Buying Advice Is this tractor stolen?

[Wise Old Man]

I am looking to buy a used compact tractor, and I've learned that the stolen farm/homestead equipment is quite the large industry. I saw on Craigslist a decently priced JD; just the size, price range, and condition I'm looking for. I phoned the seller. Not a dealership, he said; He just buys and sells tractors. He was vague about where HE purchased it. Concern is, the tractor is 7 to 11 years old and with just 94 hours! Really? QUESTION: How can I be assured the tractor was not stolen 7 or so years ago, been in a barn somewhere, and is now being sold? And if it IS stolen, how can the thief be brought to justice, and maybe the victim get return of his/her property?

 

[RobertBrown]

I am looking to buy a used compact tractor, and I've learned that the stolen farm/homestead equipment is quite the large industry. I saw on Craigslist a decently priced JD; just the size, price range, and condition I'm looking for. I phoned the seller. Not a dealership, he said; He just buys and sells tractors. He was vague about where HE purchased it. Concern is, the tractor is 7 to 11 years old and with just 94 hours! Really? QUESTION: How can I be assured the tractor was not stolen 7 or so years ago, been in a barn somewhere, and is now being sold? And if it IS stolen, how can the thief be brought to justice, and maybe the victim get return of his/her property?

All you can do is get the S/N and contact the local authority, tell him your concerns and give him the number. If he's not worried about it then I wouldn't either. I would consider that due diligence on your part

 

[texasjohn]

Beware...Craig's List has numerous people who scam and prey on folks looking for a great tractor an an unbelievable price with all the dandy features and low, low hours. I've seen dozens of these ads for tractors. Go see the tractor, see the person immediately. If there is any problem with either, or any excuse .... drop it like a hot potato. There is likely no tractor at all...often images are stolen from legitimate sources and used.

 

[Wise Old Man]

Robert, your reaponse appears to make good sense, and perhaps that is all I can really do. I'm wondering, if the local authorities have access to tracking S/Ns of stolen compact tractors? It seems from my readings that not much has been done (perhaps some more recently) on tracking numbers of this kind of equipment.

 

[MF1652]

Robert, your reaponse appears to make good sense, and perhaps that is all I can really do. I'm wondering, if the local authorities have access to tracking S/Ns of stolen compact tractors? It seems from my readings that not much has been done (perhaps some more recently) on tracking numbers of this kind of equipment.

Every LE agency in this country has access to NCIC. A national database of stolen property such as vehicles, boats, machinery, computers and anything else that has ever had a serial number stamped on it. Get the serial number on the tractor and ask your local LEO to run it for you. If it's stolen, they can find out where it was stolen from and get it back to them. If it's clean, then you may want to purchase it. Good luck.

 

[Wise Old Man]

Yes, TexasJohn, I too have seen some outrageous "deals" on Craiglist! Like prices of 25% of true value... "Just send a payment via this method and the equipment will be delivered to your address for free"! No need for me to drive to Northern Saskachtewan to view it! Ha ha ha! This is a local guy, so that is a plus. Just a bunch of compact tractors in his barn.

 

[Johnnyt321]

They can with the make/model/serial number, if the person it is stolen from gives all of this to the authorities so they can enter it into ncic database.

 

[Wise Old Man]

I think you guys have given me very good advice! Thanks! It does appear to be a reasonably good deal. I will check the VIN, pass it on to local PD, if all checks out okay, I just might buy it

 

[Wise Old Man]

I didn't know of this data "NCIC" data base. I'm glad it exists. What are the letters NCIC an acronym for?

 

[Wise Old Man]

MF1652, I'm also from New Hampshire. And, so is the tractor I had concern about. But, I'll take the good advice and new learning I just received here and use it. Thanks