DEALER WARNING!

If you think buying a used tractor is going to be any less risky from a dealer, read this.
My recent purchase was my fourth tractor in about 8 years and the first from a dealer. Its an ‘85 ,Ford 545A 4x4 loader tractor, which I paid $7,500. for. I thought I was gaining on the learning curve but in hindsight, I was lucky, too. All my previous purchases were field ready tractors. I bought this one hoping it would be the last. It had the features I was looking for, a newly rebuilt motor and front differential and was listed by - a dealer from Tenn., over 1,200 miles away. The ad stated the machine was in “A-1” shape. I’d seen this dealers name on the YT site before and when I talked to him, I felt confident he was an honest, reputable person. The price was several thousand less than I’d seen so I urged him to disclose any issues there were so that I wouldn’t be surprised when I arrived. “No, Steve, this tractor is in A-1 shape”. Well, he had jumper cables on the battery when I arrived. There was no hood on it and the one they tried on it was from a different model and didn’t fit. They did give me a new hood and exhaust, as well as a new seat. Once I saw it and the loader work, I loaded it up and headed home. Once here, I realized the gauges weren’t working. Soon after, I found the loader control wouldn’t raise the bucket - and one hose connection was leaking. I took it to my tractor mechanic who told me there was no wiring harness, it had the wrong key switch and wouldn’t operate the glow plug (explaining the charger on the battery). He’s figured it needed $2,500 in parts and that it had probably caught fire. I emailed, sent a letter and called. I talked with Mr. K.C. Arnett Jr. and he said he’d call me back. I’m still waiting... I know I paid a low price for that tractor, but it was nothing like it was advertised as, and by the time I spend the money fixing it, I could have bought one locally and saved a lot of time and aggravation. So, the least I can do is warn others about this dealer and hope he loses some unearned business. He’s certainly not losing any sleep over our transaction.

this guy may have lied about the condition of the tractor but you shoulder a lot of the blame for not checking the tractor out.

did you even stop to wonder why it was several thousand $$ cheaper than others you found??

I my case I bought a two piece Ferguson/Ford tractor jack that I was specifically told was complete. When I recieved it, the front part was missing. I tried to contact him several times and he never replied. The man is not to be trusted.

You should also write this up in the Buyer Seller Feedback Forum

It is a bummer, to go on a trip, only to find something was misrepresented. But, since you saw the tractor was not in good condition, why didn't you just cut you losses and refuse it? Or, perhaps negotiated the price down, as an allowance to fix the problems. ?

I've been taken to the cleaners both close to home and far, far away. In my experience with dealers (both implement and car) it has never been that great. A person ends up paying a premium because the dealer claims the tractor/vehicle has "been through the shop and checks out to be A-1." This seldom is the case, they just give a quick power wash and tire shine, make sure the safety equipment works (brakes, ABS, air bag, etc.) and stick it on the lot.

I've had much better luck buying from private individuals.

At least this way you will KNOW what you have when you are done.

Keep yer stick on the ice.

Keith & Shawn