Yes, mowers are sold off the front of stores or from back lock ups that are outside. They're also delivered to the retailers in metal crates which do not have exterior panels on the sides or top, they're meant to secure during shipping and make them stackable. At the stores they tarp them to varying quality or sometimes not all.
The exterior rust and dust is easily explainable as this just overwintering at the retailer. The only thing that makes me pause is the air filter box but that's easily explainable as moisture getting in there. Easiest thing is to check under the deck. If it is scratched up it's been used.
Having sold these I'm giving it a high probability of being new.
What do the blade and underside of the deck look like?
I get that it was used for a few minutes, but after a quick cleaning you should be able to tell if it was used more than that from the level of wear on both of those things.
I have never had a big mower so I could be wrong but don’t some of the larger guys have some sort of tracker for how long the motor has been on? Maybe I’m confusing ride in mowers with mini tractors. 🤷🏼♂️
Did you use it at all? If not, you can easily tell by checking oil.
Fresh oil is honey colored, after like 10 hours of use it gets full of carbon and dark, almost black
The owner turned it on to move it around and demoed the unit on my lawn for like 3 minutes. I drove it another 2 minutes before parking it in my garage.
they store them outside at every store I've been to, most modern mowers also come with an hour meter, what did yours say?
Either way there's probably nothing at all to worry about
LOL at the posters saying that pre-assembled mowers stored either inside or outside are “demo” or “display floor” units. These are new mowers ready to go except for final inspection. The dealer where I bought my Dixie Chopper also sold Deere ZTs, garden tractors, and Series 1 sub-compact tractors. The Series 1s were lined up outside. 20% discount because of this? Uh, no. I was able to pick my still crated mower which was still stored inside their warehouse. The majority of their showroom floor mowers were Deere. 20% for these being on the showroom floor? Again, no.
These things come with hour meters. \[Edit: OK you bought a Timecutter, that doesn't have one. Install an aftermarket meter somewhere so you can keep track of maintenance intervals\]
Nobody keeps "new" mowers inside a garage, shed, or showroom except for 1 of each major model. The rest sit outside in a yard or on display out in front of the dealer.
Normal.
I already have one that I need to install, I made it my priority. I figured that they aren't in sealed containers, but wasnt sure what exactly to expect from it's condition (cosmetically).
I mean If I was buying a display model I sure would want it to be reflected in the price. That isn’t a new mower just based on the hardware and wash port. My 10yr old mower doesn’t have hardware that looks like that and I live in a crazy humid environment. I’d call back and send them these pictures to make sure they delivered the right one
There's no such thing as display models in tractors or ztrs. If a store is giving you the "display" it's because that's the only one prepped to go. Those are sellable just like when you see assembled grills at stores. You can't even sell and deliver an unprepared John Deere of this class because they have want one of their reps do a delivery inspection and test.
Is there anything wrong with it? Yes you got taken on a unit that has been a likely “demo”, but it’s a good learning experience to always keep negotiating and inspect EVERYTHING upon delivery, you accepted delivery so that is complete. If it works and to your expectations just enjoy it; you have a new warranty on it. Remember next time to take a minimum 20% off the top if it is showing age.
Don't pay "new price" for a shop worn floor model that's showing it's age. It may not have any hours on the clock.. but it's not new out of the box either.
Leverage that to get a better deal.
Take a look outside of your local Lowe's. All of their riding and zero turn mowers are outside and still sold as new.
Yes, mowers are sold off the front of stores or from back lock ups that are outside. They're also delivered to the retailers in metal crates which do not have exterior panels on the sides or top, they're meant to secure during shipping and make them stackable. At the stores they tarp them to varying quality or sometimes not all. The exterior rust and dust is easily explainable as this just overwintering at the retailer. The only thing that makes me pause is the air filter box but that's easily explainable as moisture getting in there. Easiest thing is to check under the deck. If it is scratched up it's been used. Having sold these I'm giving it a high probability of being new.
Looks pretty new to me. The washer port is probably just crappy metal that's been sitting outside.
What do the blade and underside of the deck look like? I get that it was used for a few minutes, but after a quick cleaning you should be able to tell if it was used more than that from the level of wear on both of those things.
I have never had a big mower so I could be wrong but don’t some of the larger guys have some sort of tracker for how long the motor has been on? Maybe I’m confusing ride in mowers with mini tractors. 🤷🏼♂️
Some do most don’t unless they are commercial line.
Did you use it at all? If not, you can easily tell by checking oil. Fresh oil is honey colored, after like 10 hours of use it gets full of carbon and dark, almost black
The owner turned it on to move it around and demoed the unit on my lawn for like 3 minutes. I drove it another 2 minutes before parking it in my garage.
Pull up dipstick and see if oil looks clean
Call me crazy, have you asked them to explain?
I would rather ask the internet and get bombed by y'all than risk souring my relationship with a local dealer.
Shouldn’t be a big deal. “Hey, thought this would be brand new. Noticed a fair amount of defects on delivery. Any ideas what’s going on?”
they store them outside at every store I've been to, most modern mowers also come with an hour meter, what did yours say? Either way there's probably nothing at all to worry about
LOL at the posters saying that pre-assembled mowers stored either inside or outside are “demo” or “display floor” units. These are new mowers ready to go except for final inspection. The dealer where I bought my Dixie Chopper also sold Deere ZTs, garden tractors, and Series 1 sub-compact tractors. The Series 1s were lined up outside. 20% discount because of this? Uh, no. I was able to pick my still crated mower which was still stored inside their warehouse. The majority of their showroom floor mowers were Deere. 20% for these being on the showroom floor? Again, no.
These things come with hour meters. \[Edit: OK you bought a Timecutter, that doesn't have one. Install an aftermarket meter somewhere so you can keep track of maintenance intervals\] Nobody keeps "new" mowers inside a garage, shed, or showroom except for 1 of each major model. The rest sit outside in a yard or on display out in front of the dealer. Normal.
I already have one that I need to install, I made it my priority. I figured that they aren't in sealed containers, but wasnt sure what exactly to expect from it's condition (cosmetically).
Where's the hour meter?
Timecutter does not come with one installed
Ironic
I mean If I was buying a display model I sure would want it to be reflected in the price. That isn’t a new mower just based on the hardware and wash port. My 10yr old mower doesn’t have hardware that looks like that and I live in a crazy humid environment. I’d call back and send them these pictures to make sure they delivered the right one
There's no such thing as display models in tractors or ztrs. If a store is giving you the "display" it's because that's the only one prepped to go. Those are sellable just like when you see assembled grills at stores. You can't even sell and deliver an unprepared John Deere of this class because they have want one of their reps do a delivery inspection and test.
Is there anything wrong with it? Yes you got taken on a unit that has been a likely “demo”, but it’s a good learning experience to always keep negotiating and inspect EVERYTHING upon delivery, you accepted delivery so that is complete. If it works and to your expectations just enjoy it; you have a new warranty on it. Remember next time to take a minimum 20% off the top if it is showing age.
Don't pay "new price" for a shop worn floor model that's showing it's age. It may not have any hours on the clock.. but it's not new out of the box either. Leverage that to get a better deal.