How to Buy a Used Lawn Mower

Guest article written by Steve from Lawn Mower Guide

If you are starting a lawn care business and need to do it "on the cheap" then you definitely should look at getting a used lawn mower. Mowers nowadays are built with quality in mind, so with proper maintenance you can use your used mower for many years to come.

Don't Be Too Picky

At the onset of your mower search you may have a certain brand in mind. Don't fall into the trap that you are looking for a specific brand and never end up buying anything because you couldn't find the perfect deal.

There are more lawn mower manufacturers out there than you may realize, but many use the same engine. Briggs and Stratton as well as Honda engines are considered to be the best in the field. Personally, I own an MTD mower with a Honda engine and have never had a problem starting it.

You will find that the used lawn mower market is a first come first serve because in truth, many people do not sell their mowers. The market in my city is very lean, but perhaps in a more major market you may find that you will have better luck.

Check Auctions

I have been to a couple police auctions and you wouldn't believe what the police are selling for a fraction of their retail price! Contact your local police agency and see if they are holding an auction in your area. Police like to do spring cleaning so in April/May you will have a better shot of attending one.

Police auctions are not the only auctions in your area. Use Google Maps or even your yellow pages and search for auctions in your area. I guarantee there will be more than you expected. Not all auctions contain lawn mowers so call ahead of time and find out.

Online Sources

The two places I would recommend searching for a lawn mower online would be Kijiji and Craigslist. I say this because both of these classified ad sites are locals selling to locals. The problems that can arise from buying off of a site such as Ebay is that someone from across the country could turn what looks to be an amazing deal into a horrible one by charging horrendous shipping and handling. Stick with Kijiji and Craigslist and you can drive to the person's house and pick up your mower in a matter of hours.

Classifieds

Last but not least check the classifieds in your local paper. Some people still don't use the internet or haven't learned of free online classifieds. The benefit here is that most people have forgotten about paper classified ads and stick to searching online only. If you are lucky you could find a great deal and you will have barely any competition.

Steve's website, Lawn Mower Guide does lawn mower reviews. If you find a mower you would like to buy. Check out Steve's site for a review of the product!

Labels: Equipment