Normde (and all)...I really believe there is some truth in that. Buyers who spend a fair amount of time online, and at forums like this, are much better informed than the average buyer. Thus even if they buy a recon they are likely to be more selective and probably less distressed if something minor or moderate goes wrong, and they are probably less likely to buy from someone who is no more than a backyard reseller. As a dealer, we get the calls. And calls. And more calls.
Dealers who read this, please chime in. Len, I know you have been through this recon-****, even to the point of having Shibs masqueraded as Yanmars with new decaling. I absolutely know that there are lots of problems with them that never make this, or other forums. Most of the people we hear from did not even know they were "grey market" machines...they have no online access at all, and frequently got our name from the seller themselves.
I have never tried to say that some, perhaps many, of these units will not present and run nicely. My concern has always been durability, based on being a collection of parts from otherwise worn-out machines. And I DO hear enough short-term problems to keep me convinced that they are not a good long term bet. Is it a majority of them? Of course not. But contrast that to decent quality used machines from the lots in Japan, wherein we almost never see a significant failure.
Once again, if we believed they were a good lower-cost option for our customers, we would buy them. We'd be crazy not to. We don't believe that, and we don't buy them. Neither do the majority of dealers who visit this board. Neither do the few other big dealers in the country who DON'T visit this board.
And don't forget the parts nightmare of mis-matched parts. I FREQUENTLY hear of engines in different chassis...ie., a supposed YM2000 with a 1600 or 1900 engine. And others. Makes it very difficult to parts source. Too many reports that just make it clear this is the slimy end of the market. Look at the other post by blurockcracker.... <font color="blue"> <The 2020D had more of a high pitched whine which was attributed to a thicker hydraulic fluid than we need in our climate> </font> We all know that's a bunch of razzle-dazzle by the seller. It's not causing the whine, and if it is the wrong fluid, why the heck didn't he put the right fluid in it? And anyone here aware of "climactic fluid" recommendations by Yanamr for hytrans use? This is what I mean....seems most who push these units are un/ill/mis-informed and don't much care that they pass bad info along.
Dealers who read this, please chime in. Len, I know you have been through this recon-****, even to the point of having Shibs masqueraded as Yanmars with new decaling. I absolutely know that there are lots of problems with them that never make this, or other forums. Most of the people we hear from did not even know they were "grey market" machines...they have no online access at all, and frequently got our name from the seller themselves.
I have never tried to say that some, perhaps many, of these units will not present and run nicely. My concern has always been durability, based on being a collection of parts from otherwise worn-out machines. And I DO hear enough short-term problems to keep me convinced that they are not a good long term bet. Is it a majority of them? Of course not. But contrast that to decent quality used machines from the lots in Japan, wherein we almost never see a significant failure.
Once again, if we believed they were a good lower-cost option for our customers, we would buy them. We'd be crazy not to. We don't believe that, and we don't buy them. Neither do the majority of dealers who visit this board. Neither do the few other big dealers in the country who DON'T visit this board.
And don't forget the parts nightmare of mis-matched parts. I FREQUENTLY hear of engines in different chassis...ie., a supposed YM2000 with a 1600 or 1900 engine. And others. Makes it very difficult to parts source. Too many reports that just make it clear this is the slimy end of the market. Look at the other post by blurockcracker.... <font color="blue"> <The 2020D had more of a high pitched whine which was attributed to a thicker hydraulic fluid than we need in our climate> </font> We all know that's a bunch of razzle-dazzle by the seller. It's not causing the whine, and if it is the wrong fluid, why the heck didn't he put the right fluid in it? And anyone here aware of "climactic fluid" recommendations by Yanamr for hytrans use? This is what I mean....seems most who push these units are un/ill/mis-informed and don't much care that they pass bad info along.
Plus, they import from Japan.