Tractor Masters (Sacramento) has disappeared

[California]

Tractor Masters in Sacramento disappeared.

They were a major VN-owned rebuilt importer, with probably 100 Yanmars and 100 other tractors in stock continually. The manager told me they imported 200 tractors per month. I think most were wholesaled to small dealers.

(Tractor Masters Website)

Their website still shows the Pell Drive address and photos. The new tenant there said they didn't leave any forwarding information, but said he heard they moved to South Sacramento.

I'm going to miss Van.

 

[California]

And now they have reappeared!

Yesterday the old number referred me to a replacement number that just forwarded to a pager. Today I called again and Van answered.

I stopped by and they have a somewhat smaller operation. About 30 tractors total. Mostly used-unrestored Hinomotos and FX's, and a containerload of used tillers. No fresh VN rebuilts in sight except a couple of dusty units that are likely 10-hour customer returns.

 

[chriswheeler]

They talked about moving before the theft of the box full of tractors, guess they finaly followed through with the move. Not to great of an area over off of Pell, that would motovate me to get outa there as well. Doesn't sound like the area they moved to is much better though. Sure sounds like they downsized a bunch. I liked Van to and they always treated me well.
Chris

 

[arthr31]

So, where do you think the warehouse of rebuilt tractors went to? I've been noticing an increase of zen-noh yanmars on ebay lately, but mostly looking like vina tractors... -Art

 

[California]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( So, where do you think the warehouse of rebuilt tractors went to? I've been noticing an increase of zen-noh yanmars on ebay lately, but mostly looking like vina tractors. -Art )</font>

I dunno where the rebuilts went. All sold maybe? Now that you mention it, this does look like the back office for a salesroom elsewhere. But its along a principal light-industry expressway near traditional tractor dealers. (Its also near the booming 'Little Saigon' on Sacramento's southern fringe. -News article).

Van would surely be at their primary sales location with her perfect combination of charm and negotiating skill.

It looks like they started on a different business model, ie import tractors no more than 20 years old for minor detailing onsite. Maybe Yanmar complained about 'rebuilt'? Or maybe they just held off the next boatload of rebuilts until they are settled in.

I've wondered if this was another branch of Vina since their rebuilts look at least as good, but they don't use V-brand loaders. All Koykers. They had about 20 new Koykers on pallets ready to install.

I find the business side of this market interesting.

 

[EFC]

What do you find interesting about it?

Buck

 

[California]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I find the business side of this market interesting. - California
What do you find interesting about it? - Buck )</font>

Money! I wonder if there is still an unused opportunity to make money importing top quality rebuilts.

Also I'm curious what effect Yanmar Corp is having on the industry.

Since this thread has a dealer's name in the title perhaps a general discusion of the industry should be in a new thread. I'll start one.

See Yanmar imports - continuing at the same pace?

 

[EFC]

There is currently no such thing as a high Quality rebuilt import. Is there a market to sell salvaged junk....you bet! Odds are if you play on the vanity of the American buyer you can make money. Sell something pretty no matter how big of a piece of junk it is and you will be making money based on the fact that buyers like to look better than their neighbors.

If you want to make money as a legitimate dealer that is cool but stop looking at salvaged junk and get ready to work. Every person that buys a tractor from you expects you to be there for them ten years from now. I don’t believe that is unrealistic to ask either. Are you ready to do that?

Yanmar hasn’t done one thing to stop us from importing tractors. Even if they did they are only one of 5 brands worth importing. If you don’t believe me then by all means import all the Jinmas you can buy. Nothing like Chinese equipment to kill my competition. I love it when my competitors buy Chinese. I can almost count the days till their out of business.

Please don’t take this post wrong, I wish I had a penny for everybody that comes to my shop and says they are thinking of doing the same thing I do. I laugh as they are at my shop on their day off and I haven’t had a day off in two months. If you want to be in this business then I am 100% behind you but do it right and build a real dealership that serves its customers like they deserve, for the long term and don’t sell junk.

Buck

 

[BruceR]

Maybe he could sell for megabucks on Ebay and then just send them to you and Tractor Earnie for parts, service and advice. Isn't that what usually happens ? Take the money and run. I run into this problem all the time, just in a different line of work.

California, I have a lot of respect for you based on your past posts. Maybe the green that interests you the most is not your YM240.

Bruce

Might make good business sense for a VN importer to move on a regular basis.

 

[chriswheeler]

Van said she went back to VN last summer to try to cure their ongoing problems with quality control. It was a big problem for them as a dealer. Their rebuilder in VN turned out some great work and some that caused them and customers trouble. Things that shouldn't have been overlooked in ANY rebild. Almost like they were using two different groups. My tractor came from their wearhouse, I picked it out of 5 YM 3000 they had in stock at that time. With the language problems, I couldn't get much more than that. They did do a good job of supporting me in the past but who knows what they decided to do at the new place???
Chris