Buying Used Machinery
Posted by Castle on 16th Oct 2024
Whether you're thinking about buying a machine at auction or directly from the original owner, before you “take that deal,” there are a few really important things you should look into first:
1. Are parts still available for that model? Here at Castle, we stock lots of older model parts, and though our machines last for decades, even we are forced to sometimes discontinue parts, due to our inability to continue sourcing quality components. We strongly advise that anyone considering a used machine, check with the manufacturer to make sure parts are still available. Otherwise, you might be getting a “good deal” on an unusable machine, or on a machine that won’t have a very long service life due to parts obsolescence.
2. Is the manufacturer able to provide service and/or technical support? Sometimes we see machines – from a variety of manufacturers – whose original product introduction date is far behind what most manufacturers can provide support on. Our advice is to again, check with the manufacturer BEFORE you buy!
3. Are you sure you want to risk inheriting previous owner’s problems? This is especially true of machinery bought at auction, where you’ll get limited – if any – service history. We like to think that machine owners everywhere are diligent about maintenance and service but realistically, that is not the case in most used machinery sales.
4. If you’re thinking of buying a used Castle machine or assembly table, Castle will provide you with the same world-class customer support that we do to our customers! Please note that because Castle machines hold their value REALLY well, you should compare the cost of buying new, with our full warranty and current promotions, before you buy a used Castle product.