To Sell or not to Sell, that is the question

Sprint 6 · Dec 28, 2019

At one time, we had owned property in the country and planned to build a house. Recession, 12 years, and financial plans changing, we ended up selling the land. I had purchased a 1957 Super 55 from my great aunt when we bought the property to maintain it. It was bought new by my great uncle in May 1958 as a left over model. Now that we have sold the land, it just sits at my sister in law's unused shed because I have no place to store it. As much as it would pain me to sell an heirloom, I hate something sitting around unused about as much. I have reached out to family, but nobody is interested. My great aunt and uncle have long since passed away. A friend of mine is buying 29 acres and needs a tractor. He has expressed interest. Should I sell it, or let it continue to sit? Funds from the sale would buy an M1 Garand I would really like to have, but it isn't like I couldn't just buy a Garand, just makes it easier to justify to the chief financial officer. What do folks who have been in my shoes think?

Traditional Farmer · Dec 28, 2019

I'd sell it and buy something I wanted.If you were to die tomorrow it'd be sold right? You may as well benefit from it as your heirs.

fastfarmall · Dec 28, 2019

I am no expert in these kind of matters, but it sounds like a win win, the 55 has a new owner that will take care of it,You can have your dream gun, which is easier to take care of. If you want you etch a picture of the 55 in the stock, like the other guy did of his 1466 Tractor, on his new skeet gun!

steve_in_mo · Dec 28, 2019

To me, it's a no-brainer. Sell, give, or loan the tractor to your friend.

Tony in SD · Dec 28, 2019

A good friend of mine once told me "Never sell your toys!" Personally I live by that. But it?s your toy so you ultimately have to decide what to do.

ss55 · Dec 28, 2019

Would it be an easier decision if you were paying your SIL $25 or $50 per month to store the tractor? I would sell it and give your SIL a percentage for storing it for you.

centash · Dec 28, 2019

Sell it to your friend if you feel he would take good care of it. Keep the option to be the first in line if he plans to sell it. Enjoy both situations.

Ben

BillinCentralMO · Dec 28, 2019

I say , think about it some more. But I?m bad about selling stuff. Sold three things in my life. Two of them I wish I still had. Third one i?m not sure about yet.

fixerupper · Dec 28, 2019

If the rest of the family does not want it I think you can feel free to sell it to a good home. Sitting in a shed will only hurt it. I have the same situation with a 105 year old piano sitting in my house. It was bought new by my grandmother well over 100 years ago. It s a family heirloom, both my sister and I took piano lessons on that piano but I don t need it anymore, it is just taking up space. My sister isn t interested in it and my dad has dementia and does not remember it so with a heavy heart I am going to advertise it. Sometimes we have to make those decisions. Once the sale is is made and the heirloom is gone we will feel better about our decision.

moresmoke · Dec 28, 2019

If no one in the family is interested, and you can find it a good home, I would sell it. I have a couple heirloom tractors, I use/play with them so they will stick around for now. I doubt anyone in the immediate family will be interested, I have one nephew that may be interested at some point but is halfway across the country. I hope my family has a good sale when I am gone.

Old Bob · Dec 28, 2019

I reached the same spot you are in now about 5 years ago.

I had my Grandpas 730 and my Dads 4020. They were to be passed on to my son. He passed away almost 7 years ago.

I am 66 and no one to pass them in to. No family members want them. I sold the 730. 4020 will be sold this year.

Sometimes things change and you have to change your plans.

I have not regretted what I have done.

The decision I made was made by me, not someone else after I pass away

showcrop · Dec 29, 2019

Putting the decision off is really just letting it slowly go away. I recommend selling it.

steve terplak · Dec 29, 2019

How good of a friend?
I am with you- that tractor sitting is not doing it any favors.

If it is truly a friend, ask if you can store the tractor at his place. Assuming he/she will run it responsibly, take care of it and maintain it. Then if you feel like using it, it is there. It isn?t rotting away. Your friend Has a tractor for the cost of oils and filters. If you are ready to take it back, it is there.

Hoofer B · Dec 29, 2019

I would ask your friend if I could store it at his place and let him use it, or just sell it to him with the request that you can come and play with it. Even if you do not own it anymore, you know where it is. Bill

Crazy Horse · Dec 29, 2019

Sell it to your friend BUT don't get upset if he eventually sells it, that's probably going to happen eventually.

Janicholson · Dec 29, 2019

The memories will stay where they are. Make everybody smile. Jim

JK-NY · Dec 29, 2019

I would consider selling it to your friend with an understanding that you would get first chance to buy it back if he wanted to sell it. You could also loan it to him if he is someone you can trust to take good care of it. I would get some written agreement if you loan it so you can prove it is yours if things get weird. I know some one who lost a classic car they had $20000 in that was stored at a friends. The guy I know and his friend went in together on a small pole barn for storage. The friend ended up getting divorced and the ex wife got the building and sold my friends car as he had left the transferable registration in it . After getting law enforcement and an attorney involved he was told there was nothing they could do to either get the car or the money back. I know this sounds crazy but it is true. So protect your interest in the tractor however you proceed.

Leroy · Dec 29, 2019

To me this is the best reply.

Mike Fitz · Dec 29, 2019

I would consider cleaning the tractor up and getting some nice pictures of it, possibly professional done, so you have a keep sake from it, sell it to your friend at a very fair price and be happy knowing it will be doing what it was built for, for someone you know. Better to be worn out from use than to rot away in a shed. That is just me though.
Mike

David G · Dec 29, 2019

Sell it

ztrmowers · Dec 29, 2019

sell it and move on but you might want give some money to sister inlaw for storage. if closer I would sure take it off your hands

ss55 · Dec 29, 2019

If you sell it, I would sell it outright with no restrictions, future expectations or obligations on your part. It may not be reasonable to put limits on what a buyer can do with the tractor. Some people try, but they are often disappointed and that hurts the friendship.

If you retain ownership while a friend uses it, who pays for the repairs, maintenance and accidental damages? Not everyone has the same levels of experience or takes the same care of equipment, especially "rented" equipment. Hey Spirt, your tractor has a flat and needs a new tire. Hey Spirit, your tractor stopped running and is parked in a ditch down the road. Hey Spirit, your tractor started smoking and overheating, so I drove it to your place and parked it in your yard.

jimtrs · Dec 29, 2019

One of the worst things you can do to an old tractor ..... is let them sit. They like to run. They need to run. The tractor is losing value every day it just sits.

4wdtom · Dec 29, 2019

As much as I like old tractors I would sell in your position. I sounds like you would have a lot more fun with the Garand than you are having with the tractor and it isn't good for them to not run. You could get the Garand and reloading equipment maybe. This looks like one of those "change in life" times when you let the past be a good memory and look to the future.

Hobo,NC · Dec 29, 2019

I was going to say keep the tractor storing them is not an issue for me unless I have a want then the tractor goes to supply my want...

The only thing I wanted my grandpa had was his shot gun I could get his tractor but don't want it... I did get my dads sweet 16 my mom brought for him in the mid 50's new its not for sale are never will be as long as I am alive...

If you ever need a tractor you can get a new one with a computer..
:twisted: Then you will beholding to the dealer tech...

jddrawbar · Dec 30, 2019

To Sell or not to Sell, that is the question

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