Grey market machine support?

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benvr

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I've seen some good deals on "grey market" machines (had to look up the term) but when researching it sounds like there might be issues getting support or repairs? Anyone have experience with this?
Do different manufacturers have different approaches to them?
 
Only good thing about a grey market machine is going to be the price IMO.

If you're running a business I'd avoid them. They may not meet US safety regulations which could leave you open to probablems if something goes wrong. Same for emission compliance.
They might also have different specs or parts than the US equivalent. So if it goes down it's might to be a huge pain just to find a replacement part, let alone someone who will work on it. Most dealers try to avoid working on them in my experience or charge a premium to do so.

That said, if you find a good one that's CAT/JD, you might get a screaming deal. That's IF you're using it personally AND you're mechanically inclined so can do maintenance yourself then maybe you'll be alright. But I'd try to line up a contact for parts before purchasing (hopefully whoever is brining them in can get you parts).

In the event you decide to buy one I'd recommend running it into the ground because the resale value on them is going to be low - which is why you're probably considering it in the first place.
 
winston_wisdom said:
Only good thing about a grey market machine is going to be the price IMO.

If you're running a business I'd avoid them. They may not meet US safety regulations which could leave you open to probablems if something goes wrong. Same for emission compliance.
They might also have different specs or parts than the US equivalent. So if it goes down it's might to be a huge pain just to find a replacement part, let alone someone who will work on it. Most dealers try to avoid working on them in my experience or charge a premium to do so.

That said, if you find a good one that's CAT/JD, you might get a screaming deal. That's IF you're using it personally AND you're mechanically inclined so can do maintenance yourself then maybe you'll be alright. But I'd try to line up a contact for parts before purchasing (hopefully whoever is brining them in can get you parts).

In the event you decide to buy one I'd recommend running it into the ground because the resale value on them is going to be low - which is why you're probably considering it in the first place.
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Good point, @winston_wisdom
 
Yeah, Grey market machines can be a gamble. If you’re handy with repairs and can source parts, it might be worth it for the price. But if you're relying on dealer support, it could turn into a headache fast. I've heard of guys buying them cheap, running them hard, and basically treating them as disposable. Anyone here actually had luck getting long-term use out of one?
 
Yeah, seems like a “know what you’re getting into” situation. If you can wrench on it yourself and have a parts source lined up, it could be a steal. But if you’re hoping for dealer support, it might not be worth the headache.
 
Seems like a classic case of 'you get what you pay for.' If you’re handy with repairs and have a reliable parts source, it could be a solid deal. But if you're banking on dealer support, it might turn into a nightmare real quick. Anyone here actually managed to keep a grey market machine running long-term without major headaches?
 
Good takes all around, definitely sounds like a “buy it with your eyes wide open” kind of deal. I’m curious too—has anyone found a specific brand or model that tends to hold up better in the grey market game? Or is it really hit or miss across the board?
 
great point! It really does seem like a bit of a gamble. I’ve heard that brands like CAT and JD sometimes do better on the grey market since their parts are more widely available, but that’s not always a guarantee. Has anyone had a better experience with certain models or brands, or is it really just luck of the draw? Definitely curious if there’s a sweet spot for grey market machines where the pros outweigh the cons!
 
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