71 wheelhorse workhorse

[Larryr 0]

To All Critics !

I have a 1971 Wheel Horse mod.# 1-0100 That I 've tried to sell on ebay recently and it did not sell $ 350.00 good condition nice deck ! It did not sell and I'am asking for opinions as to why a vintage riding mower would not sell for this price? is it because of the year, engine size ! Is it not very collectible ? I hate to tear it apart and sell it for parts when it is in such good condition and being a complete tractor !

Thanks to all

Larryr

[Ken B 3,189]

Did you start your auction at 350.00? It seems that sometimes when you start an auction off at a higher price it scares off the bidders. Try starting it off lower and see if you get any bites. Sometimes it takes a few bidders to get the ball rolling. I don't think the supply is real high in your area, maybe at this time of year the demand is a little low. If it runs and cuts well 350.00 seems reasonable.

[Larryr 0]

I started it off at $ 250.00

Did you start your auction at 350.00? It seems that sometimes when you start an auction off at a higher price it scares off the bidders. Try starting it off lower and see if you get any bites. Sometimes it takes a few bidders to get the ball rolling. I don't think the supply is real high in your area, maybe at this time of year the demand is a little low. If it runs and cuts well 350.00 seems reasonable.

[ba2988 28]

I had watched that auction, I'm always looking here in NC because Wheel Horses don't come up for sale very often. If I were you I would try to use different pictures - make sure they are clear and show a lot of detail. The other pictures that were used in your auction showed on screen just a little bit bigger than a postage stamp.

[fourwheels0 191]

i agree good pictures sell.

pull it out and clean it up and with good clear pics and it will sell.

as long as it runs and cuts good it shouldn't be a problem.

[Rollerman 290]

Agreed on the pictures, the one at the top with the pile of leaves around it gives it the apperance of not being taken care of.

As the above posters have said, clean it up, get good pics that will show it off minus any clutter.

[jay in nc 210]

i too saw the tractor on cl. & e-bay and first impressions didnt impress me much. take it out on the lawn so it at least looks like its a runner. take pictures of both sides. and tell what kind of engine it has. isnt a workhorse 800 a briggs? good luck

[AMC RULES 37,196]

Smart move asking advise, good luck with your auction. :twocents-mytwocents:

[Dockfishin 51]

It should have the Tecumseh engine on it, that scares some people as they prefer kohlers, the aftermarket muffler isn't a help and the pic hurts for sure on bidders interest. And middle of winter the attachment you'd want is a snowblower a mower deck isn't on a lot of minds right now, not that it can't be just not like it will be in the spring. I sold the same model with a snowblower and deck in a little cleaner condition paint etc. and original muffler etc.. I put a video of it running on the listing and it sold for $450 last winter. Give clear details, good pics not just where it happens to be sitting and put the pics up you'd look for if you were interested and larger pics with detailed views. If it's a runner I highly suggest a video of it running it helps buyers see the machine in action so to speak. The best advice is to be upfront about any issues or things buyers want to know good or bad, it all comes out in the end and you don't want someone to have a reason to back out of the deal and possibly leave negative feedback. Most people buying these unrestored tractors expect some defects and when it's not listed or shown in pictures it's a warning sign.

I think 350 Is a reasonable price to hope to get but wouldn't count on it in the middle of winter with only a mowing deck attachment and that particular tractor. With pick up on large items it takes buyers close enough to bid and come pick up not just what willing to pay delivered to there door. That limits the prospective buyers quite a lot.

Things to include in listing at least a few things off the top of my head,

Engine maker, hp running condition, smoke or not, burn oil? leak oil?

transmission, fluid condition, shift into gears smooth, all gears work fine etc...

all body panel conditions, note dents paint fade etc...

tires, hold air? tread life? dry cracking?

Mowing deck any holes patches, quiet?

and it can go on and on, more you add the better and the more it comes off as trying to supply all the info on the tractor.

They don't charge by the word so pack it full of good info, Too many people list something and think stating it's "tractor model so and so" or even just saying it runs and mows and that's enough when it's not most of the time. If it doesn't sell on ebay if listed again I'd try craigslist then you get the local crowd

Good luck with the sale!

[Kelly 1,033]

Very good info Tom, I agree 100%

[Larryr 0]

Thanks guys for all the good info ! Some of the things mentioned is a problem as I'am a amputee and can not get around good,sure could use some help when it comes to those issues !

Thanks again

Larryr

[SPINJIM 1,986]

Many collectors know the "Workhorse" as the vertical shaft mower, often with a Briggs engine, and the gray paint job. I wouldn't even bother looking at the pictures if you listed it on CL the same way you did on this forum. I'd polish up the sheet metal, and take new pictures, and lose the "Workhorse" wording in your listing. The $350 sounds reasonable if it runs well, and be willing to take $300. If you were closer, I'd come take a look at it. Good luck.

Jim

[546cowboy 302]

I personally start all the stuff I put on Ebay at the least I will take for it. If you start one too low that's probably what you'll get for it and lose your investment. I also only put it up for three days (gives it enough time to be seen by serious buyers) since I have noticed that usually you won't get bids until the last minute unless you do start it real low. I have also noticed that you rarely get bids if you set a reserve. The only way I would do a reserve is to set a Buy Now price. It gives people a price range to consider.

[jay in nc 210]

well i went down to the sandhills of nc. south of fayetteville to see this tractor. the pictures did not do it justice it has brand new carlile front tires,new drive,mule drive& mower belts, came with a cd manual and a n.o.s. headlight lense. the tecky turned over but no start. shocked me checking for spark so ign. was ok. the bad the 36in rd deck has a hole cut into it & a discharge chute welded to it. needs a seat & new paint. it has a spring loaded mule drive that looks funky but works well. had a very nice visit with larry & his wife & they are coming to my meet & greet april 28. needless to say the workhorse followed me home. got the tecky running in 15 min. but carb needs de varneshed the choke &throtle are reversed & it needs a shift boot but all are minor issues. to dockfishing where this tractor was located a snow plow or snow thrower would be useless . havent had plowable snow in 10 years! i dont know why he didnt have more responces but it was worth it to me to drive 90 mile south to meet a new friend & get a new horse. thank you for listining jay.

[kpinnc 14,585]

Glad another NC Wheel Horse found a good home!

[oldredrider 2,553]

Selling is an "art form". Most salespeople are professionals that have learned the "key" words that will hook a prospective buyer. Remember the camera company that stated "A picture is worth a thousand words"? Decades later, it still rings true and probably always will.

Last year, I saw an Ebay ad for a C-120 in NC with only 1 picture but the description was complete regarding condition. Took a bit of a gamble and won the tractor. Turned out it was a C-160 automatic with hydro lift and is one of the best tractors in my barn. Yeah, it cost me a whopping $125.00, plus I got to take the wife on a weekend road trip...priceless! NC horses are right at home in VA!

[dobeleo 7]

I have sold different household items on craigslist and timing is everything. I would have an add placed one week, no calls. A few weeks later Id place the add again and my phone would ring off the hook. Oh yea, good pics make a difference. Regarding your pic shown above, just being honest, it is not a good pic.

[Sparky-(Admin) 23,130]

it has a spring loaded mule drive that looks funky but works well.

That sounds like the mule drive for a 520 with a 60" deck. I think they were the only ones to use a spring. You might be able to make some money back if you sold it as I bet they are hard to find.

Mike........

[Sparky-(Admin) 23,130]

Actually your machine is pre-attach-a-matic so my comment about the spring loaded drive is probably wrong.

Mike.........

[jay in nc 210]

sparky, i was just checking the classifieds and on 546cowboy's tractors he has a 68 raider 9 with that same identical spring loaded mule drive. so it must be a factory upgrade maybe. check it out thanks jay

[boovuc 1,090]

I agree that it didn't originally sell because of the picture. If I see a tractor surrounded by leaves or what I observe most of the time, sitting in high weeds, I pretty much assume it had no maintenance, it sat outside for most of it's life, the gasoline tank is full of water, the tranny is full of water, the electrical connections are all corroded and the engine is full of mice.

Most people who subject their machinery to these conditions don't think twice about it and shoot pictures as they sit. It's all perception. Like a used car dealer with his creampuff layered in color mask wax, body putty and a steamed engine compartment.

I'm glad you sold it and that you knew you had a good tractor that should have sold while posted.

(Now the opposite does happen! Seeing a beautiful picture of a tractor for sale and showing up to find it's as shiny as concrete and was gently hit with softball size hail sometime during the last 10 years)! :angry-screaming:

[hm12460 53]

Larry, I saw your tractor on e-bay and kinda thought you weren't too far off on the price. I was a little disappointed by the lack of more picture's. The location may be part of the problem also. I don't think Wheel Horse is a popular brand in your part of the country.