Benefits of Buying Your Manual on eBay

The great thing about eBay is that there are so many buyers and sellers. With millions of prospects each day, it's only natural that sellers love to list their items here (myself included). If you want it, you can probably find it on eBay. That includes original tractor manuals. From my experience, at any given time there are usually 2,000 - 4,000 tractor / equipment manuals listed on eBay. Keep in mind, however, that only a percentage of these are Original manuals. Many of them are reprints (and often unauthorized.)

So...Why Buy only Original Manuals?

There are tons of reasons. I will list only a few here. I'm sure you have some of your own as well.

• If you are a collector of old tractor literature, memorabilia, etc.

You definitely don't want a reprint in this case. Reprints have little or no value in most cases.

• Maybe you are restoring an old tractor.

From my experience, the hobby of vintage tractor restoration seems to be growing in popularity. If you are restoring an old tractor, especially if you ever plan to enter it in any shows, you'll want the original manual(s). This can get you more points from the judges as well.

• Reprints are often not readable and are of overall poor quality. Many are also illegal!

You can often purchase a reprinted or photocopied manual or catalog (many of which are not authorized by the manufacturerer, and are therefore illegal) for a lesser price than the original. However, these manuals are often simply photocopies of the original and they are very difficult to read. Any pictures or hard-to-reproduce parts found in the original manual will be very difficult or almost impossible to read in such a copy. It all depends on what YOU, as the buyer, are looking for. In some cases, a reprint may be OK for you as far as quality. But please keep in mind that little thing about legality.

• Original manuals are just plain old fun and interesting!

I can attest to this one first-hand. We have thousands of manuals for various makes and models of tractors and implements. One of the most enjoyable things about listing these manuals on eBay is the fact that my dad and I get to go through them and check them all out before creating our listing. It is like stepping back in time when you get to peruse the pages of an old manual or catalog from, say the 1940's or 1950's. Even the newer ones are fun. Tractors and implements were made quite differently back in the day!

• If you need parts for an old tractor, you often need an old catalog.

Before getting into vintage tractor manuals, we focused almost solely on automotive parts. Often, the manufacturer would change their part numbers numerous times over the years. Eventually, they remove certain part numbers from the application catalogs and / or discontinue part numbers. Even so, if you can come up with an original part number, you can often interchange the part. Lo and behold, we have found that it is much the same way with tractors! Of course, it is also great to have the original part numbers when you are restoring a vintage tractor. The original part numbers for some very old tractors may still be available, but no longer listed in the new catalogs.

Tips for Buying Original Tractor Manuals on eBay

• Don't just look at auctions. Be sure to check in eBay Stores.

You may remember when I mentioned ealier that there are usually about 2,000 - 4,000 tractor manuals listed on eBay at any given time. Well, that number only included auction format listings. You can find thousands more by searching the Store Listings.

• If you don't see it listed, don't assume that it is not available on eBay. (Contact the seller and ask)

Many eBay sellers (again, ourselves included), buy manuals in bulk and can't possible list them all at one time. Just because you don't see the manual you need listed at auction or in the seller's store, that doesn't mean he or she does not have it. If a seller has an item in stock but not yet listed on eBay, that seller will usually be glad to list the item for you at auction or with a Buy It Now Price. Simply contact the member with your request. Most sellers are glad to help in any way they can.

• When searching for you manual / catalog, sort listings by "Price+Shipping:Lowest First"

The fact that it is an original manual doesn't always mean that it will cost an arm and a leg. If you want the original manual that goes with your tractor but you don't have a ton of money to spend, take advantage of eBay's Sort feature. When you type in a search for the item you want, also use the drop down menu to sort by "Price+Shipping:Lowest First." Many sellers buy merchandise in bulk and are able to start their manuals or catalogs from $4.99 up, or even less. 

I hope this brief guide has proven to be a useful tool in your search for original tractor manuals on eBay. BG COLLECTIBLES PLUS is always glad to help or to answer any additional questions you may have.

Sincerely,

Bill Gilliland (The chubby, long-haired, overall-wearing rascal pictured above!)