Grapple Buy from ebay?

dustinfox · Oct 23, 2011

Looks like a good deal but it seems risky buying something like this from ebay.

Thoughts? Anyone have experience buying from ebay?

48 or 60 SKID STEER/COMPACT TRACTOR LOADER GRAPPLE ROOT RAKE kabuta,new holland | eBay

tmajor · Oct 23, 2011

Doesn't look like any problem to me. You can P/U, if you like. He has a 100% feedback rating and has sold over 9500 items. As long as the shipping and price meet your approval, go for it.

Glen Watkins · Oct 23, 2011

Looks pretty light duty but if you are putting it on a small tractor that's what you need. I would not be afraid to order over the internet for something like this. Talk to the guy over the phone plenty to have it built the way you want. I think there are better deals out there but you came to the right place for all the info you will need to make an informed decision!

woodlandfarms · Oct 23, 2011

It looks a bit light but I think it would do well up to 35 hp. The only thing that scares me is the typo's. I guess fabricators don't have to get a degree in English but kabuto is not a kubota.

I like the added tines. Seems like a good option

creekbend · Oct 23, 2011

I have never purchased any implements from EBAY or large scale items, but I have ordered a hitch along with many various other items. There was never a problem. If the seller's feedback is satisfactory, I myself wouldn't hestitate to buy a tractor;etc from EBAY. But I would look for one that was close to my locale, in order that I could check it out and test it personally. Here's wishing you the best and success.

:tractor:

dustinfox · Oct 23, 2011

I've never purchased anything from ebay. It sounds risky to me. I mean all you really know is the "user name" and the rating. Not like a store front where you can see who it is, where they are, telephone, etc.

RoyJackson · Oct 23, 2011

dustinfox said:
I've never purchased anything from ebay. It sounds risky to me. I mean all you really know is the "user name" and the rating. Not like a store front where you can see who it is, where they are, telephone, etc.

Although one should be skeptical to a degree (especially from private sellers), several tractor/implement auctions are dealers selling new equipment. Not too too much risk there.
There are normally ways to contact the seller...click on their name and look on the left side of the page that opens.

nickel plate · Oct 23, 2011

I bought my new Woods backhoe from a seller I found on ebay and it shipped clear across the country with absolutely no hitches.
As for the grapple shown, take a closer look at the photo showing the two pin pockets-those are some nasty looking welds.

Being that it is offered in both 48" and 60" versions, that's just way too much of an open area between the two tines. Probably o.k. for packing tree sections but I see brush falling out with every bump on the trail or road. It needs to have at least three or better four tines for that size to be an allround grapple.

tmajor · Oct 23, 2011

I will tell you one thing, "You can't sell 9500 items on eBay, and have a 100% feedback rating, if you screw up or misrepresent very often"! When you are dealing with the public, anything and everything is potential for a problem. ... That includes price, shipping rates and time, color variance, no reply to their emails and the list goes on.

It wouldn't hurt to write him and ask any particular questions, you have, about the product, but I'd bet, it will be nearly an exact replica of the posted pictures and description.

tmajor · Oct 23, 2011

dustinfox said:
I've never purchased anything from ebay. It sounds risky to me. I mean all you really know is the "user name" and the rating. Not like a store front where you can see who it is, where they are, telephone, etc.

Their location is generally described in the auction, as well as their phone number being included in the description. About the only other thing, which they could do, would be, to deliver it for an inspection before purchase. Good luck with that.