Around here, Bobcat and Kubota are pretty jealous of each other. You might find a Massey Ferguson dealer that sells Kubota, but you won't find a Bobcat dealer that sells anything else. It's the same with Ford Equipment. They will sell New Holland, but that's it. And Cat? Don't even think about buying anything but Caterpillar from a Cat dealer.

That used to be the way things were with most dealers. Competitive brand trades went out the door and out of market. That's why I never used to have problems buying equipment. But today? With inventories low and salesmen needing paid, most have gone to selling their competitive brand trades even if that means selling them back into their own market.

Massey/Kubota is a somewhat common thing really. Massey doesn't have their own line of construction equipment so you'll see a Massey dealer with Kubota, Gehl, Mustang, Takeuchi construction equipment. Same with some Case dealers because of the way Case handles construction equipment. You can have a Case construction and Case AG dealer in the same market and the Case AG dealer can't sell case skid steers or mini excavators because of the Case construction dealer in the area.

With retirement on the horizon, I’ve thought about the same situation. Living on the lake I considered buying, upfixing and selling used boats. But we’re planning to move closer to civilization soon so I may do the same with motorcycles.

The point is...look beyond ag equipment if you’re looking for a pass-time. Buying, tinkering and selling are all fun...sounds like we have that in common. Broaden your horizons a bit and you may find what you are seeking.

No applications today but a really good conversation with a rather large Case IH dealer. The VP of Equipment Operations is going to line up a meeting between me, him and the senior VP of operations in a few weeks to discuss some things the company has in the works. He asked if I'd be closing my business to which I told him, it all depends on the opportunity that exists. They have two Bobcat affiliated stores which works well with my experience. They're also a Kubota compact tractor dealer at a few stores. Should be interesting.

I trust your resume' included your experience as a Pelican moderator.

Have prospective employers visit PPOT and ask for references. You're as good as hired!

_

Just don't use Z as a reference. Too soon? :D

Good luck Nick!

LOL!
I might use your offer of some creamy tomato basil soup to see if I can sweeten the pot!

I don't want them to think I'm nuts! :D

It's about time you got a job, young man.

I know. Such a slacker!

I've been out "scouting" a bit. MAN it's tough out there. I went to Ft Wayne yesterday to look at the dealers in that area. I didn't stop by the CAT dealer only because it's hard to tell what is in their rental and new inventory. The CAT dealer is weird in that all their new equipment runs through the CAT rental store. The Bobcat and Kubota dealers in FT Wayne had literally no new machines on the lot :eek: There is a Kubota tractor dealer (weird that Kubota did this in the same market) that had a fair amount of compact tractors on hand. I'm going to go over to Lima today to look around and see what the Bobcat dealer there has on hand. Did I mention it's tough out there? I'm glad I don't have a store with employees that I need to worry about right now!

I've also been paying attention to car dealers. The Honda/Toyota dealer in Lima has very limited new stock. The GMC/Dodge/Kia dealer has a lot of inventory but I can't help wonder how much of it actually runs (chip shortage) The same was true of the Chevy dealer in Ft Wayne. Looked like a lot of inventory on the lot but I can't help wonder how many actually have a chip and how many are simply sitting there so they aren't taking up space on a storage lot. The Toyota dealer in Ft Wayne seemed low on new inventory. The Subaru dealer appeared to have a decent amount of new. Used car lots had a lot of vehicles wherever I looked.

What a weird world it is right now.

Did they have any Pearl Gray Civic SI's on the lot? :)

I have never once filled out an application for a job. Been employed pretty much since I was 16.

I was literally sitting in class in high school, when my first boss leaned over and asked me if I wanted a job. Of course I said sure. He was visiting the room to take pictures for the yearbook. I have just started driving so I was just a bit over 16. He put me right to work, and there was no application. After several years of working full time after graduating from high school, I asked for at least a $12,000 per year salary. He refused, so I moved to Oklahoma and my application was the owner put me in a darkroom, and said to make me 8x10 color print from this negative. I had to figure out his darkroom, and when the first print came off the processor he said show up on Monday at 8:00.

When I got into aerial photography the owner of the company invited me to lunch one day. He offered to hire me at a bigger salary than I was making and promised regular raises if I was a good worker. I gave my notice and started in aerial photography. When that company was taken over by the idiot son and driven into bankruptcy in short order I started my own company with a business partner.

The week it took me to move from Alabama to Oklahoma was my only period of no paycheck, and one of those days was the 4th of July, so I have had 4 days of unemployment since I was 16.

^^^ I've never filled one out either.
Every job was thru referrals.

Nick, I hear they are hiring at Taco Bell.

Used restaurant equipment can be lucrative.

Some with a nice sign on bonus! Maybe I should make a run for the border! If they'd pay me in burritos I'd probably be happy.

You could do web consulting/equipment troubleshooting. I'll post some rave reviews.

SmileWavy SmileWavy

LOL!!! Thanks bud!

I have had people stop here to look at a machine and suggest I do videos on how to inspect a machine. Sadly I don't have the rack to really monetize the whole thing. :)

If you get the TB job :D....please get them to hurry up with the Mexican Pizza.
Why does it take two months to bring it back?? :confused: