Info about direct importing

[Smoody]

I have been researching about the practice of importing grey market tractors and have come across 2 well known exporters located in Japan which I will not name, contacted and received inventory and pricing from both. They have a minimum order of 8 units.

Can anyone shed some more light on all that is involved? I know a US customs trader can make life easier, just anything you can add will help, insurance, typical freight, etc.

I have purchased 3 Yanmar's locally from auction and craigslist, repaired and serviced (minor things) and sold them within a week, so it got me looking into the business a bit, mostly out of curiosity, but I think I could make a profitable business in my area by selling original Yanmar units, we have a VN dealer not to far.

I am not sure how most seeking a used tractor feel, but i prefer to buy a Yanmar straight off the boat untouched, no new paint or anything, just service them (fluids) and make sure they run.

 

[kencunningham]

We sure could use a good yanmar dealer around here. What city or county are you located in? Is the dealer you are refering to in sally? If the price is right i might buy one.

 

[California]

When I first started reading TBN in summer 2003 there were a couple of posters who had imported a single container then decided to not continue. In contrast to the real dealers, these individuals said there wasn't enough potential savings to do it again. Difficulties I noted were:

• You get a container of what they want to ship, not what you want to buy.
  
• The container will likely include at least one model, or even brand, that isn't well supported. Possibly several!
  
• Then the obvious stuff - customs and delivery cost, misunderstandings, delays where you go to the port and the container hasn't been cleared yet, etc.
  
• I used to visit an importer of VN refurbs. What I was there was gorgeous but the several times I looked into the container at their dock, I saw damage where the shelving hadn't been sufficient to keep a tractor from chafing, or denting, the one below it. What is your plan for resolving shipping damage?

The real dealers who post here earn their money. I'm not convinced anyone can match their results before you have learned some costly lessons.

 

[kenmac]

Not sure how many actually import themselves vs buying from a large importer at a discount price for buying xxx # of tractors

 

[buppy69]

When I was importing I was able to pick the tractors I wanted from pictures. The only surprise I got was 2 years later when the state of NC contacted me and said I owed use tax on all units.

Eugene

 

[lens12]

There's a lot of difference in quality of tractors & exporters. Some exporters will sell you parts tractors and call them running condition. Other exporters have real high standards & will only sell really good tractors that just need minor servicing. You will pay more for their tractors.This is one of the risks in importing. If you are going to do it on a small scale, you may be better off dealing with someone here that has some experience. For example what models or brands have parts issues- both in dependability & availability. What models have 3 points & which don't. What models don't have standard pto shafts. There are some models of tractors I will not import & there are some models I would only import if the price is very low & would sell with the understanding that it shouldn't have a loader or it has certain design issues.

 

[mikereid]

When I was importing I was able to pick the tractors I wanted from pictures. The only surprise I got was 2 years later when the state of NC contacted me and said I owed use tax on all units.

Eugene

how much was the tax?

 

[Smoody]

California, you make good points. However that all depends on the exporter they were using, the two I have contacted have been in business many many years and probably direct import to various big names mentioned on this forum.

As Eugene stated, I was given a inventory list and access to an online site with photo's and description about each unit, prices are fair and negotiable, not the cheapest but the tractors are in very good condition from the looks of them. I have a lot to square away and research before I take the leap. They require a minimum order of 8 units, I am not sure I want to invest that kind of cash just yet on something that is new to me (importing/exporting)

Kencunningham, I am located in Lancaster, SC, 1 hour south of Charlotte, NC

 

[kenmac]

If you choose to do this..
Do you plan to stock inventory of parts ?? Say, If someone purchased a tractor from you . Would you provide parts support, warranty, repairs under warranty , etc,, ?

 

[Kays Supply]

When I was selling these tractors, I decided to buy from importers for a while to test the waters. It worked well for me. The importers had them on the lot and you could kick the tires. They would sell them to me as is or serviced. He made a few bucks on each one and I did too. I got to get just the ones I wanted. It worked out well for me. My importers would go to Japan at least once a year and look their contact in the eye. It made for a good working relationship. I could never hope to do that. One or two cull tractors can eat a lot of profit.