Customers buy various price and condition not new machines for many valid reasons, but they should consider the following based on the writer’s over forty year’s sales experience to avoid unfulfilled expectations.
1.) First and foremost, time is of the essence in buying. Good machines at good prices are scarce and will not last. Probably not even a week.
2.) Why should most customers consider themselves price and value experts when they buy periodically, while the people they ask to find machines for them deal with the products and the market on a daily continuous basis, year after year?
3.) “Ex OEM dealer”, “one owner”, “work ready”, and “good running condition” are not measurable factual descriptions, and their value only exists in the eyes of the beholder.
4.) Machines leased, from rental companies, or repossessed often have seen no maintenance for the preceding six or more months.
5.) Photos don’t show details (inside of tires) and may not be current, or even of the machine offered.
6.) Idle hours are real hours, and hours quoted versus delivered, may vary as much as 100+/- for legitimate communication reasons.
7.) Likewise, the shipping location may change if the source takes it off rent to a different location for prep due to workloads.
8.) We don’t warrant machines. If the original owner bought extended warranty, only the OEM manufacturer can transfer it.
9.) Year and hours are important in different ways to different buyers.
10.) All machines should probably be inspected by the buyer, but definitely those over three years old and/or over 5,000 hours. Buyers not the seller assume the risk for not inspecting.
11.) In every circumstance, if you budget $5,000 to $10,000 after purchase for the unknown to put your machine in a condition satisfactory to you, in the long run, you won’t be disappointed.
Make sure you know your seller well, and he has been around for a long time. Make sure your seller only buys machines from similar sources. Used purchases properly executed can represent excellent value and save buyers significant money.