If you live in Middle Tennessee and own land, run a farm, or manage a business, you already know your tools can’t just look good—they’ve got to work hard, hold up, and keep you moving. Whether you’re maintaining property with a compact tractor, clearing brush with a zero-turn mower, or lifting heavy loads with a skid steer, you’re investing in more than a machine. You’re investing in your ability to get the job done.
Now, you’ve probably heard about the deals at Tri-Star Auction or seen one of our listings roll through. We’ll be the first to say it: auctions have their place. In fact, we send older or used inventory to auction when it makes sense. But we also see the flip side—calls from buyers who just picked up a “deal” that turned into a four-figure repair.
This article isn’t a sales pitch. It’s a reality check. Let’s get into what you’re really getting with auction buys versus new or certified used from a dealership like ours.
There’s a reason auctions pull a crowd. It’s fast, it’s cheap, and there’s a certain thrill to bidding. We get it. You can walk in with five grand and walk out with a loader. No small talk, no financing paperwork, just the auctioneer’s hammer.
But here’s what a lot of buyers don’t think about until it’s too late: you’re flying solo. No warranty. No dealer follow-up. No walk-through or how-to. That means if you load that piece of equipment onto your trailer and it won’t start back up tomorrow, you’re the one footing the repair bill.
Our tech team pulled some recent data on auctioned units that came into our service department. Over 60% of those machines needed repairs in the first 90 days. Most repairs landed between $1,800 and $2,500—more if parts had to be ordered.
We’ve seen cracked hydraulic lines, bad starters, worn-out tires, fuel systems clogged with buildup, and even gearboxes full of water. These aren’t extreme cases. They’re common ones.
On the other hand, when you buy from a dealership—whether it’s a brand-new Yanmar compact tractor or a certified used Gravely mower—you’re getting more than equipment. You’re getting a system of support.
Here’s what that really means:
- We inspect and prep every machine before it leaves our lot.
- We handle the paperwork, financing, and warranty registration.
- We offer maintenance and service on-site or in-house, including emergency support.
- We’ve got access to parts, service manuals, and technical reps from every brand we carry.
When something breaks—and let’s be honest, everything breaks eventually—it matters who you bought it from. With us, you’re not calling a 1-800 number. You’re calling your neighbor in Lebanon who knows your land, your machine, and your history.
Let’s talk money. Because we know that’s what a lot of folks are weighing: auction price versus retail.
A new machine might cost more up front, but here’s what you’re also buying:
- 2 to 10 years of manufacturer warranty
- Financing that spreads your payments out over time
- Fewer repairs in the first 3 years (our average service bill for a new owner under warranty is under $200 a year, often just seasonal maintenance)
- Higher resale value when you’re ready to upgrade
Now take that same budget and spend it at auction. If you’re lucky, you score a deal. But if you’re not, you could spend half your savings fixing someone else’s problem.
That’s not to say auctions are bad. There are good buys there, especially if you’re shopping for attachments, backups, or parts units. If you’re a mechanic or you’ve got a shop, you can make it work.
But for most of our working customers—folks who need machines to run right out of the gate—dealer support matters more than ever.
At Harris Trading Company, we do it all:
- We sell new equipment with warranty and delivery support.
- We take trade-ins and offer certified used inventory.
- We send pre-owned units to auction when it makes sense for all involved.
We’re not here to sell you something you don’t need. We’re here to keep your property moving, your land in shape, and your time respected.
So before you chase a deal, ask yourself this: Do you want the lowest price, or the highest value?
If you’re ready to talk options—auction, used, or new—give us a call. Better yet, stop by. We’ll show you what we’ve got, what’s headed to auction, and what’ll keep you running for years to come.
Call (615) 547-4033 or visit www.harristradingcompany.com.
Let’s get to work.
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