Crazy sounding strategy

[Propdoc]

I've recently heard of a LCO who buys a cheap riding mower at the beginning of the season and sales it(gets rid of it) at the end. Then the following season starts all over again with a new cheap mower. He claims he makes a great deal of money like this because he doesn't have much overhead. I've been doing the math over and over in my head and it just doesn't add up. Does anyone else know of this system or one like it?

[Albemarle Lawn]

Instead of $950.00 John Deere push mower buy cheap ones and resell them. Just the parts upkeep on my Deere is about $100/year because blade engagement plastic knob always breaks.

But, I have only heard of this with push mowers as a part of a larger operation. I think Murray and Crapsman are too slow to make any money with.

Ken

[kutnkru]

I know of many people who do just this sort of thing. They will buy a 36 for $2500 and sell it for $1800 at the end of the season. Then turn right around the very next and do it all over again.

[stslawncare]

i know people who buy something for cheap, fix it for cheap, and sell it for alot, but never heard of what u talking about

[cantoo]

I do this with products I want to try out. I buy them and use them, if I don't like them I sell them. I also buy and sell stuff from Auction sales. I go to 4 or more sales per month. Sometimes you can get very good deals, sometimes you can get very bad deals. Buyer beware.
I still have my good equipment for front line use and most of this stuff is just for playing and making money selling.

[David Gretzmier]

I knew a gentleman that bought a new commercial rig every year with cash, and traded in the one from the previous year. It was a toro rider, and he saved his pennies every year and paid the difference in the spring. he used it commercially, got a new rider every year, Knew what his depreciation was every year, ( what he paid in cash) and some homeowner got a good used rig that had some life left in it. not too bad of a deal. This plan would be perfect for a rig you love but only lasts 2 years or so. Dave g

[captdevo]

there are a few guys around here that do that with the local sears retailer.........you can easily tell their properties!! Very professional


Albemarle Lawn,

parts upkeep on my Deere is about $100/year because blade engagement plastic knob always breaks

it sounds like your electric clutch is bad, or you've got a chaffed wire or a bad ground.

i've had this problem with a couple of Deere's that had the pull-out PTO switch, i even contacted the switch maker and they sent me 3 new ones and then i finally tracked it down to a faulty clutch.

[Propdoc]

That wouldn't be just a bit of sarcasm would it? Honestly I don't see how someone could put their faith and reputation in equipment like that with so many other LCOs using commercial equipment that I assume will give better results. But hey, if it works then don't fix it. Thanks for the reply guys.

[cos]

I will never buy a $450 lawnboy ever again. I will buy a cheap push mower at a yard sale or something if I ever had to. I never would get the $450 out of it and feel hell, if it don't last then I didn't lose much.

[Barkleymut]

Your right COS, I just bought a $150 Murray push mower. It doesn't have quite the power my Lawnboy had but it didn't cost $400 either. If I can get 2 years out of it I'll be happy. It also has a better cut and better bagging system.

[Ric]

How many of you have seen the guy that buys a mower from home cheapo uses it haft a season and returns it for full purchase price and goes across the street and does the same thing to K mart for the other haft season. I have seen this or had guys tell me they do it all the time. The home owner who buys hedgetrimmers to cut his bushes then returns them for a full refund. I have bought some of the returned commical Equip my self at haft price. I couldn't sleep being a returner but it sure helps the bottom line if you have no equipment expense. My .02

[Propdoc]

I've heard that this is a real problem at Wal-Mart.

[cantoo]

I had to do this twice at Home Depot, both were the Scott's 20 hp's made by MTD before John Deere built them. One had 37 hrs on it the other had 97 on it when it went back. The things were just falling apart, no way were they even going to last one whole season. Bit the bullet over the winter and bought my first new Walker and have never looked back.