Tips for Buying Farm Equipment
The right farm equipment can make a world of difference. They help you work smarter, not harder, by boosting your efficiency. But it comes at a cost - a high financial investment. Sure you can earn it back tenfold, but only if you make the right purchase. We created the following guide to buying quality farm equipment below. If you have any questions or want to scope out equipment, visit FMI Equipment. You'll find us in Spokane, Washington.
Find a Trustworthy Seller
Choosing a quality seller is just as important as choosing quality farm equipment! When you shop for landscape equipment, there's a lot of money on the table. Unfortunately, that piques the interest of plenty of shady dealers or questionable individual sellers. They are looking to make a quick buck with a deceptive sale. You need to be on your guard against this. If it looks too good to be true, it probably is.
Your best bet is to begin your search with local dealers with strong reputations. Use public records and reviews to do some sleuthing. Are people reporting fair dealings, quality equipment, and positive customer service experiences? Find a spot with glowing reviews to increase your odds of a good deal.
Research
When you know what you're looking for, it's easier to find it! You'll want to start your shopping process by pinpointing what you need from your farm equipment. Are there certain features that'll make your life easier? Do you need a certain range of specs to get the job done? Make a list of "must-haves" so you know what your deal breakers are. This makes it easier to weed out landscape equipment with appealing prices that don't deliver what you need.
After you start finding options that could fit your needs, you'll want to research them heavily. Information is power after all! The more you know about the given farm equipment, the more you'll be able to judge if you're getting a fair deal. Ask for all relevant information or documentation. Get the PIN or VIN so you can verify the documentation you get. If you go through a financing company, they often conduct their own research. You can use that to back you up, but you'll still want to do your own thorough research. Look for any red flags that the landscape equipment isn't as good as it seems. The proper research can save you from getting bamboozled.
Inspect the Equipment
If you are buying used farm equipment, it's important to inspect it. The machinery has already seen some action, which means there's the chance of a hidden mechanical issue that'll cost you money down the road. If you don't feel equipped to inspect it, you can always bring along someone who is. A friend, neighbor, or even professional inspector can catch things you'd miss and keep you from making a poor deal.
When you inspect the equipment, look for any red flags. Test everything you can and make sure it's in good working order. If there are big discrepancies between what was described and what you see before you, you should be wary too. Incomplete or lacking documentation is also cause for concern. As you inspect, listen to your gut. If something feels off, it probably is. On the other hand, if everything is checking out well, you may have just found your newest piece of equipment!
Ready to look at farm equipment? Visit FMI Equipment. We offer a range of inventory from tractors to attachments to chippers. Whatever landscape equipment you need, you can find it with us! We also rent equipment if you only need something for a short-term project. We are located in Spokane, Washington near Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. We proudly serve all of Spokane Valley, Eastern Washington, and Northern Idaho.