Selling a tractor problem

I am selling my Oliver 880, it's a gas burner, runs good, no power steering or power booster. A little over 3500 hours on a working tach, tires are weather checked but usable. I made a deal with a guy 400 miles away to sell it to him for $2500 and he hasn't come to get it yet, no money changed hands yet. I checked the hydraulic one day last week and all of a sudden, it doesn't have any oil on the dipstick. I filled it back up and waited a couple of days and checked again, it's halfway down to the add mark. I called him and told him it is losing hydraulic oil and I didn't feel right selling it as it is. He said to let him know what I decided. I pulled the hydraulic unit hoping just the seals were bad and took the pump apart. The shaft where the seals ride is too rough to just put new seals in. I had a new shaft, needle bearings and seals put in to the tune of $305 plus a 330 mile round trip for parts. Would you just eat the added expense or try to raise the price and recoup the added expense?? I wouldn't feel right just selling it as it was, but I thought I was giving him a really good deal before I found the leak. I'd be happy if he would pay for half of the repairs, but I have a feeling that I will have to eat the cost or else try to sell it to someone else and hope to get my extra dollars back that way. What do you all think?? Chris

Tell the individual what you had to do to remedy the problem, just ask him to share in the expense. If he is not willing to share the expense, which is better for him and better for your peace of mind, find a new buyer. Of course, its your tractor do as you please. gobble

(quoted from post at 15:33:27 07/31/22) Tell the individual what you had to do to remedy the problem, just ask him to share in the expense. If he is not willing to share the expense, which is better for him and better for your peace of mind, find a new buyer. Of course, its your tractor do as you please. gobble

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Thats short money on that nice looking tractor.

Vito

Usually when something like that occurres, offer to split the cost to make the repair before starting the repair. IMHO, at this point it was your choice to repair it, not the current buyer's, so either honor the old price or find another buyer. Would you have been disappointed by a $2195 sale price before the problem was found?

Cost of parts is more then fair no labor cost now rebuilt pump he wins.

New price is $ 2800.00

Id split the cost with you because you were honest up front. If I wanted I wouldnt loose the tractor over $150.

Good thing you found the problem before he had it home, and discovered the lek. It would made for some bad relations. I think he should split the cost. As it is I think he is getting a good deal anyway. Stan

does it have a 3 PT ???? tHAT IS A VERY GOOD PRICE...

That's a awful nice looking tractor for 2500. I would try get him to pay for the parts and explain you paying for labor and getting the parts. He is still getting a good deal and you've proven to him your honest and a creditable person which should mean something to him. You didn't just unload it on him knowing there was a problem. If that doesn't fly I don't think you will have a problem finding a new buyer.

Just decide what you need for it and tell him. He can either pay or walk... You were cheap enough to begin with. Lots of non-running relics out there for near that much money.

Rod

I'd tell him the original 2500 dollar deal is off. It should of been anyways, when you told him the situation and didn't want to sell it to him in a lesser condition than what it was presented as in the beginning.

Add on the parts/labor expense you think is fair and comfortable with. Tell him you'll give him the first chance at the new price, if still interested. Otherwise he is in no way tied to the deal. Can walk if he wants to, and tractor there for will be advertised at the new price, with no obligation from him if not I interested anymore.

For what it's worth, doesn't sound like he was real interested, cash in hand, knocking down your door to buy this thing. Sometimes those types of people are hard to get money out of, IF they do buy something. Might be a blessing in disguise if he says (NA, not interested anymore), and you sell it to somebody else that has the cash in hand, and more serious about buying it.

I would be happy to buy that at $2,800. Looks like a nice well cared for tractor. Unfortunately Im guessing that I live too far away. Im assuming your from the Midwest.

You did the labor he should be happy to pay for the parts.Too late now but when you first called him about the problem I would have said he could take it as is at the original price or I'll fix it and he can pay for that added to the original price.

First thing is how long ago did you make that deal and when was the mony supposed to be paid. I am asuming if it has been long enough for you to get the parts and do the work it has been probably about 3 weeks or more. So if I am correct he has backed out of the deal without telling you he wanted out. Time here is what is important.

I don't know what I'd do at this point Chris. I guess I'd probably eat it. The mistake was in not calling him, telling him that it had started leaking and asking him what he wanted to do. At that time he could have chosen the option of taking it with the leak or backing out. You're kind of stuck now by trying to do the right thing, so you'll probably have to keep doing the right thing and pay for it yourself.

I tell him the the price is now $2800 and send him a copy of the bill for the parts so he knows you didn't just decide to change the price. I had that happen once - drove 200 miles to pick up a pair of tires - when I got there the guy raised the price assuming I'd eat it because I'd already driven that many miles. I told him I had the money in cash for the original price - got into my truck and started home. He called me before I made it down his drive way and told me the original price was good. Against my better judgement I turned around and paid him and loaded them. Still kind of wish I had kept going. The tires did work out though.


The buyer being 400 miles away with no money in the game still makes this a very sketchy deal. If he ever shows up (doubtful) you will be very lucky.

They buyer told you to let him know what you decided.

So why don't you let him know what you decided. You decided to fix the tractor.

It doesn't hurt to ask for more, but, to my way of thinking, if it was a $2,500 tractor without the leak when you agreed to the price, it is either worth less with the leak or still a $2,500 tractor repaired.

It's really your decision, your money, your tractor.
Do what you want.

I would repair it and stand behind the original deal especially if I no longer want the tractor.

3500 hours and a gasser may be hard to sell..

Could lower your price and sell as is and not have the hassle repairing it..