When it comes to the future trade-ins, I’m not so much concerned about trying to find a home for the $100,000 combine. What I’m more concerned about is that first and second trade that are $350,000 or $280,000 machines. So when I look out there, I try to see how many guys might be interested in those units. Unfortunately, right now when we go to talk to somebody about a high dollar, late, low hour used model, that same person is probably someone who could buy a new one, too. So we have to be careful who we talk to. We have to get to know their business before saying, “Hey, why don’t you buy a new one?” Because there’s a likely chance they should be buying a used one.

Casey Seymour swears by this strategy for managing used — and new — inventory for the best cashflow.

Every dealership has its own unique way of dealing with trades. Some are aggressively pursuing acquisition of used equipment, viewing it as a profit source, and dealing in high volumes. That tendency usually goes with being in a non-row-crop area with smaller equipment and less risk of making mistakes.

There is cash in used iron, and for most farm equipment dealers that pre-owned inventory represents the path to the overall health and lifeblood of their business. Dr. Jim Weber, a 40-year veteran consultant and trainer in the farm and construction equipment industry, says an on-going survey of large volume dealers in Canada shows used equipment turn rates — and corresponding positive cashflow rates — have fallen by about a third since 2012 as many dealers have been busy selling new equipment, with wholegood transactions averaging 81-82% of their dealership’s total sales.

Managing used equipment inventories and remarketing equipment is a big — if not the biggest — challenge for farm equipment dealers today. And while the used equipment problem is improving, dealers still have a lot of cash tied up in the used equipment inventory sitting on their lots.

Welcome to our first “Remarketing” themed edition. After nearly a year of to-the-shoulders immersion in used equipment (perhaps nostril-level for conference lead Kim Schmidt), we’re proud to see the Dealership Minds Summit, and this issue, come together. Our two national conferences in Omaha in August showed our audiences’ energy, a “let’s get after it” attitude and a sincere willingness to share what they know. Thanks to all who participated in this sold-out gathering.

Welcome to our first “Remarketing” themed edition. After nearly a year of to-the-shoulders immersion in used equipment (perhaps nostril-level for conference lead Kim Schmidt), we’re proud to see the Dealership Minds Summit, and this issue, come together. Our two national conferences in Omaha in August showed our audiences’ energy, a “let’s get after it” attitude and a sincere willingness to share what they know. Thanks to all who participated in this sold-out gathering.

The biggest couple of things I heard at the 2017 Dealership Minds Summit included keeping the late model stuff moving and how much new equipment should be sold to support used sales. Most of the customers who can buy late and low are also the same buyers who can by new.