[AT] the 2004 Valu-Bilt catalog

[Cecil E Monson]

> I find it interesting that a company bothered to publish a used part
> catalog.  I never have seen the ones you guys are discussing, but the
> general rule-of-thumb at the dealerships I've worked for over the years
> is: Serviceable used parts are priced at 50% of new.
> 
> YMMV, and that may not be a universal technique, but I've run into it
> often enough that I know it isn't something that was made up on the spur
> of the moment.
> 
> I suppose part of the problem is that with old iron we're into a
> cross-over business that falls somewhere between the "Antiques Road
> Show" and a U-Pull-It auto salvage yard.
> 
> Larry 


	Central Tractor was heavily into used tractor parts. They apparently
saw the need many years ago and had several tear-down yards around the country
that were used for dismantling, grading and shipping of good used parts. I
know of one yard they had north and west of Batavia, New York. When they closed
the Central Tractor stores, they junked most of the parts they had at this
facility although some of the employees were thoughtful enough to buy some of
the parts at junk prices before they were all gone. As to the catalog, when I
first became interested in old tractors again in the early 1980s, they already
had a catalog available and an extensive inventory of used parts. Maybe CT
didn't have stores in all the Midwest states but they had them here in New York
and I know for sure in Iowa and Minnesota. I think the largest of the yards for
dismantling old tractors was on the west edge of Des Moines. I would imagine
that some of the Iowa List members would know a lot more about that facility
than I would although I bought used parts from them for quite a few years.

	As to pricing of used parts, I have no idea how them came up with the
prices. It may be just as you say, Larry, but you couldn't prove it by me. If
they were in fact 50% of new, I suppose everyone would have the same prices
so theirs could have been a market based price depending on sales, turnover
and availability.

	I got most of my CT catalogs at the stores which had huge piles of them
when they came out for the year. Piled near the checkout registers as a rule, we
picked them up on the way out. Most orders for parts, new or used, came with a
new catalog as well.

Cecil
-- 
The nicest thing about telling the truth is you never have to wonder
what you said.

Cecil E Monson
Lucille Hand-Monson
Mountainville, New York   Just a little east of the North Pole

Allis Chalmers tractors and equipment

Free advice

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