Old Iron or Gold?

Yesterday, I heard an advertisement on a local radio swap, buy and sell program that a lady had an 8N tractor and some equipment for sale. Her asking price was $3500. The ad caught my attention because it was located close to my home. So, I gave her a call and asked her some questions about the tractor. She said that it belonged to her late husband and she was selling every thing she had and moving. She didn’t know much about the tractor except it was an 8N.

Not that I have $3500 burning a hole in my pocket, but out of curiosity I went by to look at the 8N. The lady lived in a really nice (large) house with acreage and several nice metal outbuildings and a nice wrought iron fence at the road with an automatic electronic gate. She had a Jaguar automobile sitting in the driveway and a big swimming pool in the back yard. I thought to myself, what in the world am I doing here?

I called before I got there and informed the lady that I was coming to look at the 8N. When I arrived I rang the doorbell and she came to the door. She was probably in her late 60’s and walked with a walking cane. We walked out to the back of the property and when I saw the tractor, I thought to myself, how am I going to handle this.

The 8N was probably an early 50’s model. It had the side mount distributor and the generator on the left side but it didn’t have a proofmeter/tackometer. It was badly rusted and the tires were dry-rotted and flat. She said it had not run in several years but should start right up with a new battery. The steering had a lot of play and the black steering wheel material was nearly disintegrated. The equipment consisted of an old rusty 5 ft rotary mower, an old 8-disk bush and bog harrow and a small homemade utility trailer.

I didn’t have the heart to tell her she was asking a precious metals (gold) price for an old piece of iron so I just told her I would think about it. Sorry for the long post. Rick H. Ga.

Mike

Your mileage may vary

Try to explain to her that $3500 might not be bad for a machine that was running, and in excellent condition, but as it sits $750-1000 might be more reasonable (if there's nothing obviously broken). Make a list of needs and expenses. It'll take more than a battery. Tires $5-600. She may be more receptive when presented with a list of expenses needed to bring it back to life.

If you can git it fer that, even if it is "broken" and non-repairable, you can always part it out. Crankshafts alone sell for in the neighborhood of $4-500. You'll be able to recoup your "loss."

I had to first "sell" my comptroller on the idea.

Well, guys, the "hot dog" girl has "silver hair", as opposed to GRE(a)y. No rings. Told her she was cute, and, here is the evidence that I ET, somewhere's else!!!!!

I had to spend more $$$$$$ to cover the "real reason" that DELL sent me to her!!!!!

I had to first "sell" my comptroller on the idea.

Well, guys, the "hot dog" girl has "silver hair", as opposed to GRE(a)y. No rings. Told her she was cute, and, here is the evidence that I ET, somewhere's else!!!!!

I had to spend more $$$$$$ to cover the "real reason" that DELL sent me to her!!!!!