Buying any kind of product online can be tricky. You always have to do your homework to make sure you know what you’re getting. Used equipment definitely falls into that category. If you’re using a site like EquifyAuctions.com, you’re well on your way to making a purchase. Here’s what to remember so that you have an awesome buying experience and get the best bang for your buck.
Know Your Needs
When you’re buying something used, you’re probably shopping around quite a bit. This is where your personal knowledge and experience comes into play. If you’re shopping used, you’re probably looking at different models of equipment and maybe even completely different brands.
What are the pros and cons of the equipment that you’re looking at? How fast do these items wear out and what will work best with your business? There’s a ton of categories here that fall under this one tip, but the main idea is that you need to know exactly what you’re looking for. What can you sacrifice in one area to get a piece of equipment that will help you do the tasks you need at the cheapest price?
Knowing your business strengths and weaknesses as well as your equipment needs will help you decide where to save, where to spend, and when to pull the trigger.
Do Your Homework
When buying used, you need to be sure that everything is on the up and up. That means that you need to do a bit of research to make sure you’re not buying a stolen machine and all of the paperwork is available and ready to check.
You might be tempted to just bury your head in the sand and not worry about that kind of information, however, I would argue that you’re just giving yourself a bigger headache later down the road.
Know Your History
You need to know the history of any equipment you’re buying online. Not just the make and model of a piece of equipment, but more along the lines of how it was used. Was this something rarely touched or has this equipment already been run into the ground? Maintenance is a part of this as well. What are the owners like? Did they take care of the equipment as needed?
Signs of Damage
This goes right along with our last tip. Are there any signs of damage to the machine? Superficial scratches or marks aren’t a big problem, but if this equipment slows down functions at certain times, you’re going to need to know that.
Precision
Does the equipment still do the job it needs to do accurately and with precision? If you buy a used machine, but it generates a lot more in material costs because something isn’t quite right, you’re in a losing situation. This doesn’t always apply, but generally, you need a machine that is performing just like it did when it was new.
Wrap Up
Buying used equipment online can be a challenge, but with the right mindset and a good knowledge of the item and your needs, you can make a positive purchasing decision!
