Bx2380

[fransser]

Hi,
I have a small acreage (approx 4 acres) with some mixed terrain and going to purchase a small tractor to maintain/landscape/mow. I have found a 2017 BX 2380 with 116 hours on it. Included is tractor/box blade/FEL/MMM. Seller wants $13000.

All I have seen are pictures, but I can't see any hydraulic leaks, etc.
Paint is still shiny and the tractor appears to have been kept in a garage.
According to the sellers, they are moving and no longer need the tractor.

Is this a good deal?
Should I be looking for something specific that would indicate abuse, etc?

I live approximately 5 hours from seller, so making a quick trip to investigate the tractor is unrealistic. I'll make the trip if I decide to purchase.

thanks for any advice/input.

 

[dalola]

As a reference, I paid $13600 for my '17 2380 w/FEL only, brand new.

Sounds like a good deal to me. I would go with intent to purchase, and only back out if something wasn't right.

Good luck!

 

[PaulL]

A BX with 100 odd hours is basically still brand new, it's pretty hard to break a BX within 100 hours. Check the 50 hour service was done properly, but otherwise, your main question is how many $$ you save v's brand new, and whether there's anything obviously wrong with it. Presumably it has residual of factory warranty.

One thing to think about is that with new you'd get finance. So you may find that you could actually afford a new one. Of course, that's also what depresses the price of a used one a bit, so the used one may be a bargain.

 

[Jefferson]

Sounds like it could be well worth the trip. They are a very nice tractor as well.

 

[D2Cat]

When thinking about buying a machine a fair distance away, it's always best to have a phone conversation or two before loading up!

I would ask a lot of question on the phone. If anything seemed out of place I would pass no matter how much I wanted the item. We easily get emotionally attached to things before we own them and all logic goes out the window. At that point we make bad choices.

For the phone conversation, I would have some notes written down with any question I could think of, beginning with what dealer did you purchase it from, why you selling it (even if you already know the answer), how big is your yard where you are now, what kind of tires do you have on it, does it start good in the winter, do they work good for your yard, you moving to a smaller place, has that dealer done any service to the tractor since you got it, what do you like about that model......?

Any question will generate a conversation. Through that conversation you can determine that person's character. Are they honest

Discuss his selling price. I ask, "If I come down that far, what is the best price you will sell it for?" Most will make an adjustment, knowing you're very serious or you're not driving that far pulling a trailer. If they are offended by that question I learn a bit more about them, and may be the tipping point of just moving on.

If we agree on a selling price, I always state the number and say we have an agreement, based upon everything is as we discussed. I'll call you when I have my trailer hooked up and leaving my place. When I get there I don't want anyone else walking around looking at the tractor, waiting for me to say yes or no. I have first refusal, or I'm not coming down! I don't need practice pulling a trailer.

He agrees, or I don't go.

All this eliminates a cat and mouse game when you get there, and all the "tire kicking" has been done. AND you BOTH know it.

The psychology of the marketing plan!! It works well. Make it fun, and good luck.

 

[fransser]

When thinking about buying a machine a fair distance away, it's always best to have a phone conversation or two before loading up!

Any question will generate a conversation. Through that conversation you can determine that person's character.
....
The psychology of the marketing plan!! It works well. Make it fun, and good luck.

Thanks for the advice D2CAt! I have pretty much done all you've suggested except that it has all been via Facebook. It seems the more reputable people have abandoned craigslist and are using FB marketplace for selling personal property. The sellers have been very responsive and even made videos of the machine, illustrating the hydraulics, pto, etc. It's good the hear from others though, so to bring up other perspectives you might not have thought of previously. I appreciate your response. Thank you!

 

[D2Cat]

I've recently used FB for selling some items. I still get their phone number and have a verbal conversation. I can size up someone pretty quick by speaking to them.

Oh, I did see the FB picture of some of the prospective buyers of a 7K machine I had listed. Based on that one picture I wouldn't give them the time of day!!

 

[Orangeglow]

I agree with all the good points made by D2Cat. The only other thing I would want confirmation and proof on is that it is totally paid for, or, know about what would be involved in transferring the existing loan, and costs for that, IF there are any. Also confirm the form of payment required, some folks only want cash, others want to take bank notes or drafts to their bank to ensure all is good, so that must be done during their open hours before releasing the tractor and attachments to a total stranger.

 

[D2Cat]

If you deal only in cash you can get one of those pens like the bank uses to identify false bills a Wal-Mart for a couple of dollars.

I sold a tractor of 6K and the guy come about 75 miles. After it was loaded and tied down on his trailer I asked it it was OK to take some last pictures of it departing. I also asked him how he was going to get it home, so I'd have an idea of his route. I was actually taking pictures of his license plate, truck, so I could send the Highway Patrol after him if the money was phony.