Posted by George on March 30, 1998 at 15:23:52:
In Reply to: How many tractors does it take to raise a family? posted by QuietMan (a.k.a. Shameless in Texas) on March 30, 1998 at 10:24:21:
: Raised in the country, country at heart, living in the country now….I long to earn a wage in the country way. I find myself putting my career in neutral for a moment. By trade (I shamefully admit) I am a computer "goob", (Electrical Desing/Drafter). I am considering trading in my keyboard and mouse for grease rag and parts catalog. I have been presented the opportunity (repeatedly) to join a family friend who has a well established used tractor, equipment and parts store. Wages will be SIGNIFICANTLY less, but chances of quarterly bonus's depending on how sales go. I pray this move doesn't prove to be difficult for my family, but I seek job satisfaction, and a challenge of a new environment which money cant purchase. It would be nice to go home smelling like diesel as opposed to Xerox toner and Liquid Paper.
: Any comments from others in the tractor business? Can a young energetic man who is self motivated make an honest living at this? Would any of you buy parts from me?
: Probably not the normal topic for this forum, just curious of your opinions.
: Thanks,
: QuietMan
If you are planning to go in with a friend as a owner or partner make sure you have a good lawyer and everything on paper to protect yourself and your family. I learned the hard way. I went in and bought out a business over time from a so called family member. Built up the business, organized it, took the sales up 350%, spent 15 years doing so Just to find out that the family member took the books out of the business and wiped out everything that pertained to me and is winning in court. Even the deed to the property was in my wife and I names didn't help. The so called family member got most of it back. The property was free and clear of debt. Think of anything that can go wrong because it can happen, believe me.