It’s that time of year again, the fourth quarter of the year. Auctions, year-end tax buying and equipment upgrades for next year are in full swing.

It’s that time of year again, the fourth quarter of the year. Auctions, year-end tax buying and equipment upgrades for next year are in full swing.

As part of his recent presentation at the 2020 Virtual Dealership Minds Summit, Trent Hummel, consultant and trainer with the Western Equipment Dealers Assn.’s (WEDA) Dealer Institute, showcased a series of studies conducted with Farm Equipment in which surveyed dealers were asked what influences their valuations of used equipment.

Interest in used equipment is on the rise, but not particularly in used combines. According to results from Ag Equipment Intelligence’s August 2020 Dealer Sentiments report, a net 6% of dealers reported their used inventory “too low” in July, the first time it’s been “too low” since June 2012.

The run-up to the 2014 auction season was one of disbelief and dismay. The amount of used equipment on the market was no joke, and it was getting worse every day.

The run-up to the 2014 auction season was one of disbelief and dismay. The amount of used equipment on the market was no joke, and it was getting worse every day.

The risk of every dealership is in used equipment. So much of a dealership’s profitability is directly tied to its ability to generate cash by selling its used inventory.

The risk of every dealership is in used equipment. So much of a dealership’s profitability is directly tied to its ability to generate cash by selling its used inventory.

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.