Advantages and disadvantages of buying used restaurant equipment

Is used restaurant catering equipment a good choice? Yes, because you can buy it much cheaper. At the same time, this choice involves a certain risk. Well, it may have hidden defects. Nevertheless, still the decision to purchase it is in the category: profitable.

Running a restaurant involves frequent expenses. Most often they involve the purchase of catering equipment and appliances. When considering the purchase of used equipment for your restaurant, you need to consider all the “pros” and “cons” of this decision. We will tell you what are the most important benefits and disadvantages associated with the acquisition of this type of equipment. We will also point out what you can do to extend the service life of the purchased used equipment.

WHY SHOULD YOU CONSIDER BUYING USED RESTAURANT EQUIPMENT?

Buying used catering equipment for your restaurant means a number of advantages.

The financial benefits come to the fore. You’ll pay much less for used equipment than you would for new equipment, even those available on installments. This is a cost-effective solution, especially when you’re at the beginning of the road of starting your business or when you want to expand your services, and you’re not sure how your guests will take to the new offerings. Because of the lower cost, you can also purchase a lot more equipment, allowing you to operate much more efficiently.

Secondly, this type of equipment is usually available off-the-shelf. This means that as soon as you plug it in, you can start working on it and familiarize yourself with its functions. This also saves a lot of time.

Third, when you buy used catering equipment, you give it a second life. Thus, you contribute to environmental protection, as you reduce the amount of electronic waste.

POTENTIAL DRAWBACKS AND RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THE EQUIPMENT USED

As you can see, acquiring used equipment for your restaurant kitchen is quite a lot of advantages. Unfortunately, at the same time, it is a decision that involves some risks. Which one?

Used equipment may – but does not have to – have hidden defects or faults.

With the naked eye you are not able to judge it. Here you have to rely mainly on the honesty of the seller. You can minimize this risk somewhat by asking to present periodic inspection cards for the equipment, or ask to run it and demonstrate its capabilities. Before that, however, you need to gain as much knowledge as possible about the proper operation of the equipment you want to buy.

Used catering equipment is usually no longer under warranty.

Unfortunately, this type of equipment does not come with a warranty, only the seller’s assurance that it is still fully operational. Therefore, such equipment is best purchased stationary, that is, with the opportunity to check its correct operation.

When acquiring used equipment for a restaurant, you also need to consider the need for additional costs.

They may be due to the fact that the acquired equipment will require replacement parts or repair.

The shorter lifespan of such equipment is another downside.

Consider, however, that this does not have to be the case at all. Much depends on several factors in this regard:

The time and use of the equipment by the previous owner;
of how the owner of the facilities took care of them.

Check also: Ergonomics of the chef’s workstation for health and productivity

THE ROLE OF CATERING EQUIPMENT SERVICE IN THE PURCHASING PROCESS

When deciding to buy used equipment, it is very important that you take advantage of the services provided by a professional catering equipment service as soon as possible. Why? The specialist will make a detailed diagnosis of the technical condition of the purchased equipment. It will assess whether the device is operational and safe to use. Besides, the analysis will reveal any hidden defects, and if necessary, the technician will make the necessary repairs. This will also give you the assurance that your equipment will serve you much longer. This assessment will also ensure the reliability of the equipment in the future.

PRACTICAL TIPS FOR BUYING AND SERVICING USED EQUIPMENT

When buying used equipment for your restaurant, follow these rules:

check the actual condition of the equipment you are purchasing – ask for the opportunity to test its operation;
pay attention to the date of manufacture of the equipment you want to buy – this is important because of possible difficulties related to the availability of replacement parts;
inquire whether the device is still under warranty – ask for the warranty card; this will help you avoid higher costs should repairs become necessary;
ask for an instruction manual – this is extremely important, especially with equipment you haven’t stocked before; the manual will also make it easier for your employees to operate the equipment safely;
ensure that you are given time for the eventual return of the purchased equipment.

It is also very important that you use a trusted catering equipment service right after you make your purchase. This way you will not only gain confidence that your equipment will work properly. A service such as our SPERTO, for example, also stocks original spare parts for most catering equipment and from very different periods of production. This will allow you to quickly replace the faulty component, and by choosing to regularly service, maintain and service the equipment you have purchased, you will be able to enjoy its functionality for a very long time to come.