A HELPFUL GUIDE TO FARM EQUIPMENT PURCHASING
If you’re in the market for new farm tools and equipment, you may be feeling a bit overwhelmed. Purchasing new equipment can be really exciting, but there are lots of factors to take into consideration, and if you’re an inexperienced buyer, you might not even know where to begin. This week’s Richmond Brothers Equipment blog post discusses some important dos and don’ts when it comes time to start shopping.
Richmond Brothers Equipment has been a leader in the farm tools and equipment industry for decades. We’ve conducted thorough research and market trials to help us create the highest quality, most reliable tillage tools and disc rippers available. Whether you need Ripper Points, Shank Savers, Field Cultivators, or anything in between, you’ll find it here at Richmond Brothers Equipment! Read this week’s blog post to learn more about the dos and don’t of purchasing new farm tools and equipment and reach out to our experienced team in Bay Port today!
DO’S
Before you purchase any type of farm tools and equipment from your local farm equipment dealer, make sure to follow these important tips.
BUY FROM A REPUTABLE SELLER
When purchasing farm tools and equipment, one of the most important things to consider is the farm equipment dealer you’re buying from. Always ensure that the farm equipment dealer you’re looking into is a reputable one. It should only take a few minutes of research to determine whether a farm equipment dealer is reputable or not.
Look into things such as:
- Public company records –– Be sure that the company you choose has a long history and a large customer base. You may not be able to find specific information about the number of customers they have served, but they should have more than a few years of experience and should be well-established in the community.
- Reviews –– A reputable farm equipment dealer will have positive online reviews. Some great places to start are Google or Facebook, because these reviews cannot be edited by the shop owner or employees after they are posted.
- Testimonials –– Oftentimes, if customers have an exceptional experience with a farm equipment dealer, they will share their testimonial. Some dealers may post this information on their website, but if not, call your farm equipment dealer and ask if they can provide you some contact information from recent customers so you can get in touch and hear more about their experience.
ENSURE BIG MACHINERY HAS A CLEAR TITLE
When purchasing big machinery, it’s critical to ensure that each piece of equipment has a clear title. If you buy a title that isn’t clear or a title that has a lien applied, you may be forced to forfeit ownership of the equipment to a lending institution, which can cost you unnecessary time and money.
LEAVE A PAYMENT TRAIL
If you are purchasing farm tools and equipment online or from a private seller, be sure to always create a payment trail, so that you can have some piece of evidence if the piece of equipment arrives in a condition other than that specified by the seller, or if it doesn’t arrive at all.
Before you finalize each purchase you make, be sure to ask for a receipt, invoice, or some other type of documentation that names you as the owner of the piece of equipment. If you can, avoid paying in cash, and instead paying using a certified check so you will have a guaranteed paper trail.
COMPARE YOUR OPTIONS
There are many options when it comes to farm equipment dealers and different types of tools and machinery. When you’re in the process of shopping for your tools and equipment, be sure to conduct a thorough comparison of all your options.
Consider factors such as:
- Price
- Brand
- Purpose
- Quality
- Availability
- Condition
It can be helpful to make charts or lists to differentiate between different types of equipment and their attributes.
PREPARE TO NEGOTIATE
Farm tools and equipment can be expensive. Before you enter into a discussion with a farm tools and equipment dealer, you should be prepared to negotiate to come to a price that’s fair for both parties, if possible. Understand that you may not get the exact price that you’re aiming for, but oftentimes you can work with the dealer to bring it down from the sticker price.
DON’TS
Now that we’ve covered what you should do, let’s talk about things you should definitely avoid doing when purchasing your new farm tools and equipment.
GET IMPATIENT
If you’re in a hurry to get farm tools and equipment, it can be tempting to settle for the first piece of equipment you find. However, you should always conduct a thorough search and find at least a couple of suitable options to select from, rather than setting sights on just one when you become impatient.
We recommend getting ahead and starting your search early so you’re never in a position to have to settle for the first thing you see.
BUY ANYTHING SIGHT UNSEEN
Before purchasing any piece of farm equipment, you’ll want to make sure you take a look. For smaller tillage tools, a picture on the internet should be sufficient, especially if the tools are new.
For larger agricultural machinery, however, we recommend going to see the equipment in-person and conducting an inspection to ensure it’s in working order and has no severe damage.
PURCHASE WITH INSUFFICIENT INFORMATION
When you see a listing for farm tools or equipment online, you may think it’s best to jump on the chance before it’s too late. However, it’s important to avoid making any hasty decisions if you don’t have enough information. Consider factors such as price, current condition, title, mileage, etc.
AVOID DOING RESEARCH
Before you begin shopping for farm tools and equipment, you’ll want to do some in-depth research. First, determine your needs and the type of farm tools and equipment you’re going to need. Then start narrowing down your brand choices and what will work for you.
FORGET TO SET A BUDGET
After you’ve done some industry research and you figure out what types of farm tools and equipment would best suit you, your next step should be to set a budget. This number doesn’t have to be set in stone, but you should at least create a range in which you’d be willing to settle.
RELY ON RICHMOND BROTHERS EQUIPMENT FOR ALL YOUR NEEDS
At Richmond Brothers Equipment, we understand that purchasing farm tools and equipment can feel a bit overwhelming. We hope you’ve found these tips helpful and we’re here to answer any questions you may have.
We have the knowledge, skills, and experience necessary to help you find farm tools and equipment that best suit your farm. Contact our team in Bay Port to get started today!
