Vietnamese rebuild owners

[normde2001]

I don't believe I have read one word, pro or con, from the actual owners of these Vietnamese rebuilt tractors. They must be selling them to somebody. Where are you guys, and who are you? We would sure be interested in hearing your horror stories.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Or your heaps of praise, or anything in between.

 

[LMTC]

Guys, that is the point. The vast majority of these are not being sold to internet savvy individuals. I'm sure the law of averages says that some are, but not most.
From what I've seen, most are sold 1. at auction, where the unwitting buyer assumes it to be a unique, or at least uncommon, item, and buys based on appearance and the fact that it runs...having no idea that it came from an organized effort to sell via auctions rather than being some other guy's equipment immediately prior to the auction, and 2. individuals who have a small number (sometimes showing just one at a time to give the impression it is/was their personal tract0r) of units with no ability to or intention of providing service, parts, etc.
Take a look at the thread "Buying a used Yanmar in Ohio" if you haven't read it. http://www.tractorbynet.com/cgi-bin...r=175575&page=3&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=
That is how they sell..."Yes, it's a 2002 model. Yes you can get ALL your parts at JD." No internet, no information, nothing to contradict what the seller is telling you. And it is all too easy for these buyers to dismiss our cautions as sour grapes because we don't have these pretty little 2002 Yanmars.
I have watched this happen locally for the past 5 months.
Again, why would we,or other grey dealers, slam them if they were a better option? We would simply buy them. Our inventory turns over many times a year. We could have replaced it all with the VN tractors if we wanted to.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Hmmm....
So they are being sold at auction, with no history, or by someone representing themselves to be an individual seller who sells one at a time in front of his house. So therefore the history is unknown or hidden.

Certainly someone could buy 2-3 junkers and possibly make one running tractor out of it. Likely the parts would be inferior in quality because once a machine sits for awhile and isn't run and maintained it is much more difficult to get running.

As someone posted in this or another thread, people with good reputations proudly put their mark on the tractor so it can be identified and will command a higher price. Those trying to make a quick buck with mediocre or poor work will hide behind the brand reputation and will hide the history.

Either there aren't many out there, or people with these tractors do not know the history, or these tractors are not giving problems. My guess that these tractors are being re-introduced in ways not easily seen (e-bay, "private sales" and auctions) and therefore many people with these tractors don't know if their tractor was rebuilt in Vietnam.

 

[gws]

Why doesnt someone contact the bidders of the ebay units and invite them over for a visit. Or contact folks who have purchased the units.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

hmmmm..... I see information disseminating. Can you contact a bidder independently? I asked a seller (but not one of the "rebuilt" a question about the turf tires--his response was to read the ad (the info requested wasn't in the ad). Asked again, no response.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Another thought, people taken by some sort of fraud or misrepresentation often are embarassed to admit it and keep silent. I don't know if this is the case, but it could be.

 

[Niner]

It is possible to email bidders…….but only after the auction has closed.

From what I am seeing on ebay, it looks like there is a mix. Some shysters, some legit dealers trying to expand sales, and some folks selling their own tractor. Obviously we know it is B.S. when someone is advertising a Yanmar 1601, and his ad reads in part:
“I SELL A LOT OF THESE TRACTORS. MOST ARE 1990 AND UP YEAR MODELS.”
But, someone who has done little or no research into these little tractors would have no idea

 

[gws]

You can email a bidder before or after an auction is closed.
Just click on there id. You will have to go through the ebay
mail system so I would avoid any "abuse" and name calling but welcoming them over to the group would be fine.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I have read many of the postings concerning Vietnamese tractors and can provide the following information. I do own a Yanmar that was imported via Vietnam. I have owned it for a little over a year and put approximately 100 hours on it. Did I have a few problems to fix - yes. Have I had any engine, transmission, or hydraulic problems - no. The tractor I have has been painted, but does not have new bolts or any of the parts re-plated. Did I know in advance it was imported through Vietnam - no. I found out after the fact when I encountered a problem that I originally thought was major, which turned out to be very minor. The "seller" requested that I discuss it directly with his "distributor" in case they had questions. While I did get the problem fixed, they did offer to bring me another tractor free of charge, including delivery. Contrary to the ads and claims on various Internet sites, I do not believe that mine or any of them have been rebuilt top to bottom, but I did not purchase it expecting that it had been rebuilt. By the way, in my area there are no full service dealers....and I am a novice when it comes to tractor buying.

I have seen the real sharp looking Yanmars at a local equipment auction (one time) and they are exactly as described in previous postings. In talking with a few of the "locals" at the auction, they made it very clear that most, if not all, of the ones at the auction need a lot of TLC. One "local" who turned out to be a private seller said that he inspects closely before buying and so far he has been able to get good tractors. From what I was told, the "distributors" do bring a few good ones to this particular auction (now and then) just to make up a complete trailer load. However, the "best ones" are just a phone call away.

One thing for sure, I know of two major "distributors" of the tractors in question and both of them are very aggressive in their "sales and marketing department". I was told by an independent tractor service center that one of them maintains an inventory of approximately 400 tractors. He has been approached to sell their tractors, however, he wants no part of the gray market tractor business - period.

Now for my one and only personal comment - I don't feel that anyone should be doing any bashing because they were "rebuilt" in Vietnam, but rather the claim of being "100% rebuilt". The real issue, as I see it, is not where there were "rebuilt", it is the claim...period.

Now please don't shoot the messenger becuase I am only passing on my personal experience and what I have heard....and one small item of personal opinion