eBay/Craigslist Yanmar Tractors and Ebay

Tractors4u · Mar 14, 2006

You could try the classifieds here on TBN.

VT_Hokie · Mar 15, 2006

It seems to me if you are an individual selling a tractor that was bought legally in the U.S., then you should be able to sell it on ebay. I would make it clear that you are not a dealer on the listing. They should let it go. If not you should have at least generated some contacts before it gets pulled.

BruceR · Mar 16, 2006

Thats how I got mine. Auction was pulled, I emailed seller and was able to buy for several hundred less than his starting bid.

Bruce

California · Mar 16, 2006

( I'm going to be selling my 1700 when I get my loader and top moved over to the 2020 I just bought. I was going to try ebay, but I guess not. -Eddie)

Try it.

Put your contact info - email, phone, whatever, in the listing. Most of your potential customers will know to write that down when they see it, before the auction gets pulled.

Yanmar is exercising their legal right to control ALL use of their trademark. Ebay has a special program to enforce this right when requested by the copyright owner. Yanmar is apparently running continual searches to find the auctions and report them.

The second line of an auction heading, the small type, isn't listed in Ebay's search engine. You might say '17 HP Japanese Compact Tractor' in the auction title and 'similar to YM195' in the second line.

YanmarFever · Mar 17, 2006

Yanmar is exercising their legal right to control ALL use of their trademark. Ebay has a special program to enforce this right when requested by the copyright owner. Yanmar is apparently running continual searches to find the auctions and report them 

We own the trade mark for KUMIAI tractors which are mitsubishis, Are you saying that all we have to do is write to ebay and presto no more KUMIAI tractors are ever sold there again ???

normde2001 · Mar 17, 2006

"We own the trade mark for KUMIAI tractors which are mitsubishis, Are you saying that all we have to do is write to ebay and presto no more KUMIAI tractors are ever sold there again ???"

Thatr's probably true, especially if you are the size of Yanmar, threaten them, (Ebay), with legal action and can back it up.

California · Mar 17, 2006

( Are you saying that all we have to do is write to ebay and presto no more KUMIAI tractors are ever sold there -Ernie)

In effect, yes. Read about Ebay's VERO program. You need to protest each auction that misuses your trademark, and they will kill that auction.

See Ebay's VERO page
Yanmar Ltd used to be listed there. Now their link goes nowhere. They apparently changed their username or hired a search firm to watch auctions.

Here's a link to such a search firm
Net Enforcers - Copyright Enforcement, Copyright Protection, Trademark Protection, Brand Protection, Digital Asset Protection
(I found that when I clicked on 'Kenwood' on the VERO page.)

greatrandini · Mar 17, 2006

It is my opinion that what Yanmar and Ebay are doing is not legally correct. I think they would be legally correct if they were stopping sales of "new" gray market tractors. These are used tractors (even the rebuilds). It seems to me that Yanmar got the money they were entilted to years ago. I don't see that they have any say it what happens to a used tractor. No one is hijacking the Yanmar trademark. Fact is Yanmar built these tractors. I can not see any trademark infringement. The problem is Yanmar and Ebay have big $ for lawyers. Someone could start a class action suit but who would pay for it? Since it is legal to sell used Yanmar tractors which were originally intended for use elsewhere in the USA; it seems that trademark infringement is not the case. Furthermore Ebay extends beyond the boundries of the USA. I just don't get it. I think if they start selling Yanmars here again and I can afford one, I am going to buy a New Holland instead!

michigandon · Mar 21, 2006

The latest trend that I've notciced on "da Bay" is fewer Yanmars for sale and a LOT more "Zen Nohs" and even a few familiar looking No Name Brand Tractors. Hmmm. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Tractors4u · Mar 21, 2006

Here is what has been happening. These Yanmars were sold new by Yanmar of Japan. Then they were brought in to the United States. There have been injuries and a couple of deaths associated with the use of these Japanese model Yanmars. Then the lawsuits get directed at Yanmar of America, not Japan. Yanmar of America had nothing to do with these grey market versions and want nothing to do with the lawsuits. Yanmar of America says that using the name Yanmar or any likeness of a Yanmar tractor is trademark infringement. Wayne, LMTC, may want to comment here if I have mis-spoken.

greatrandini · Mar 21, 2006

I know about all that. The old Wallace case and all. I still don't see trademark infringement if a gray market tractror is sold as a used gray market tractor. I don't have the money or power to make my opinion matter. If I did I doubt if I would even care about it. I just don't think that they are legally correct in stopping these sales on Ebay. It is not illegal to sell these used tractors from Japan in the USA so I don't see how they legally stop the sales on Ebay. How's your Deere running by the way. See ya!

Tractors4u · Mar 21, 2006

The Deere is running good, 272 hours in 2 years.

Turbys_1700 · Mar 21, 2006

Yanmar's are still listed with Traderonline. I wonder if Yanmar will try to stop that?

greatrandini · Mar 21, 2006

U get more seat then me. I drug my 6 acre pasture with my little 4 foot chain harrow last week. I hooked up this little broadcast spreader I bought for $50.00. It is an old box shaped 3pt spreader with a hinged lid. It holds about 25 lbs of grass seed. I use a stiff straight radiator hose for the drive line. (thats what the old guy used for 30 years before me so I went with it) it worked great. I pull the drag about 8 ft behind the Yanny and run the spreader over less dense areas. My idea of a grass planter. Way fun....

greatrandini · Mar 21, 2006

I bet they try if they know about it. I had never heared of them! i will check it out....

HTP · Apr 8, 2006

How do you know if a Yanmar is a grey mkt tractor? Ive found a guy who has 4 different 4wr models for sale at reasonable prices. Are these tractors any good? The models were YM 2610D, YM3110D,FX265D, and FX 28D. Anyone have any advice as to which models are the best value or that I should stay away from?

Thanks H

LMTC · Apr 8, 2006

The simple answer is one you probably don't want..go to a credible dealer with a good reputation. There you will get honest information. Yes, you will probably pay a bit more than on ebay or from an auction...it costs money to actually run a real business where you fix things for customers and do other stuff like that. But you will have an ongoing resource for any problems or questions you have, and you will likely have a better machine as well. ALWAYS ask for references, recent and old. Ebay feedback fails in this area, as buyers cannot give feedback a year later.

scrinch · Apr 9, 2006

All four of these models are gray market. All YM(+4 digit) models, F(+2 or 3 digit) models, and FX(+2 or 3 digit) models are made for the Japanese market. Only the YM(+3 digit) models were made for the US market and therefore aren't gray market.

HTP · Apr 9, 2006

Does that make them bad tractors? This seller isnt on ebay by the way he seems like a reputable seller of used tractors.
Can anyone tell me if there are pluses or minuses to any of these models? (YM2610D, YM3110D, FX 265D, and FX28D)
Thanks - the tractor is for 120 acre hunting farm I have.
H

LMTC · Apr 9, 2006

( This seller isnt on ebay by the way )
It's easy to understand why we all assumed that since you posted on a thread titled "Yanmar tractors and Ebay".

( he seems like a reputable seller of used tractors )
What is your criteria for this? Have you communicated with his references? If they have been positive, why not address these questions to him? If they have not, why does he continue to seem reputable to you?

The point is....while the online forums can be a great source of collective information, any one piece must be evaluated like anything else, and here you seldom really know the source(s). Thus the inherent advantage of a real-life dealer. If you don't think you can trust the dealer/seller, then you really should not consider buying a tractor from him. There are too many dealers around who do it right, who will give you references, who you will know from the outset will stand behind their product.