Spray paint over rust

[Spark_man]

You know, they say there is really no such thing as a new idea (or scam, in this case). Caveat Emptor! was a latin expression that translates to "Let the buyer beware!" Words to live by, if you ask me.

 

[flusher]

I had my second ebay experience today and it was stunningly similar to the first - gross misrepresentation of the condition of the tractor and spray paint directly over the grime and rust. Ok, I admit it, on neither tractor did I actually try to scrape the new paint off. But I bet I could have - no problem. It's really quite depressing to think that people are so venal as to think that doing this is a good idea. Sure, they wouldn't get as much money for their crappy tractors - but at least they would be being honest about them. Right. But who cares about honesty - it's the money that counts.

Well. Poop! 4 months on and still looking for the right tractor...

c

Not surprising. Right now I'm reconditioning a 1966 MF-135 diesel that I picked up locally last July. Now I know how much elbow grease and time it takes to service, detail and repaint a vintage tractor.

My guess is that most tractors offered on eBay haven't gone through this tedious process. Probably at best these "like new" tractors were powerwashed before the spray paint was applied. After power washing my 135, I still had about 15 hours of detailing work to get the engine really clean.

Just cleaning the crud out of the radiator air passages took me 4-5 hours. Hitting the radiator with the power washer just bends the thin aluminum fins so this work had to be done by hand with assorted small picks, a thin flat blade screwdriver and a utility knife. I guess I could have removed the radiator and got it professionally cleaned, but it's probably 40 years old and might not have survived an aggressive cleaning process. Then it would have been $150 plus for a new radiator.

Those repainted tractors on eBay look OK in the long shots. But the flaws in the paint are pretty often detectable in the close up shots, if the seller has provided any.

I've seen a lot of attractive tractors offered on eBay that have sold way under the average retail price (the average dealer price for a "clean" tractor per the Tractor Blue Book). I was sorely tempted several times, but, alas, the vast majority of eBay tractors are located East of the Rockies and I'm in northern CA. Transportation cost is a deal killer. Don't see many West Coast tractors on eBay for some reason.

 

[lawn_king]

I just purchased a (the dude abides) tee shirt on e bay from the movie the big lebowski, it was a good deal!

 

[FarmGeek]

A few years back I bought a beautiful late model Ford 3000 to bush hog my newly acquired farm. Paint was flawless, new tires, seat and steering wheel, straight sheet metal and ran great. The guy I bought it from restored them as a hobby and I felt confident I could use this little tractor for many years to come. I always wanted another thousand model Ford and this was my chance. I paid top dollar and happily trailered it the 100 miles back home.

All was well until I decided to change the fluids. Transmission was about three gallons low and the wrong type. Power steering leaked all its fluid out after the first mowing. I found the radiator’s bottom was completely rusted out. The thermostat housing was cracked and one stud broken off in the block. The lift stopped working properly after two months. I drained over a GALLON of rocks and gunk from the fuel tank. Fuel pump was patched with epoxy and started to leak. Rear rims looked great but leaked air where the rust had eaten holes completely through them from the inside. Fuel lines got blocked so often I wouldn’t get in the seat without the proper wrenches to bleed it with. To top it off, it was an English model but I was too ignorant to notice.

When my working time ON it exceeded the working time WITH it, I fixed everything and traded it in on a new Orange model. Tractoring time has been far more productive since then.

It’s amazing what a great paint job can cover up.

 

[Soundguy]

I feel your pain.

There is a big difference in a guy that did some prep work and missed a spot or two before painting, and the guy that does the auction job, and paints everything... belts and wires and all.. etc.

I've bought a few things from online sellers.. some good.. some bad.. some stuff came in so rusty.. that i had to repair it before i could even use it. ( I bought a battery box once.. salvage.. etc.. owner stated it had some rust on it.. when i got it.. the floor fell out when i took it out of the box!! I had to 'nibble' the floor out, leaving a ip, and tack in a new sheetmetal floor before being able to use.

Soundguy

I had my second ebay experience today and it was stunningly similar to the first - gross misrepresentation of the condition of the tractor and spray paint directly over the grime and rust. Ok, I admit it, on neither tractor did I actually try to scrape the new paint off. But I bet I could have - no problem. It's really quite depressing to think that people are so venal as to think that doing this is a good idea. Sure, they wouldn't get as much money for their crappy tractors - but at least they would be being honest about them. Right. But who cares about honesty - it's the money that counts.

Well. Poop! 4 months on and still looking for the right tractor...

c

 

[charlesw]

I feel your pain.

Oh, hey! That's a nice tractor you have there

Well... My faith was partially restored last night. I saw an amazing NH 3930... Over 1100 hours and it was beautiful - like a barely-used tractor.

Of course, something in a condition that good is out of my price range!

Any pointers on what to email the dealer to help talk him down? His line is that I need to get an Ag exemption from the county (to avoid the 8% sales tax). And then I guess I just need to come up with the extra cash (magically?) for implements. Somehow I feel that if he wants to make the sale he should do the research on the exemption. But, whatever. I already know that for property taxes you need to sell $10k in product to qualify. Well... I might sell $1k or $2k in stuff -next- year - but that's then and this is now...

The only comp I see on the web right now (1997 NEW HOLLAND 3930 40 HP to 99 HP For Sale at TractorHouse.com) is almost $2k cheaper. Mind you, it has dents in it and the one last night sure doesn't!).

charles

 

[Soundguy]

I'm sure the sales tax issue will differ county to county, state to state.

Where I live, there are many small farms. To qualify for the ag-use discounted tax rate of 2.5% or 3% ( vs 6.5/7% ).. All we have to have is land that is zoned A-1, and have livestock on it, or a garden.. etc. I.E. pretty lax. If your county/state actually requires a property tax exemption ( and probably a schedule f on your income taxes ).. then it may not be feasable for you to go for the ag use tax.. etc. .. and it may not be worth trying to avoid the discount if you are not entitled to it... I.E. the area you live in has made it difficult for people to get exemptions.. vs other areas that are easier to get exemptions. My advice would be to take advantage of any exemptions that you are qualified for.. etc.. anything else is just inviting tax trouble..

As for the price on tractorhouse... Hmm.. it seems a tad high.. but then.. my area is florida.. a different geographic ara.. etc... in my area, 3930 and 3910 in good condition go for 9000-13000, add 1-2 for the 4wd, add 1-2 for the loader..

Soundguy

 

[charlesw]

Ah, well, interesting. Of course, it's hard for me to tell my guy that he's $3k high. Hmm. No, that part is easy. Getting him to come down $3k is the harder part!

Thanks for the advice on taxes... Hey - I've got a garden! I've even got an orchard (back in the brush - that I can't get to!)...

 

[billbill1]

I would think that a tractor in good condition would sell locally without using Ebay. Lots of Ebay stuff is sold knowing that it is sight unseen.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

I would think that a tractor in good condition would sell locally without using Ebay. Lots of Ebay stuff is sold knowing that it is sight unseen.

That's true up to a certain point. One of the biggest attractions with selling via EBAY is the quick sell and you generally get a good price from everything. There aren't as many bargains on EBAY now compared to a few years ago.