Five Tips for Buying Used Equipment

You’re looking to save a little bit of money—and let’s face it, what business isn’t these days? As a result, you’re considering purchasing used equipment instead of buying new, but you are still not sure if you want to take the risk. After all, new equipment comes with more assurances and therefore greater peace of mind.

Buying used equipment can be just as satisfying of an experience, not to mention a more affordable one, as buying new equipment … provided you follow a few simple guidelines.

Below are five tips to keep in mind when buying used equipment:

1. Buy from a reputable reseller. Partnering with a trusted seller of used equipment with expertise with the type of equipment that you are looking for takes all the guesswork out of the equation. That’s because such a company does all the detective work for you, ensuring that the equipment offered meets or exceeds all the essential standards. Their reputation depends on providing you with the highest-quality used equipment, which is worth more than any limited warranty you might encounter from non-verifiable sources.
   
    
2. Consider the age of the equipment. Oldest may be cheapest, but when it comes to buying used equipment, there is a happy medium. For the best price to lifetime ratio, aim for used equipment that is in the three- to eight-year-old range. These pieces will hold their value longer, giving you more financial leverage should you decide to resell down the road. But, don’t completely count out older equipment, most process equipment is very industrial and can do the job right for a long time if properly cared for.
    
3. Perform a background check. Ask about the equipment’s history. This information will provide you with insight into the used equipment’s history and use. If the piece of equipment isn’t exactly up to par, oftentimes, resellers can even recondition the used equipment and sell it as ‘like-new’ condition.
    
4. Do a test run. If feasible, take the used equipment you’re considering purchasing out for a spin. Put it through some of the paces that you’ll be subjecting it to once it’s in your possession. If you’re buying online, be sure to ask the reseller about the cost of a test run and ask if they can supply a video of the test run to ensure it meets your purchase requirements. 
    
5. Think outside the box. If you’re looking to buy, for example, used process equipment, the obvious instinct is to turn to a used process equipment auction. And provided you’re working with a reputable auction house, that approach will work. However, you’ll also be bidding against buyers who are seeking the same type of equipment. As a result, the price will likely be driven higher. An alternative smart idea is to seek out general auctions that have the particular piece of equipment you’re seeking as one of their lots. Online auctions are also a novel way of getting your hands on used equipment at a very competitive price.

There are many advantages to selecting Aaron Equipment for your next used equipment purchase. There are several reasons why to choose Aaron Equipment but take your time and read about our inventory, professional sales staff, shop capabilities and more. If you have any questions regarding used equipment email us and a member of our sales staff will contact you promptly and or call us at 630-350-2200, if you are looking to speak to a sales professional immediately.