Buying a Still Crated 2023 Model

[Capegrass]

I’m interested in buying a TS148XK Husqvarna riding mower. I found a dealer who has one, my concern is this mower has been sitting crated in his warehouse since 2023 and he says it was factory assembled in 2022. I’m concerned it’s not a “new mower” in that it’s been sitting for so long. He’s offering $200 off as an incentive. Any thoughts about issues that it’s been sitting for so long? Thank you.

 

[ILENGINE]

Lawnmowers are not like cars that have a model year. It will still carry the full factory warranty, and unless it has been sitting in a damp warehouse rusting I wouldn't be too concerned. I installed a go-cart engine for a customer last year, that had been sitting on my shelf for close to 20 years. It started the first couple of pulls, and it still running flawless.

 

[Tiger Small Engine]

I’m interested in buying a TS148XK Husqvarna riding mower. I found a dealer who has one, my concern is this mower has been sitting crated in his warehouse since 2023 and he says it was factory assembled in 2022. I’m concerned it’s not a “new mower” in that it’s been sitting for so long. He’s offering $200 off as an incentive. Any thoughts about issues that it’s been sitting for so long? Thank you.

That is only about 10% of of full retail. Ask for a larger discount because he hasn’t sold it and it is just sitting there gathering dust.

 

[ILENGINE]

That is only about 10% of of full retail. Ask for a larger discount because he hasn’t sold it and it is just sitting there gathering dust.

I can tell you have never dealt with the wholegoods side of OPE repair. The thinking that dealers are making a killing on selling wholegoods needs to end. I would suspect that the dealer cost off of retail is in the 7-10% range. So that $200 discount may put that mower at dealer cost or maybe even slightly below.

When Makita ended the gas power equipment line of products, The dealer markup from cost was 5%, unless you were doing over $15K in sales a year then you were entitled to 7-10% And in some cases the markup from dealer cost to MAP was a large profit margin of a $1.

 

[Ozcub]

What price was it in 2022 and ask for $200.00 of that
He would have paid for it in 2022 dollars so should you
Oz

 

[sgkent]

for the record, make 1000% sure that the warranty will not be affected. Many times I have bought something one or two years old new and the manufacturer refused to honor the warranty because of the manufacturing date. New to you does not mean new to the manufacturer unless they expressly say it. And, a "dealer" guarantee to service it does not mean another factory dealer will honor that.

 

[Tiger Small Engine]

I can tell you have never dealt with the wholegoods side of OPE repair. The thinking that dealers are making a killing on selling wholegoods needs to end. I would suspect that the dealer cost off of retail is in the 7-10% range. So that $200 discount may put that mower at dealer cost or maybe even slightly below.

When Makita ended the gas power equipment line of products, The dealer markup from cost was 5%, unless you were doing over $15K in sales a year then you were entitled to 7-10% And in some cases the markup from dealer cost to MAP was a large profit margin of a $1.

If the gross profit margins are that small, then I would not even bother selling the equipment. Making 5%-%10 gross is laughable.

 

[ILENGINE]

If the gross profit margins are that small, then I would not even bother selling the equipment. Making 5%-%10 gross is laughable.

Welcome to wholegoods, The 25% profit margin of years ago no longer exist. Replaced with smaller and smaller profits. I haven't talked to a dealer recently but at one time the Stihl 017 which has since been replaced with the MS171 had a awesome profit margin of $6.

A few years ago my Poulan Pro distributor had a dealer program for wholegoods, that included saws, trimmers, riders and ZTR's. On the surface the profit margins were decent but not great. But with further checking also found that the local Rural King was selling the same products for $200 below my dealer cost. So my inquiry ended with that knowledge.

 

[BudTugley]

Most of the mowers on dealer showrooms right now (April 2025) were made in 2024, along with a few 2023 and 2025. Some of those 2023's being received this year.

Manufacturers produce in large batches to reduce cost. Less organized manufacturers may have already shipped newer mowers and then the next shipment may be older. As long as the model # has not changed (with an updated design) then they consider them all the same.

Warranty starts the day it is retailed.

My main concern would be how it was stored. If it was in a dry warehouse, then I would have no concern at all.

As for a discount, if the dealer bought it 2 years ago then they probably paid less than current cost. They also may have had their money tied up paying some interest.

Typical dealer margins are high single digits to barely double digits. It's a tough business, made even tougher by customers buying at big box stores and then asking the local dealer to solve their problems.

 

[Honest Abe]

I’m interested in buying a TS148XK Husqvarna riding mower. I found a dealer who has one, my concern is this mower has been sitting crated in his warehouse since 2023 and he says it was factory assembled in 2022. I’m concerned it’s not a “new mower” in that it’s been sitting for so long. He’s offering $200 off as an incentive. Any thoughts about issues that it’s been sitting for so long? Thank you.

you could probably get a brand new one for $2,600; so, I wouldn't go more than $2,100. If you decided to trade it back soon after or sell it privately it's NOW 3 years old.

changed that 7 to a 3 - - - edited due to malfunctioning fingers...