"Backyarders" and where to buy used equipment

[GearHead36]

I learned something from Taryl today. In a recent video, he had a riding mower from a customer who bought it from a "backyarder" as he called them. Which is, someone who flips mowers in their back yard. That mower was a basket case. It needed a LOT of work. It looked like it had been fixed just enough to get it to run just long enough to sell it. I really thought that "backyarders" were a good place to get a used mower, and I've directed buyers toward places like this. Taryl had another mower that came from an auction, and it needed a lot of work, too. I have no delusions about auction machinery, though. My Pro Z came from an auction, and I knew it was a basket case when I bought it.

I won't be sending buyers to "backyarders" any more. I'm not a big fan of OPE dealerships either. I've been burned by them, too. I'm able to fix up machinery, so I don't get burned by hidden problems on OPE. But for people who don't know how to repair OPE, and are looking for a good used machine, where do you guys send them?

 

[ILENGINE]

At least in my area the backyarders and the stuff at the auctions all have the same issues. For what they are selling at and what it takes to repair them are not cost effective. No money left in profit to flip.

Example. JD Z950A sold at auction last month near me. Description was needs new motor. No indication of hours, and battery was dead. But otherwise looked in good shape. Other than engine area was buried in dead material so most likely never been blown out or cleaned. This mower has the Kawasaki FX850 in it. This mower from other auction research is selling for around $4200 in running condition. Sold for $1600.

 

[bartles]

Its the old "buy low sell high" formula. I do as much pre buy testing as possible...cylinder leak down, condition of the deck from the blade side, leaking seals, pulley check, before I make a counter offer. Parts prices have skyrocketed in recent years so I price out parts prior to making a counter offer........I don't fall in love with one nor do I get in a hurry. And......I expect to get burnt about half the time.