It’s often debated whether you should buy used business equipment or not. Some business owners take the view that in order to achieve success, buying from new is key. Others take the view that used equipment is an invaluable resource to save money and still provide efficiency.
We fall into that second category, but there are a few important things you need to know. Buying used equipment can be a risky business, and that’s why you need to take the risk out of the situation. Here’s how to do just that.
Payment Trails
Along the way, you’ll need to establish a payment trail. In the event that something went wrong, you’d then be equipped with the proof you needed to save the sale. So, keep all the receipts involved with the purchase. Don’t be afraid to take snapshots of the purchase process if you’re buying online. Don’t delete any important emails you might get, and be sure to check your bank statements as well. As long as you’ve got this information, you should be protected.
Warranties
Ultimately, buying used equipment is a very risky gamble if you don’t get any warranties with it. Different companies offer different levels of warranty for everything from laptops to construction materials. The longer the term offered, the more trust you can place in the equipment to do a good job. A company that isn’t willing to offer any warranty at all clearly doesn’t have any trust in its own offerings.
Trusted Sellers
A trusted seller is a seller that has proved to offer good service in the past. For example, companies like Elite Medical Products boast twelve years of service. You can’t put eBay and Amazon in the same category, despite their outstanding reputations. The reason for this is that they’re not the direct sellers. So, if you’re buying from eBay, but the product comes from Chris Construction Materials, the latter is the company to identify.
Inspections
In many situations, we buy our used equipment via the internet these days. That means we don’t normally get an opportunity to inspect equipment before we buy it. If you find yourself in a different situation, always ask to inspect it if you can. This gives you a way of visualizing any potential issues before you hand over your cash. It might just save you from making a costly mistake.
Background Checks
Ultimately, you don’t always know who you’re buying from if you’re buying online. Sure, big companies will give you plenty of information about their history, but it won’t always be that way. Those who sell used products from a basement in their home aren’t going to have much history to their name. This is where a background check can prove an important consideration to make sure you don’t get swindled. With the right details, you can ask the police to make sure the item hasn’t been reported stolen.
So, should you buy used business equipment? By all means! But, follow these tips as you go, and you’ll avoid any nasty incidents that might put you off forever.