship directly, if someone not near a dealer wants one, we want to help them. Honestly, is also helps keep the Brick & Mortar from not gouging the pricing too much.

Promise not a sales pitch but hope that makes sense!

 

[YardPatriots]

Bee / Caden - thanks for that. My old CWO5 was huge on the 'Trust but Verify'. Love seeing it come out here.

 

[bird dogger]

Semper Fi and Thank You! for your service!!

 

[YardPatriots]

Semper Fi and Thank You! for your service!!

Semper Fi!

 

[Caden]

@YardPatriots is there a good story that goes along with your profile picture?

 

[YardPatriots]

@YardPatriots is there a good story that goes along with your profile picture?

No 'Good' stories end like that. Same ol story we've all done - used a machine past its limitations and bad things happened...

This was a buddy, was doing work on a hill to the left of the photo, too fast, too much incline, and no weight in the front was a recipe for the flip. No injuries except pride.

 

[skeets]

First off welcome to the insanity, and never be afraid to ask a question or interject something. And you will find from time to time we will bust one another's balls, so dont take any thing personal. You will find guys in here that have forgotten more than I will ever know, some shade tree advice and some technical like right out of a dealers shop. And remember there is no such thing as a retired or former Marine.