Buying Used Equipment
If you need equipment for your farm, ranch, construction site, or other enterprise that requires the use of heavy machinery, then you know how expensive it can be. One good way to cut down on how much you spend to get the machines you need is to investigate used equipment options. Because heavy equipment is designed to last for many years, it holds its value well, so buying used equipment is a great way to stick to your budget without sacrifice. Here are some things to keep in mind when shopping for used equipment.
Do Some Online Research
Before you go anywhere, get out your phone or laptop and do some research into brands and models that may be suitable for your work. Look up the features of various pieces of equipment to see what models will be best for the work you have to do. Check out reviews by professional organizations and previous or current owners to make sure the piece of equipment works well and doesn’t have any major flaws.
Buy From a Reputable Seller
Your options for buying used equipment are to either go with a private seller you find online or in the newspaper, or from a local dealership that handles used equipment. The option you choose is up to you, but we’d recommend that you go with a reputable seller that has a proven history of selling good-quality machinery.
A fly-by-night seller you find on Craigslist is under no obligation to stick around once they’ve sold you your machine, so if something goes wrong, you’re going to have to fix it yourself. Dealers like Upstate Equipment have a reputation to uphold and an obligation to ensure their customers’ satisfaction, so that if anything goes wrong, they’re able to provide you with support.
Perform a Thorough Inspection
When you finally land on a piece of used equipment that you think you want, don’t just hand over your credit card. First, you need to perform a thorough interior and exterior inspection of the machine to ensure that you’re not getting a bad deal.
Ask for the maintenance history of the piece of equipment so you can determine whether it was adequately cared for by previous owners. Turn on the machine and test out the hydraulics, lights and signals. Inspect every part for signs of undue wear and tear or serious damage, including rust or major dents or stiffness. When you’re satisfied with the quality of the machine, you can then confidently make your purchase.
Come see us at our dealership in Lockport, NY, today to check out our selection of used equipment for sale. We also provide financing options to help you with your equipment purchase. Upstate Equipment serves greater Buffalo, along with the city of Amherst, NY.