How To Buy Used Equipment|
How To Buy Used Equipment |
| Buying used equipment allows you to equip your islands
for the lowest possible initial cost. Depending on age, you can buy a used
pump or dispenser for as little as ten cents on the original dollar. Even
equipment that's just a few years old can often be obtained at half price
or less. Used equipment is available nationwide from a few major dealers,
locally and regionally from a number of smaller operations, and locally
from new equipment distributors. For a buyer, there are two main risks in buying used equipment. The first risk is the actual availability of the equipment being offered for sale. Many used equipment brokers are small, independent operators with little or no inventory. The majority of these people actually operate out of their homes. Used equipment brokers are often selling equipment they haven't seen. Often it's even equipment that they haven't purchased yet (95% or more of the equipment that PPI-DurEquip sells is in our warehouse when your order is placed). Your risk can be reduced by either making sure you're buying a unit from a real inventory (ask for photos and serial numbers), or by buying locally. The second major risk in used equipment is its condition. PPI-DurEquip (and other major brokers) normally will warrant that the equipment is complete and does not have major physical damage. While we often describe the equipment on a scale of 1 (junk) to 10 (new), one person's "5" can easily be another person's"6." Also, it is impossible to be certain, by looking at it, whether the internal mechanical and electronic components of a pump or dispenser are operational. As in most business transactions, a used equipment buyer can only evaluate his risk by considering both the price of the offered equipment and the reputation of the seller. When buying used equipment, it is important to be very clear about its configuration. With older mechanical units, this can be as simple as making sure that preset (slowdown) valves and electronic pulsers are installed if you require them. With newer equipment, this may involve determining the specific software that is installed. Dealing with these issues is particularly difficult if the seller does not have the unit in inventory, since it cannot then be easily checked for the presence or absence of features. We advise that you purchase used equipment assuming that it will require work before it is operational. If you expect to spend up to several hundred dollars on each unit, you will have fewer disappointments and more pleasant surprises. We do not recommend used equipment to everyone. In particular, we have found that end-user customers who do not routinely do their own maintenance and installation work are usually unhappy after purchasing used equipment. We generally recommend tested or rebuilt equipment to these customers. In contrast, equipment distributors and maintenance companies are ideal customers for used equipment. They have both the expertise and the parts to quickly get a used pump or dispenser operational on an island and generating revenue. If you like the idea of saving money by buying used equipment, but want to work with a qualified installation and service company we will be happy to recommend a good company in your area. Do you have equipment for sale? PPI-DurEquip is always a reliable buyer for your good used pumps, dispensers, and consoles. We will give you a firm price on your first telephone call to us and we will FAX you a confirming purchase order immediately upon your acceptance of our bid. If you have a list of equipment, you can FAX it to us at (866) 449-9211 or E-Mail it to us for a fast response. Please click on the "Equipment Wanted" button to the left on your screen for additional information. |