When seeking a forklift for your warehouse or distribution center, buying used often seems like an easy way to save money. However, used equipment carries risks that must be balanced against the potential cost savings. Understanding the major pros and cons of buying from a used forklift dealer can help guide your decision.
Pros and Cons of Used Forklifts
Let’s explore all the pros of buying used forklifts:
● Lower Upfront Costs. You can often buy a used forklift at about 50% the cost of new. This allows you to get more value for your initial equipment budget.
● Faster Availability. Used equipment is often already sitting on a dealer’s lot ready for purchase. You won’t have to wait months for delivery like you might with a new custom order.
● Certified Refurbishments. Reputable used dealers will thoroughly inspect, test and refurbish equipment before reselling. Look for certified refurbished machines that will be reliable for years of service.
So used forklifts are a good solution for businesses. Are there any cons of used forklifts:
● Shorter Service Life. There will be fewer years of usable service left compared to brand new. Make sure to understand a used truck’s age and hours to estimate its working life.
● Unknown Care History. It’s impossible to know how carefully a used forklift was maintained by previous owners. One with lacking maintenance could result in unexpected downtime and costs.
● Limited Features. Newer or custom features are often not available on older used models. Evaluate if lacking certain tech like telemetry could impact your operations.
Tips for Smart Buying of Used Forklifts
Get our main expert tip – first of all find the right used forklift dealer!
When aiming for the benefits without the risks, make sure that your used equipment dealer has:
● A large & rotating inventory. This provides selection to find just what you need. They should also offer short-term rentals to fill gaps pre- or post-purchase.
● In-house technicians & refurbishment. Look for extensive inspection, reconditioning and preventative replacement of parts like seals, cylinders, tires and filters.
● Return & warranty policies. Reputable dealers stand behind equipment sold with at least short-term coverage options. Don’t hesitate to use protections if issues arise immediately after purchase!
With the right dealer relationship, buying a used forklift machine can strike an advantageous balance of affordability and reliability. Take a little extra care when searching, negotiating and inspecting to ensure your savings don’t result in unexpected costs down the road.
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