You can save a lot of money by buying second-hand equipment for your business. However, before you purchase, you must ensure that the machinery is reliable.
Here are the key things you need to do when choosing reliable used equipment.
Look for Well-Known Brand Names, e.g. Haas for Machine Tools
It is always a good idea to buy equipment from well-known brands because you can almost be sure of quality and reliability and know precisely what you are getting.
For instance, if you are looking to purchase a CNC lathe, a CNC vertical or horizontal machining center, or a rotary product, Haas is one of the leading and best companies around. And various second-hand Haas equipment is available. For example, on this link you can find multiple used Haas machines.
Another advantage of buying equipment from well-known brands is that your employees will probably have good knowledge of the machinery and that spare parts will be widely available, thus ensuring repairs don’t cause a lot of downtime.
Inspect the Equipment
It is essential that you inspect any second-hand equipment before you buy it. You need it to be reliable, after all.
In this day and age, it is possible to virtually inspect equipment. Just make sure you see photographs of the machinery from various angles and also see a video of the equipment performing a test run. Things like vibrations and noise can be just as important as visual clues for getting a good understanding of a piece of equipment’s reliability.
But, if you can, it is best to perform an inspection in person. If you cannot visit the dealer yourself, get a trusted and knowledgeable worker to see the equipment on your behalf. This is also to ensure that all the safety features of the equipment are working well.
Ask the Seller Questions
Whether you see the used equipment in-person or via virtual means, you need to ask the dealer lots of questions before you buy.
For instance, you should know the extent of the refurbishment and be able to access maintenance records. You should also find out how old the machine is and what deterioration it has experienced.
Ask about each important element of the equipment and get satisfactory answers from the vendor before you buy. You can then ensure that the second-hand equipment you purchase is reliable.
Get Everything in Writing
To ensure the equipment and the seller is reliable, make sure you get everything in writing. That includes the first formal quote, details of the machine and its accompanying accessories, the mode of payment, the delivery terms, and the extent of the seller and buyer liability.
The last thing you want is to complete your purchase only to find certain elements are not as you thought. The more you get everything down on paper as a record, the more certain you can be that you will not run into any problems.
Act Quickly
Timing is crucial for finding reliable second-hand equipment for your business. Sellers will have one-off pieces of equipment, unlike the market for new equipment where models come off the production line and the vendor can sell numerous machines.
When you are ready to buy a piece of equipment, you need to move fast to secure it; otherwise, you could lose out and have to start the search again. For some brands and models, opportunities for buying certain equipment are scarce.
However, do not overlook the other steps listed above for finding reliable used equipment. It is important that you choose a leading brand, inspect the equipment, ask questions, and get everything in writing before you buy.
But when you are certain you have found the right second-hand equipment, do not delay in buying, or you could miss out.
