Skid Steer Resale Value

[GVHALL]

I'm trying to get a handle on reasonable values for used machines by watching all Craig'sList entries from all over the country. From what I've seen, the New England area and the southeast areas of the country are the majority of "for sales" and used skid steer prices seem to be lower than other areas. Every machine seems to be "low hours" whether 500 hours or 4000 hours, and none seem to have mechanical issues, at least at the time the ad is put out there.
Are there any general rules of thumb as to establishing a resale value for skid steers, or is it simply what the market will bear and let the buyer beware? Gary

 

[Stevenbrla]

When I sell ANYTHING, I try to get the most the market will bear. That goes for the product and services I sell daily, or the rare equipment sale. I'm pretty sure my potential buyers don't expect me to make sure they get absolute lowest price for the best product.

Of course it goes both ways, right?

If I'm selling a product that might be going bad, or haven't made a sale recently, the smart buyer should delve in a little and see just how hungry I am. (See how much machine the market will bear for his given budget.)

The seller doesn't care what a skidsteer is selling for across the country (unless they're way higher there)... he only cares about how much he can get out of the machine, period. HIs market is probably mostly local...

In general, when buying anything, especially something... well, anything... remember that the seller pretty much has one goal in mind. Remind yourself what that goal is, and realize that if your goal is to buy the best at the lowest possible price, your goal and his goal are in direct conflict. If saying "low hours" and being able to display (even briefly) that everything mechanically works... then this helps resolve the conflict, eh?

Just guessing.... you looking to buy a skid steer? (I'm guessing if you were selling, this max market price would come more naturally to you.)

 

[frogfarmer]

If you have no experience with the type of equipment you will purchase a dealer can be an invaluable resource. The dealers can show you past sales and give you real world prices for your region. The dealers also have a shop to repair and inspect their used machines. Also the dealers may have complete service records and history for a particular machine. An inexperienced buyer can be bitten by all kinds of problems if they deal with a less than reputable seller. Some models and series of a particular model were very problematic and should bring a much lower price but a buyer who found this out too late will try to pass their bad luck on to the next buyer.

 

[John C.]

On Craig's list you are only getting asking prices which don't mean anything. You need to find realized sales and the best place for that is MachinerTrader.com. They have a searchable data base of the last two years of auction sales covering a good part of the planet. They also are a great place to search asking prices.

I like to find the ranges of sales and then adjust for condition after I've looked at the machine.

 

[KSSS]

On Craig's list you are only getting asking prices which don't mean anything. You need to find realized sales and the best place for that is MachinerTrader.com. They have a searchable data base of the last two years of auction sales covering a good part of the planet. They also are a great place to search asking prices.

I like to find the ranges of sales and then adjust for condition after I've looked at the machine.

Ritchie Bros also has a similiar search function on their website to get auction results.

I would not rely on Craigs list or ebay to find the pulse of what things truly go for.

 

[powerjoke]

If you have no experience with the type of equipment you will purchase a dealer can be an invaluable resource. The dealers can show you past sales and give you real world prices for your region. The dealers also have a shop to repair and inspect their used machines. Also the dealers may have complete service records and history for a particular machine. An inexperienced buyer can be bitten by all kinds of problems if they deal with a less than reputable seller. Some models and series of a particular model were very problematic and should bring a much lower price but a buyer who found this out too late will try to pass their bad luck on to the next buyer.

lol, yeah and we all know that dealers are upstanding and trustworthy.

OP, i agree with John and KSSS, check out auction results and get an average, you can always go to the auction and pick one up if you get in a rush for one.

Pj

 

[diggerdave1958]

I have always found that Auction Results are the best way to get a idea of what a machine is worth, that is the price someone was willing to pay for that machine that day. Hope that make some sense,