Used Restaurant Equipment - Purchasing and Financing

When buying used equipment, it is important for the entrepreneur to protect his investment as best as he can.  No warranties or guarantees will likely be available except through sites like Ebay, where the seller of anything questionable will be subject to the kind of negative feedback that will reduce his future business.   Although this fail safe can be a plus for a buyer of smaller items such as plates and  barware,  such a situation can be very risky for someone interested in larger items like cooking equipment and  refrigeration units. 

The most likely route for someone interested in a larger item is to buy something locally.  Ads in newspapers and message boards and on sites like craigslist can be invaluable tools, as can good old fashioned word of mouth.  Buying large used pieces locally will not only save the restauranteur a lot of money on shipping, but will also present an advantage in that the seller will be local and, presumably, easy to find if something should go wrong.

Once the equipment is chosen, the savvy buyer will go to the site to confer with the seller and make a pre-purchase inspection.  The appliance, if electric, should be plugged in and tested in as thorough a manner possible.  The manufacturers of some major brands may have online resources that include the original product specifications and packing lists.  Printing these and taking them along to check off parts and any flaws may save the buyer a lot of trouble down the road. 

Although there is a limit to the measures a restaurant owner or purchaser can take in protecting themselves against the many potential problems that may come up as a result of buying used equipment, there is no reason why any transaction might not be satisfactory to all involved if these precautions are taken.

Next: Shipping and Delivery of Used Restaurant Equipment

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