Who We Are
About Us
Our Web Sites
Why Buy From Us

View
Slide Show
We can obtain financing for any used fire truck listed on our web site for any volunteer fire, or combined department

How Avoid From Paying too Much for Your New Fire Truck
and/or Being Ripped Off!

    Although you wouldn't think it, but some of the people, dealers and companies who sell fire trucks are not the most credible or ethical folks you'll find...they are pretty much 'Used Cars Salesmen", who have chosen to sell new and used fire trucks, just because they think they can make more money at it with higher priced vehicles.  What I share below unfortunately has become an industry standard with some dealers and manufacturers and the only way to change/stop this is to educate my fellow firefighters.

   If you don't want ripped off, or to pay more for your fire truck than you should, look for these signs and traps which could cost you thousands of dollars, or to acquire the fire truck you don't need or which can become a nightmare.

    I know this is going to make many dealers/manufacturers hate me (they already do, because I disclose their tricks and and I force them to reduce their rates/commissions to match mine), but I much prefer being hated by a few unscrupulous salesmen, than to betray my fellow firefighters.

USED FIRE TRUCK SALES AND PURCHASING CONSIDERATIONS

    Some of the pitfalls and issues with buying a used fire truck are similar to buying a new one, certainly when it comes to manufacturer's dealers and independent dealers and marketers.  Here are just a few of them.

    1.    DEALERS and MARKETERS:

    A.    If a dealer or marketer has a large number of fire trucks on their web site, it is either because they just have a lot of pictures of fire trucks and they are just trying to attract inquiries, bait & switch or other practices, or they have a lot of fire trucks they have can't sell and they have not been able to sell for the fire departments listing them.

    B.    If the dealer or marketer has a commission higher than 5% for a used fire truck, this often forces a fire department to ask too much for their used fire truck, which causes it to continue to cost the seller money in maintaining and housing the apparatus, which is only going to continue to lose value with age.  DO NOT list your truck with any "dealer", who charges more than a 5% commission.

    C.    If a dealer or marketer does not disclose your asking price and simply uses "Call for Price", "Reduced", or similar in the advertising listing of your fire truck for sale, then get them to put it in writing, that by doing so they agree to purchase your fire truck for your full asking price, if it doesn't sell within ninety (90) days.

    D.    If a dealer or marketer requires you to give them an exclusive listing, only do so if they agree, in writing, to purchase your fire truck for your full asking price, if it doesn't sell within ninety (90) days.

    E.    If a dealer or marketer says in their marketing agreement they keep all sums above your asking price or all sums above 95% of your asking price, make them to agree then to purchase your used fire truck, for your full asking price, if they do not sell it within ninety (90) days.

    F.    If you are trading in your used fire truck to purchase a new one, visit other web sites selling used fire trucks and only agree to a trade-in value that is no less than 75% of the average comparable sales prices you find through other sources.

    G.    If you have had your used fire truck on the market for more than ninety (90) days, then you need to consider reducing your sales price and listing your fire truck for sale through other sources.  If you are in a contract to list/sell your fire truck, you may wish to renegotiate this agreement, per the above Item-D hereto.

    H.    If the dealer or marketer says "no contracts or paperwork necessary", run from them like a jack-rabbit, because without paperwork, how can you sell a truck and how can another buy the truck to then register it, to insure it, and put it into service?

    2.    PAPERWORK:

    A.    A dealer or marketer or a selling fire department should be able to provide all information regarding the used fire truck they are selling, including copies of certifications, condition disclosure forms signed by the seller, whether or not they are the owner or just a listing agent, and other vital information.

    B.    If you are selling a used fire truck and a dealer doesn't have a marketing agreement with a maximum commission of five percent (5%), an apparatus condition disclosure form, and other forms and processes to help you sell your truck, then you need to find another more capable, honest and credible dealer.

    3.    LENGTH OF TIME TO SELL A USED FIRE TRUCK:

    A.    If a fire truck has been on a dealer's or marketer's web site or on the market for longer than ninety (90) days, it is because either there is something seriously wrong with this apparatus, or it is grossly overpriced.

    B.    If you are a seller of a fire truck that has not sold you probably need to drop your asking price or find another listing agent dealer.  If you are buying a fire truck and you've seen one on the market for over ninety (90) days, then consider making an offer for it at 25%-50% less the asking price.

    4.    CERTIFICATION:

    A.    DO NOT buy a fire truck that is not certified, unless you are buying it to refurbish/restore it or modify it to then later have it certified.  If you or another firefighter is inured because of some failure or defect of this truck you will run the risk of not only invalidating any insurance claim you may have, but this may be even a criminal negligence and/or reckless endangerment charge.

    5.    FAIR MARKET VALUE OF A USED FIRE TRUCK:

    A.    Of course anybody buying and/or selling a used fire truck wants to get the best price.  If you are looking for comparable either as buyer or seller, then as you visit various web sites selling fire trucks, look at their prices and reduce these by about 25%...this will give you a better idea of what you can ask and expect to receive for the purchase of the fire truck.

    B.    Fire trucks are like any vehicle in that they are going to depreciate rapidly.  Therefore, even though they are well-maintained and garaged kept, you are not going to sell your used fire truck for a price near what you paid for it.

    C.    Often a used truck may not be exactly what you are seeking, but if you offer a little less, explaining that you need to change the lights, put in a bigger pump, tank, foam system or other feature, just remember the answer is always no, until you ask.

    This is just a summary of some of the common practices we have seen in not only trying to deal with others in the sales of fire trucks, but also in the financing of these sales.

    If you wish to purchase a new or used fire truck, or sell your used fire truck, then contact us for more information.

    6.    WARRANTIES AND SERVICE:

    A.    Make sure that you have warranties for the chassis, the pump, the tank, the aerial (if applicable) and all other components, if they still exist.  This is especially true if the pump has been rebuilt or replaced or there were other major refurbishing or restoration prior to the truck being put up for sale..  A warranty for the paint job is not sufficient and it is useless.

    B.    Make sure that you have a local dealer/manufacturer supplying service that they and their staff are indeed EVT and not just a diesel mechanic.

    C.    Make sure that all warranties, extended warranties and related are clearly disclosed as to what they do indeed cover, for how long, any disclaimers and/or exemptions, and all costs for these warranties.

    This is just a summary of some of the common practices we have seen in not only trying to deal with others in the sales of fire trucks, but also in the financing of these sales.

    If you wish to purchase a new or used fire truck, or sell your used fire truck, then contact us for more information.

Used Fire Truck Auction