Lack of Yanmar Tractors?

Ricky_TX · Feb 22, 2005

Their argument is all about money… that’s all business understands. The way to make them back off of their ridiculous demands is to hit them where it counts: the pocket. If no one would purchase anything from them (boycott), they might change their tune and try to be a little more accommodating and reasonable in their approach to grays.

warringt · Feb 22, 2005

here's an idea....just put a "k" on the end of Yanmar... "Yanmark"! Print them up in a similar font and slap em on. I like the similarity to my name! "Harley" sellers had the same problem so they just started calling them "HD" and everybody figured it out when they wanted to buy something. Just a thought!

Yan- Mark
/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

( They will never completely shut down the importation. Kubota done this same thing about 10 years ago. After a slight pause some smart importers started importing the Kubotas with Zen-Noh decals. Wallace copywrited the Zen-Noh name to have exclusive rights to them. Zen-Noh Yanmars are next. Of course anyone with connections to an exporter in Japan could put their own name on the tractor and bring them in.

My question the ebay thing is this. Yanmar does not want the grey market Yanmars on ebay. What about the Yanmars designed for and sold in the USA like the 240, 330, 336, etc? Can Yanmar and ebay legitimately stop people from listing these tractors? ) /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

ducksjunk · Feb 22, 2005

I never liked Ebay to deal with, so stuff THEM.
Why not list your yannies on www.u-1.ca . It's a Canadian based site with U.S. exposure. I've dealt with them for 2 years. they are easy to get along with and actually helpfull when needed. Although small it has good exposure and comes up well on search engines.
No credit card needed to register, and the rates are cheaper. It's time to send Ebay packing.
Richard

Tractors4u · Feb 22, 2005

( If no one would purchase anything from them (boycott), )

That is good, but what are you not going to buy from them? As it is now, you can't buy parts directly from Yanmar. If you need parts you have to go through a licensed Yanmar parts dealer.

There is another parts option on rise. Tom Fredricks of Fredricks Equipment is having Yanmar replacement parts manufactured. Where people used to buy used parts for their Yanmars, he has new. New voltage regulators, PTO covers, rings and other things. Yanmar took his parts license away because they suspected he was supporting grey market tractors. When he couldn't get parts from them, he started having his own made.

normde2001 · Feb 22, 2005

I suspect Yanmar is going after Ebay because Ebay is a major publicly owned company and under the control of the Securities and Exchange Commission. They could threaten going to the SEC with accusations of knowingly engaging in the "illicit" practice of selling gray market imports and causing the dreaded SEC investigation.

Tractors4u · Feb 22, 2005

( engaging in the "illicit" practice of selling gray market imports and causing the dreaded SEC investigation.
)

There is nothing illegal about importing, buying, or selling of grey market tractors. Kubota got a court ruling on their grey markets, but as far as I know, Yanmar has not.

thegreatrandini · Feb 22, 2005

I don't think the SEC rules on this.. I don't really think that there is any legal basis except more money for lawyers. We are talking about used equipment. If Yanmar and Kubota get their way you won't be able to sell a used car.
Ebay is saying that I can not sell a used tractor on Ebay that I bought as a used tractor on Ebay!!!!
I thought that in America if you bought something (that was not stolen) that it was yours. If it is my used tractor then why can I not sell it? I always thought that I would sell my tractor on Ebay when I either got a different one or sold the farm. That does not appear to be an option now.... Yanmar is saying that I have no right to sell my used tractor that I bought as a used tractor to anyone in America using any method.....Get it! They think it is their tractor... They think they have a say as to what I do with it... If they feel that way they should cough up the money I am out and they can have the thing. I will go get an old Ford.. You know Ford never intended for the 8n to be sold in 2005. I think they should stop Ebay from selling rebuilt Fords.. I also can't seem to get away from someone bashing Yanmar rebuilds...Geees.
I also think that the best advertising for Yanmar tractors in America has been the Grey's.. When they start selling compacts again (and they will) they will sell like hotcakes because of the greys...... If Japan has some law that prohibits people from selling Used tractors internationally then they should stop them from being exported at the source.. If I buy 10 used mini coopers from GB and import them and rebuild them and warranty them I am not breaking any Trade mark laws that I know of.... This is bogus and I hope someone with some $ takes them on... Wallace caved in. I think Yanmar had more $......The Japanese exporters will not export Kubotas to the US.... I don't know the legal reasons why!!!! I think if you have an old grey kubota in the US that you can sell it? Do you not agree?

thegreatrandini · Feb 22, 2005

I don't think your arguments are valid either!!!!! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Villengineer · Feb 22, 2005

( I thought that in America if you bought something (that was not stolen) that it was yours. ) That doesn't mean that owning it or using it is legal. There are lots of collector cars which can not be licensed for use on US highways. By the way, if you buy your Coopers they will have to be inspected before anyone can legally put them on the road. That means you would have to make them comply with whatever laws apply to sell them. Also if you were to try and use the Mini or Cooper names without their consent, you would be in violation of trademark laws. These reasons are also why you don't see South American versions of the original VW bug running around the US. I'm not saying that you having/using your tractor isn't legal, just that it's not that cut and dried for many things.
Anyway, Yanmar isn't saying you can't sell your tractor, you just can't use the Yanmar name or a picture of your tractor, especially on Ebay. I am sure that they are after the unofficial "Yanmar dealers" on Ebay, not the individual owners. My guess is that neither Yanmar nor Ebay want to expend the resources to determine the difference so they just throw a blanket policy on the matter. Whether this is good business practice or not doesn't really matter. Yanmar pursued what they saw as a large outlet for something they want stopped, and so far it's worked.
Also, if you had a European Ford, do you think you could walk into your local Ford dealer and expect them to carry or spend time searching for parts? Most car dealerships don't want to mess with domestic cars from the era you're asking Yanmar to support.

normde2001 · Feb 22, 2005

"There is nothing illegal about importing, buying, or selling of grey market tractors."

You are correct Brent, I used the wrong word, should have said "frowned upon", which is why they call them gray market in the first place. I still suspect that except for fear of the SEC, Ebay would have told them to take a hike.