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Toolcat by Bobcat
- Thread starter toy1
- Start date
- Views: 9636
technobabble
New member
Thanks for the response BCZoom and Toy1. Can't get a demo as the machine will not be in Australia for another four weeks. It is a turbo model. Since posting yesterday I've discovered a grey importer with two units. He has apparrently had them here since May (no-one wants to buy given that Bobcat haven't even been importing them). They have about 350 hours on them and are 44hp models with air). The importer claims they are demo models purchased from dealers in the States. I can save AUD$15k by buying one of these and he is prepared to bring it here for a half day. Only warrants the units for 30 days though vs 12 months unlimited from Bobcat/ Any comments.
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I can save AUD$15k by buying one of these and he is prepared to bring it here for a half day. Only warrants the units for 30 days though vs 12 months unlimited from Bobcat/ Any comments. )</font>
technobabble,
That equates to about $11,500 USD savings. For that amount, it's hard to turn away without giving it at least some consideration. But be skeptical.
I would start by arranging the 1/2 day visit. Again, for what you're spending, personally, I would want to try it on my terrain. I would equate driving around their lot as being about the same as buying a new car but have the test drive being conducted in the dealer’s parking lot. Not for me. I want to see what the vehicle can do for me, on my terms.
Buying grey market can be a hassle.
A quick story - A couple years ago we wanted to get a new van for Mrs. bczoom. Made the selection but couldn't find one anywhere. We ended up buying it from a dealer in NY, just across the border from Canada. The van was imported from Canada by the dealer. It took us several months to get all the paperwork correct showing appropriate importation, taxes, ownership... and this was on a new vehicle (Honda).
A couple things to consider/check out if you're considering one of the grey market machines.
- How trustworthy would you consider the dealer that's selling the grey market versions?
- Will the other dealer that sells new support this machine?
- 350 hours seems a bit high for a demo unit. If each person that was using it drove for 1 hour, you have 350 different people driving the machine differently. Would you buy a rental car driven by 350 different people? Check the machine out thoroughly. With that many hours, maintenance should have been done. Are there maintenance records?
- Warrantee - is purchasing an extended warrantee available from either the dealer or mfgr?
- Since the dealer "claims" they are demo models purchased from dealers in the States, I'd verify it by doing the next 2 steps.
1. Check with whatever you would call the department of motor vehicles (where you would register, title... your car). Ask what paperwork would need to exist to import a vehicle from the US. Both to show ownership as well as any/all importation/customs documents. Compile this list and try to get copies of customs and importation forms if available. Then take this list to the dealership and have them pull the file for this machine. Make sure all forms/documentation are in place.
2. You also may want to check with BobCat corporate. Have the VIN available. Explain the situation (in whole or part depending on what you want to get from them). One thing to see if you can find out is the ownership history. If it was a demo, the only "owners" should be the US dealership and possibly your AU dealership. I'm thinking your dealer is probably going to be listed as the end purchaser (as if it were a person, not a company in that they're only offering 30 day warrantee). Compare this to the aforementioned paperwork and importation documentation. Also, check the importation documentation to see who the dealer was in the US. Contact them to see if they can confirm the machine’s history and they sold to the AU dealership.
Brian
technobabble,
That equates to about $11,500 USD savings. For that amount, it's hard to turn away without giving it at least some consideration. But be skeptical.
I would start by arranging the 1/2 day visit. Again, for what you're spending, personally, I would want to try it on my terrain. I would equate driving around their lot as being about the same as buying a new car but have the test drive being conducted in the dealer’s parking lot. Not for me. I want to see what the vehicle can do for me, on my terms.
Buying grey market can be a hassle.
A quick story - A couple years ago we wanted to get a new van for Mrs. bczoom. Made the selection but couldn't find one anywhere. We ended up buying it from a dealer in NY, just across the border from Canada. The van was imported from Canada by the dealer. It took us several months to get all the paperwork correct showing appropriate importation, taxes, ownership... and this was on a new vehicle (Honda).
A couple things to consider/check out if you're considering one of the grey market machines.
- How trustworthy would you consider the dealer that's selling the grey market versions?
- Will the other dealer that sells new support this machine?
- 350 hours seems a bit high for a demo unit. If each person that was using it drove for 1 hour, you have 350 different people driving the machine differently. Would you buy a rental car driven by 350 different people? Check the machine out thoroughly. With that many hours, maintenance should have been done. Are there maintenance records?
- Warrantee - is purchasing an extended warrantee available from either the dealer or mfgr?
- Since the dealer "claims" they are demo models purchased from dealers in the States, I'd verify it by doing the next 2 steps.
1. Check with whatever you would call the department of motor vehicles (where you would register, title... your car). Ask what paperwork would need to exist to import a vehicle from the US. Both to show ownership as well as any/all importation/customs documents. Compile this list and try to get copies of customs and importation forms if available. Then take this list to the dealership and have them pull the file for this machine. Make sure all forms/documentation are in place.
2. You also may want to check with BobCat corporate. Have the VIN available. Explain the situation (in whole or part depending on what you want to get from them). One thing to see if you can find out is the ownership history. If it was a demo, the only "owners" should be the US dealership and possibly your AU dealership. I'm thinking your dealer is probably going to be listed as the end purchaser (as if it were a person, not a company in that they're only offering 30 day warrantee). Compare this to the aforementioned paperwork and importation documentation. Also, check the importation documentation to see who the dealer was in the US. Contact them to see if they can confirm the machine’s history and they sold to the AU dealership.
Brian
technobabble
New member
bczoom
Wow! Thanks for investing so much effort in your response. All valuable information. There is no 'ownership register' for earthmoving equipment as most of it is never used on public roads. However, given the difficulty they have had in selling these machines, I have to assume they'd be very compliant in fulfulling any information requests I present.
The 'grey' dealer is large and has been importing from Asia for 10+ years. (They have also started importing low hour ASV RC30's which they are selling for around US$27,500. You can see that there are huge margins on machinery in this country. [ASV have a sole distributor/exclusive arrangement here - a new RC30 retails for US$35k with a 4 in 1 bucket!])
CRJCaptain has also e-mailed me with some great feedback. Uses his machine in very hilly terrain.
It looks like tomorrow will be an interesting day.
Cheers
David Wilks
Wow! Thanks for investing so much effort in your response. All valuable information. There is no 'ownership register' for earthmoving equipment as most of it is never used on public roads. However, given the difficulty they have had in selling these machines, I have to assume they'd be very compliant in fulfulling any information requests I present.
The 'grey' dealer is large and has been importing from Asia for 10+ years. (They have also started importing low hour ASV RC30's which they are selling for around US$27,500. You can see that there are huge margins on machinery in this country. [ASV have a sole distributor/exclusive arrangement here - a new RC30 retails for US$35k with a 4 in 1 bucket!])
CRJCaptain has also e-mailed me with some great feedback. Uses his machine in very hilly terrain.
It looks like tomorrow will be an interesting day.
Cheers
David Wilks
bmac
Veteran Member
My dealer told me yesterday that in about 45 days there will be an option for a rear pto w/ 3ph. Don't know anymore than that. As far as the 56 hp turbo, he said that the gpm and lift capacity would remain the same as that of the standard engine. Just fyi.
technobabble
New member
bczoom,
Will do. I'm sitting here asking my wife why - if I'm considering a grey machine for the equivalent NEW retail price in the US - I wouldn't just buy a new machine there and ship it out here????? Sure I lose warranty but I save about US$15k over Bobacat's local price here! That's a lot of warranty work! Does anyone know a Bobcat dealer that will quote me?
David Wilks
Will do. I'm sitting here asking my wife why - if I'm considering a grey machine for the equivalent NEW retail price in the US - I wouldn't just buy a new machine there and ship it out here????? Sure I lose warranty but I save about US$15k over Bobacat's local price here! That's a lot of warranty work! Does anyone know a Bobcat dealer that will quote me?
David Wilks
technobabble
New member
Had the demo today. Pleasantly surprised with the overall performance. Very stable. Great turning circle. Won't work as hard as a skid steer of carry like a truck etc, etc, but a **** good all-rounder. Seemed to me we lost traction before we ran out of grunt so I can't see how the turbo is going to help. Any comments/opinions/assistance?
David Wilks
David Wilks
David,
I read back through your posts.
Are you saying that the new machine is $15K greater than the US price and the grey market is the same as the US price?
There is a distributor in AU. and is part of Clark Equipment Sales Pty Ltd and is located at Asquith, New South Wales, North of Sydney. Their web page
Not sure if a distributor would do a direct reatil sale but you might want to check.
I read back through your posts.
Are you saying that the new machine is $15K greater than the US price and the grey market is the same as the US price?
There is a distributor in AU. and is part of Clark Equipment Sales Pty Ltd and is located at Asquith, New South Wales, North of Sydney. Their web page
Not sure if a distributor would do a direct reatil sale but you might want to check.
technobabble
New member
Hi bczoom,
That's exactly right. The new price here is US$48k for the 56hp model and around $43k for the 44hp (both with A/C and 4-in-1 bucket). There are no import duties and I have quoted net of sales tax. Clark have a monopoly arrangement and clearly price accordingly.
I have bought the grey market unit. It has 337 hours on it and I have paid about US$35k including a new 4-in-1 to my specs. I am having a brush guard fitted + a few other changes and should have the unit working by the end of next week.
I've also bought a double head heavy duty 6' slasher, a 7' stick/root rake and a few other tools so my total spend is about US$48k.
If the unit performs well, I'll buy the next one by travelling to the States and putting it in the container myself! (I contacted two US dealers who told me their franchise prohibited the export of any machine less than six months old.
Anyway, I'll keep you posted on productivity/cost efficiency of the unit.
David Wilks
That's exactly right. The new price here is US$48k for the 56hp model and around $43k for the 44hp (both with A/C and 4-in-1 bucket). There are no import duties and I have quoted net of sales tax. Clark have a monopoly arrangement and clearly price accordingly.
I have bought the grey market unit. It has 337 hours on it and I have paid about US$35k including a new 4-in-1 to my specs. I am having a brush guard fitted + a few other changes and should have the unit working by the end of next week.
I've also bought a double head heavy duty 6' slasher, a 7' stick/root rake and a few other tools so my total spend is about US$48k.
If the unit performs well, I'll buy the next one by travelling to the States and putting it in the container myself! (I contacted two US dealers who told me their franchise prohibited the export of any machine less than six months old.
Anyway, I'll keep you posted on productivity/cost efficiency of the unit.
David Wilks
