Unfounded Prices

[KC9KAS 4,741]

We were on a motorcycle ride today, and as always, I try to scan for WH's along the highways.

My wife actually notice one along the way, and said we would stop on the way back home.

 

I know the guy that has the WH, and he also has an "Antique" shop. I have looked at his "stock" of goodies over the years and I really never see much sold...only "collected" and rust to pieces on his property.

 

We stop later in the day and I check out the WH. It is a Charger 12 with the correct 12 hp Kohler engine. It does have a mowing deck, but has a lot of welding/patches on it. The seat looked as thought it came out of a Mack truck, and the tires were original with  Wheel Horse on them. They held air, but were rough shape. The throttle and choke cables were cobbled up.

 

It looked as though it has spent most of its life outside, so I walk (wiggle through the junk) to talk to the guy. I am thinking he will say, "make me an offer", so I figure it might be a $100 tractor, not knowing if it runs or not.

 

So I ask, "what are you asking the the Charger 12" and witihout batting an eye he said $400!

 

I said, "Well, that is a little too rich for my blood, as I have bought much better GT's for a lot less". He said, "Have a good day" as I left!

 

Another case of someone watching too much PAWN STAR'S on TV!

I guess his prices are why he never sells anything!

Edited September 15, 2013 by KC9KAS

[JimD 3,345]

It sounds like you knew what the outcome would be before you even stopped. You must have had some time to kill.

[squonk 41,017]

These " made for TV " shows have screwed everything up. Big flea market last weekend and prices were nuts on junk. If rust was really worth so much I would have been saving it for years for today's market

[AMC RULES 37,127]

So, does it make any sense to restore these things...  

when you can't seem to get back half of what you put into it? 

[ol550 830]

So, does it make any sense to restore these things...  

when you can't seem to get back half of what you put into it? 

 

It makes sense every time I show mine and someone stops by to talk Horses. Some

remember ones they have had or still have and others that have never heard of them.

[Irv 115]

Yes, a lot of folks out there think their junk is gold but if you're patient enough, good buys show up now and then. As far as restoring them, I view that as something of a labor of love for personal satisfaction and enjoyment, not to try to resell for profit because I doubt if you add up the time, effort and cost of restoring you would be very likely to be making much if any money. If I'm buying one that I think I'll resell someday i just do the necessay things to get it running right and looking decent.

[Hodge71 664]

So, does it make any sense to restore these things...  

when you can't seem to get back half of what you put into it? 

 

 

Thats a great question Craig. I have a young punk  by me thats had a 701 for sale for 2 years now. No attachments, it was spray bombed very very shoddily, has no battery and he wants $700 for it. It has sat outside the whole time chained to a telephone pole along Rt 93. I stopped and talked to him about it 2 years ago in June about it and he was telling me how special it is. Its only made 1 year, yadda yadda yadda. The whole schpiel ( and it wouldnt start to top it off). Well now he has it on Craigslist.  So about 2 weeks ago I called  thinking the price had it have dropped by now. Gives me the same story as 2 years ago, tells me $700 again so I let him know I heard the same story from him in 2011. He cant understand why 20 or 30 people looked at it or called about it but nobody bought it....hmmmm wonder why???? I ask if he ever put a battery in it and got it running......wait for it............"No I didn't. I'm not puttin any money into this if guys like you are gonna get a special tractor for cheap and screw me." I said Dude do you think that maybe nobody buys it because  A. It doesnt start or run, and B. You're out of your ever loving mind to think that you'll sell that machine for $700 with a spray bomb paint job and it doesnt run. I mean if you're gonna paint something take the time to mask it and do a decent job at least.

[Shynon 7,459]

I hear you. I went to look at a WT244 tiller, not sure if it ran or not, it was complete with hitch. $300 and he wasn't going to budge. And looking around I don't think he ever sells anything. Gate at the front of the property.

[953 nut 55,045]

  At least where you live there are a few   along the roadside to look at, in the mountains of NC most folks don't know what one is. Every   collector I have talked to here has had to go hundreds of miles to buy one and hope it is as good as they were told.  

 

 

  

[Lagersolut 648]

Yep, I can echo the same - was on Craigs list and E bay today , just nosing around,  not looking for or at anything in particular,  same thing - the shabby paint jobs I won't even bother with - I'd rather have it in surface rust over some dollar store paint put on all over the tires - decals painted over  - rubber and plastic grips painted over etc etc .....

 

Then they advertise it " newly painted " ....yea OK  - I've decided I'm not touching one of those and cleaning up their mess for one ....and two , most of them  think it adds $1000  of value to the thing and they can't be reasoned with anyhow.

 

I found one couple few months ago ( forget the model ) - dash plate - shifter knobs ( 8 speed ) - PTO handle - throttle and choke - everything painted red - no decals- seat tore -   advertised as newly restored  1500 bucks

[Wheel-N-It 2,968]

So, does it make any sense to restore these things...  

when you can't seem to get back half of what you put into it? 

I'd like to think it does if we restore them to work and earn their keep. And yes it makes sense to restore one to love, and take to the tractor shows. But to buy one for $500, then spend $400 to make it nice, shortly thereafter turn around and sell it for $500 then two weeks later do the very same thing again , NO it does not make sense...............................especially if its done over and over and over hoping for different results. I think that would be called "insanity" by most folks, but for us regarding Wheel Horses I'm leaning more towards thats kinda normal...................

Maybe thats why we all congregate here?

[SPINJIM 1,981]

Yep, I've seen the same thing in SE Penna.   Everyone thinks their rust is gold.   The same thing is happening to some parts on ebay.   Someone has a headlight and lens cover on ebay now for $260.   I've paid less than that for a complete tractor with a good headlight included.   

 

I've reconsidered using my 'parts tractors' for just parts.  Think I'll fix them up instead, and see if I can get $2000 for them.    

   Jim

[bean 85]

I've been watching prices, and find ebay deals  are better than cl in my area.  but, only on wheel horse items .

there is someone close to me that has listed the same tractor on cl  ,EVERY DAY, for the last 5-6 months. he finally dropped the price $25 a few weeks ago. it is still priced at 2 times what it is worth. I am curious to see if it ever sells.

[groundhog47 347]

So, does it make any sense to restore these things...  

when you can't seem to get back half of what you put into it? 

I would say yes, you know when you finish , look at your work, and smile to your self, money can't but that feeling, close to buyin' yes. Of course I'm not speaking for my work, money can't buy it as they don't make that small a denomination!!

Edited September 17, 2013 by groundhog47

[DoctorHfuhruhurr 137]

Once he kicks the bucket his relatives will be giving it away for free or at bargain basement prices.   

[jaebo74 7]

I see this 80's model Ford mower sitting everyday. I stopped and asked today if he had it for sale. The shop (read junk store) proprietor proceeds to tell me that he can't get it to run. He says he'll sell it for what he has just in the engine work... Wait for it.... the conservative amount of $710, " that's all I need" he says. I said " I guess I'll have to pass". Then he proceeds to tell me about 2 or 3 that he had seen on fleabay for upwards of $4000. I told him to have a nice day and that Craigslist had 6 running right now for around $300. He ran me out of the store. I don't understand either guys, I believe it may be something in water supply making people brain dead.

Edited September 18, 2013 by jaebo74

[AMC RULES 37,127]

You ran out, or he ran you out?     

[jaebo74 7]

You ran out, or he ran you out?     

 

He asked me to leave.

[Trouty56 565]

I really don't see what it matters what someone wants to sell something for.....there are still deals out there...better find them cause if nobody buys these things they will be in parts...and then in the junk yard....

[welderman85 53]

I have a sad story about them ending up in the junk a kid I work with had a friend that's grandma passed he said she had some wheel horse stuff so I asked some questions it turned ot to be a rj with sickle bar and a c 101 with a tiller blower and deck at first he wanted it to sell it all so I showed up with trailer and cash. When I got there he started talking about pullers and decided to keep the tractors I just herd two days ago he scraped it all he took it all apart then needed cash. All the stuff was mint and barn kept. I found out where it went but they wouldn't sell it back so off to china it went. Me and that kid had a very bad phone conversation after that before i left his house the first time i left my number and said I'll pay cash for what ever he didn't want and never got a call

Edited September 18, 2013 by welderman85