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

 

[Anonymous Poster]

We aren't out to shoot anyone. From your reply we have one moderate to good outcome from an unknown history. Thanx.

 

[gatractorman]

Theres a place not far from me that imports these Vietnam rebuilds, I was intrigued and went to look I found nice paint jobs but not much else, oil leaks, black engine oil, painted over filters, had alot of tractors for sale at good prices kinda worried me when I asked about a bunch (50 to 60)of tractors sitting off at the back of the lot, salesman was honest with me and told me those had problems straight off the container.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

400 tractors on one lot? 60 with severe problems? Sounds like whoever is doing the "rebuilds" on these vietnam rebuilds does not have it together yet. Sounts like they aren't taping or covering anything for the paint job. Maybe there are 6 or 7 places doing something. Someone may be just painting, starting, and shipping them. The dealer then has to sort it out and fix the mechanical problems. If these were in fact rebuilt, you wouldn't see leaking seals and fluids not changed. Of course, this is how tractors come from Japan to the good dealers (except for the paint job to cover stuff up).

I guess the problem is that now the dealer must sort it out, and fix the "rebuilt" tractors or try to foist them off on someone without much of a warranty.

Once again, if there are good rebuilders and bad, I would like to hear about them and how we tell them apart.

 

[normde2001]

Did they say these were Vietnam rebuilds? Doesn't sound quite right. As I understand it, they make them look good and charge a lot of money for them. Actually, I think the correct word, as used by Vina Tractors is "reconditioned", with some assemblies "rebuilt" as needed. Reconditioning means disassemble, clean, inspect, replace parts if needed, lube, reassemble and test, good to go. I retired from a "National"ly known Cash Register Co. And reconditioned 100's of cash registers like that, as opposed to "factory rebuilt" which is being claimed by some retailers. We also had "factory rebuilts" that actually went back through the factory assembly lines for 40-60% parts replacement, and restored to like new condition.

 

[gatractorman]

Well, he told me they had a factory in Vietnam and they supposedly got them ready for sale there, to the extent of the "rebuild" he didn't go into detail, I'm thinking its a paint job and somehow, someway get it to start and move.

 

[EFC]

Remember guys, that if you add up the yearly imports of Greys just last year and divide that by the members of the tractor clubs you find out that less than .001% of them even know there is a tractor club. For someone to come to this club they have to be somewhat passionate about tractors in general and I can say for a fact that very few of my customers are. Everyone of my buyers gets a letter inviting them to tractorbynet, and almost every buyer asks me why people would want to sit around and talk about tractors as they laugh and shake their heads. My wife is a member of a PEZ chat club....I don’t understand it but we are all very different people. As far as Vietnam greys, I think they are only as good as the guy you buy them from and your level of expectation. If you buy them from a crook and expect a new tractor then you are in for a tough road. If you buy them from a real dealer and you realize they are 20 year old machines that will have some problems then you should be able to have them available. I know at one time in my life I was far handier than I was rich but I "needed" a tractor. I was expecting problems and prepared to fix them. At the time Handlers and Best Used Tractors were the only people around and 10K was just too much for me to spend on a 1401D. I don’t sell Vietnam tractors but I don’t think we should carpet bomb them either. I think we should fly sorties on the guys selling them on ebay and in paper ads as "Yanmar factory rebuilds" or "new 2002" models. They are the people that are misrepresenting the product and lying to their customers. Sorry for the long post. Have fun /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif. And my wife said to say “PEZ RULES! (I just don’t get it)

 

[hosejockey2002]

<font color=blue>And my wife said to say “PEZ RULES! (I just don’t get it)
</font color=blue>

I don't get it either. I know a guy who's an avid Pez dispenser collector. Other than that he seems like a pretty normal guy.... /w3tcompact/icons/hmm.gif

 

[Turfman]

<font color=blue> Of course, this is how tractors come from Japan to the good dealers</font color=blue>

Yes, but when they come from Japan they are just used tractors, not supposedly "factory rebuilds".

 

[tractorlet]

I believe you need to THINK a little on your suggestion. To go to ebay to invite bidders who are bidding on someone's tractor to come to TBN to listen to people attacking the seller is moving very near to trouble.

Without becoming very legalistic, the legal theory and your theory are moving to a collision course. The internet is not a responsibility free zone. We are each responsible for what we do and say whether on the net or elsewhere.

By the way, I don't sell tractors on ebay but my son does. This is my posting and he can speak for himself.

 

[garytucker]

I bought my 1700 from a local small tractor dealer...no representations of rebuild or anything...no paint or dolling up done to the tractor. Just a good solid little tractor that does a great job!! I was thinking of purchasing a Kubota late next year...but evidently owning a yanmar makes me sub-level for the dealer here in Oklahoma City...guess I will just beat my little yanmar into the ground and buy another one...more hp next time of course. Just because we choose to not pay for a name...doesn't mean we don't care about quality!! We care as much as a John Deere owner!! Quit slamming Yanmars. They are good tractors.