- Thread starter cb
- Start date
If it sounds to good to be true it probably is.
That said, sure there are legit sellers out there.
Keep in mind that the seller might be an honest kid that inherited
his late grandfather's tractor and knows absolutely nothing about it.
He's not dishonest, he just doesn't know.
Best to see them in person when possible.
I did buy a tractor on eBay sight unseen. Actually two.
They were not expensive tractors though and I wasn't disappointed.
That said, sure there are legit sellers out there.
Keep in mind that the seller might be an honest kid that inherited
his late grandfather's tractor and knows absolutely nothing about it.
He's not dishonest, he just doesn't know.
Best to see them in person when possible.
I did buy a tractor on eBay sight unseen. Actually two.
They were not expensive tractors though and I wasn't disappointed.
Nebraska Cowman
Well-known Member
I would bid after talking to the owner by phone. But I would not pay top dollar without seeing it in person or someone I trusted looking at it. I bought my 806 from an online auction (not ebay) Talked to the owner by phone and was happy with my purchase.
tractorguy2
Well-known Member
I wouldn't buy a tractor unless the seller will let you see the tractor first. if it's too far to drive then I would pass.
I knew a guy that had a ton of $$. he would watch auction listings for old 1940's tractors. And then bid on them over the phone sight unseen. I think he bought about ten. he bought a farmall model M and A. both were a pile of junk with paint ------ on them. The Case Dc had the blocked all welded up. Case Sc smoked so bad you couldn't see to drive it. The only good tractor I can remember him buying that way was the John Deere M. It had a really nice paint job, good tires and a good strong engine.
I knew a guy that had a ton of $$. he would watch auction listings for old 1940's tractors. And then bid on them over the phone sight unseen. I think he bought about ten. he bought a farmall model M and A. both were a pile of junk with paint ------ on them. The Case Dc had the blocked all welded up. Case Sc smoked so bad you couldn't see to drive it. The only good tractor I can remember him buying that way was the John Deere M. It had a really nice paint job, good tires and a good strong engine.
Buying on ebay is safe if you watch what you are doing and close enough that you can pick it up yourself. First call the seller, bid what you want to pay, then tell seller you will pay him when you pick it up. When you go to pick it up inspect it and if you are satisfied pay him. If not tell ebay it wasnt what was described and keep your money in your pocket and go home. ebay wont hold it against you.
Dave H (MI)
Well-known Member
I'm sorry, but that is a bit of a foolish question. Of course there are thousands of honest, reliable sellers on ebay. What would possibly make you think otherwise? Is it a good idea to buy a tractor without a hands on inspection? Absolutely not. You need to drive it, listen to it...inspect it. I have bought tractors on ebay. Pretty much always something wrong with them that was not disclosed. I even bought my Super AV from the big salvage yard near St Louis. They have a good reputation...but did not disclose that it had an odd carb on it and that it was hard to start. Rear end was full of water, froze solid the first winter and would not move until April. Bad grind in the rear end. Some of that I would have caught if I had gone to look at it. Tractors and cars...go look.
BushogPapa
Well-known Member
IF you cannot go see it AND have a trailer with you to bring it home WITH you, don't even think about it..
BTDT..
Ron.
Ultradog MN
Well-known Member
- Location
- Twin Cities
Not a tractor but I was high bidder on a $4000 Airstream on Ebay once. About 12 years ago.
I read the description, viewed the photos, talked to the seller on the phone twice.
Drove the 4 hours to pick it up, cash in hand.
Got there and was so discusted by it that I turned around and went home.
The repairs he had done were shoddy. The thing stank. There were boards under the tires on one side to level it up due to a broken spring.
The thing was a wreck. And the seller, who was actually a nice guy, couldn't understand why I didn't like it.
I found another Airstream about 2 months later that was three times as nice for less money.
Local.
I haven't bought another big ticket item on Ebay since.
I read the description, viewed the photos, talked to the seller on the phone twice.
Drove the 4 hours to pick it up, cash in hand.
Got there and was so discusted by it that I turned around and went home.
The repairs he had done were shoddy. The thing stank. There were boards under the tires on one side to level it up due to a broken spring.
The thing was a wreck. And the seller, who was actually a nice guy, couldn't understand why I didn't like it.
I found another Airstream about 2 months later that was three times as nice for less money.
Local.
I haven't bought another big ticket item on Ebay since.
Formerly PaMike
Member
I buy skidsteers all the time on ebay and other places just off pictures. Talk to the person on the phone. Listen to what they say. Some people are very fussy and will tell you every detail. Others are real vague and gloss over things. Once you find out a little about the person you can guess a little more about how the machine is. That being said, just figure on something not being like it is stated. If the price is right you cant lose...You just have to decide what that price is.
ubzbpuller
Member
Never bought any tractors off of e-bay, but bought a couple of them off of the tractor ads on this web site. Bought them sight un seen but were just like described. One even came from our neighbor to the north and couldn't be happier. There is decent and honest people left in this world. You just have to be careful!
Ron Muhlenkamp
Member
Bought two tractors thru this site, both were as advertised and am happy with both. Still, no guarantees
charlespretzer
Member
Have bought off ebay & purple wave.Sometimes a good deal sometimes not.Has to be really cheap .Odds seem to favor hidden problems.
johndeere720diesel
Member
I bought my 720 off of eBay didn't pay until I picked it up. The price was good and I'm happy with it the seller was honest and fair and helped load it
Stephen Newell
Well-known Member
I bought this Case off ebay. It was in rough condition at the time I bought it however the tractor was exactly as described. I would have gone to look at it but it was 150 miles from me and I didn't want to make the drive just to look at it.
My rule for myself is if I can't go see it beforehand I bid according to the value I see in the photos, what I would expect to sell the piece parted out for. Have bought 2 Ns, a 641, a CCC 1863, and a 24t baler via the web sight unseen and have yet to be disappointed. They all needed some things and all except one of the Ns is here now and earn their keep. Made a few bucks on the N that was sold.
M-MAN
Well-known Member
- Location
- Bostic, NC
Bought one off ebay a few years ago and was very happy with it. There were lots of pics and I talked to the seller on the phone a couple times before I bid.
I have bought many items on ebay. Most are smaller but I have also dropped a lot for a rare machine that I really wanted. That one was about 400 miles one way. From discussions on another forum, I know people in that area so had them go look at it in person, and call me as they were looking at it. Even with wanting it so bad, there is no way I would spend money I could not afford to lose without visual inspecting it.
With purchases of over 100 on ebay, I can honestly say I have been burned 1 time. And that was for $400, on an item I found in the last hour before end of auction. And it was only 42 miles away.
With purchases of over 100 on ebay, I can honestly say I have been burned 1 time. And that was for $400, on an item I found in the last hour before end of auction. And it was only 42 miles away.
Traditional Farmer
Well-known Member
- Location
- Virginia
A lot depends on how much $$$ is involved cheap tractor take a chance high priced not so easy.The best method I've come up with is to locate a dealer of that brand or something close in the same area call them explain that you'd like a mechanic to look it over for you.The mechanic may know the tractor and the seller and give you some direction if the seller doesn't want to have the tractor looked over walk away and consider yourself lucky.
I bought a 530 John Deere on ebay for 1836.89
5 years ago. If the other bidder would have
bid another dollar would have lost it in the
last seconds.. Was rather surprised I got it!
I knew what it to start with, had it hauled home
455 miles. 1st time I saw in Person was in my
drive way. Haven't looked back with a single
regret it's fine tractor & described well by
the seller. Added about 1500.00 to it, now it
gets used everyday on the farm.
5 years ago. If the other bidder would have
bid another dollar would have lost it in the
last seconds.. Was rather surprised I got it!
I knew what it to start with, had it hauled home
455 miles. 1st time I saw in Person was in my
drive way. Haven't looked back with a single
regret it's fine tractor & described well by
the seller. Added about 1500.00 to it, now it
gets used everyday on the farm.
Tramway Guy
Well-known Member
I bought a WD45 on Ebay several years ago. Was a great tractor. Was very lucky to find somebody to haul it reasonably from 500 miles away.
larryanderson
Well-known Member
I buy and sell many nice tractors and 95% of the sellers are honest.E-Bay has some rules but its best to have someone look at it and talk to owner or I have had a representative from local dealership stop and look or have it inspected first.
Traditional Farmer
Well-known Member
- Location
- Virginia
Also add that a couple times I've told the seller I was going to get someone to look at it in person the seller will 'remember' a few more not so good things about the piece.
DaninKansas
Member
Feedback is the key. If they have no feedback I wouldn't even consider buying from them. Then you need to READ the feedback. If they've been selling toys and clothes and suddenly have a tractor I'd be real cautious too.
We've bought tractors through Purple Wave also. They give a decent description (not one written by the seller).
We've bought tractors through Purple Wave also. They give a decent description (not one written by the seller).
With the tractors especially, there are obvious fake listings. If you read a listing, some of them say to contact only by email. Especially ones that have the writing for the listing like the email in a graphic image instead of typed out. The last few years there have been several of those occasionally, and often a few listed at a time. Usually nice tractor, sometimes picture is a little grainy/funny looking, and prices too low, or a ridiculously low "buy it now" but contact me by email type thing. I report them when I see them, and they get taken down. Some hacked accounts get used for that too, so a person just needs to be careful. With these, pretty obvious to see they are fake, often a number of tractors from the same "seller" listed at once.
I bought a van a few years ago on there only seeing the pictures, it still had a little warranty left and was at a used car dealer/repair shop, and it was a very "cheap" model, wasn't too worried about it. Good seller feedback and got certain details in writing. It was 900 miles away, got a ride to the airport (which is 180 miles away), flew out, drove back. No issues to this day. Was some messing around but I paid within $50 of trade in value for it, thousands less than anything in the area and it took a little over a day of being gone to get it.
Couple of things:
1. AFAIK, it is against ebay rules to say that the tractor is also for sale locally. Frankly it's only fair because otherwise everyone could do that. Just pay in cash say it was sold locally and shirk the bill for listing.
2. Only buy what you feel comfortable with. I bought one tractor off ebay sight unseen, and it turned out better than described. The others were looked at first.
1. AFAIK, it is against ebay rules to say that the tractor is also for sale locally. Frankly it's only fair because otherwise everyone could do that. Just pay in cash say it was sold locally and shirk the bill for listing.
2. Only buy what you feel comfortable with. I bought one tractor off ebay sight unseen, and it turned out better than described. The others were looked at first.
I have bought and sold several tractors off of Ebay. I can't honestly say I was ever Mislead or Taken. Here in western, Pa and probably everywhere else across the USA, people seem to think that when they go to a farm auction they are getting a superior machines. More often than not struggling farmers keep tractors running with baler twine and wire, so to speak. I have run into people who wouldn't pay $2500 for a $5000 tractor. Because they are, (well let me see how do I say this), CHEAP.
Many years ago I bought a backhoe on Ebay. I didn't know enough about what I was buying and the seller didn't know enough about what he was selling. He advertised it as a Ford 4400. I won and it was 'not as advertised'. It was a 4500 Industrial. If he had known he would have gotten much more. It needed lots of TLC but was all there and has been "my baby" and a monster worker ever since.
Nancy Howell
Well-known Member
No, not all buyers are legit and the definition of "condition" can vary widely.
James looked at a tractor on Ebay and contacted the seller about coming to look at it.
Tractor was not in any way in "good running condition" like the seller had advertised. Tranny had major issues, pto did not work, lift did not work, etc.
Even after driving to Oklahoma with the equipment trailer, he turned around and left.
If the seller is in reasonable proximity, you can send the seller a message and ask to inspect the tractor.
James looked at a tractor on Ebay and contacted the seller about coming to look at it.
Tractor was not in any way in "good running condition" like the seller had advertised. Tranny had major issues, pto did not work, lift did not work, etc.
Even after driving to Oklahoma with the equipment trailer, he turned around and left.
If the seller is in reasonable proximity, you can send the seller a message and ask to inspect the tractor.
Chris Jones
Member
Like with anything there are good sellers and bad sellers on ebay. The problem is telling them apart. Remember selling is pointing out the positives and smoothing over the negatives. At what point it becomes unethical is up for debate.
I have purchased or gone to see things to find them not what I expected. Mostly I kick myself for not remembering if it looks too good to be true it probably is. I try to believe the seller meant no harm. I have concluded there is a whole world of difference in the way people look at things--honestly. One persons idea of surface rust is "some areas of heavy pitting" to another. One person's idea of a rebuilt steering gearbox is new wear parts and to another it's repacking it with grease.
It's human nature to attribute more value to stuff you own than others would--especially things you've had awhile, maybe were in your family, things you cared for. Still, some sellers seem overly proud of what they have. Buyers often expect way too much as well.
If I were you, I'd ask questions about anything that concerns me. If it's important it doesn't have bugs in the paint I'd ask if it does. Ask if it uses oil--but bear in mind using oil is a varying issue and they might feel justified in saying no but you notice some smoke. Ask Ask Ask then ask yourself what might be hidden and weigh your options. If they say the transmission works great you'd be right to be ticked if it doesn't shift but if you thought that meant it didn't whine you should have asked does it make any noise too--whine might be a normal thing in a transmission to them and not something to note. If they don't care to answer your questions you probably don't want what they are selling. Good luck.
I have purchased or gone to see things to find them not what I expected. Mostly I kick myself for not remembering if it looks too good to be true it probably is. I try to believe the seller meant no harm. I have concluded there is a whole world of difference in the way people look at things--honestly. One persons idea of surface rust is "some areas of heavy pitting" to another. One person's idea of a rebuilt steering gearbox is new wear parts and to another it's repacking it with grease.
It's human nature to attribute more value to stuff you own than others would--especially things you've had awhile, maybe were in your family, things you cared for. Still, some sellers seem overly proud of what they have. Buyers often expect way too much as well.
If I were you, I'd ask questions about anything that concerns me. If it's important it doesn't have bugs in the paint I'd ask if it does. Ask if it uses oil--but bear in mind using oil is a varying issue and they might feel justified in saying no but you notice some smoke. Ask Ask Ask then ask yourself what might be hidden and weigh your options. If they say the transmission works great you'd be right to be ticked if it doesn't shift but if you thought that meant it didn't whine you should have asked does it make any noise too--whine might be a normal thing in a transmission to them and not something to note. If they don't care to answer your questions you probably don't want what they are selling. Good luck.
I've never bought a tractor off ebay, but I bought my g1355 without looking at it, guy sent me a few pictures and I could just tell it was strait and original, sent him a check and had it delivered and looked just as food if not better when it came and ran fine, not saying everyone gets that lucky.
thanks for all the info.. I have purchased several tractors, over the years, but all were within 3 or so hours drive. looking at ebay, it is tempting to bid on some of the items, because of the price. I think I will not try, I have enough to worry without the worry of getting a bad deal have a good day to all
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