Looking for a forklift to add to your fleet can be a daunting task, overwhelming, to say the least. Many variables play into the decision, including whether to buy pre-owned or new.
With pre-owned equipment, you can get what you need, and it’s ready to hit the road running. Used equipment means not having to catch up on a loss from instant depreciation once the forklift leaves the lot.
With a new machine, the need for the business to recoup that expense somehow is always a consideration. It can be challenging to resale and achieve a monetary return.
That usually depends on how well the forklift was kept, its usage, and its age. If the machine gave good results, that, in itself, was a significant return.
Learn details on the forklift market as a buyer at https://www.mhlnews.com/transportation-distribution/article/21263905/forklift-market. Let’s look at why a buyer should consider a used forklift.
Why Should a Business Invest in Used Forklifts
Investing in used inventory for a business has many advantages, particularly in saving time, money, and effort from training staff on new equipment features. Many companies prefer old-school methodologies and don’t necessarily want or need modern forklift capabilities.
New forklifts range high in price, with the equipment drastically losing value the moment it’s hauled off the lot. With used machines, the depreciations have already happened. Updating the system is possible, potentially increasing the market value.
You can do this by upgrading parts, adding attachments or new features, and just keeping the equipment well-maintained. Why should a business consider used inventory over new equipment? Let’s look at the reasons this is a wise decision.
● Money and time savings are a huge incentive
When looking at your company budget and the costs associated with overall operations, an investment in new pieces of equipment can appear as an unnecessary luxury. That’s especially true when some pre-owned machines can be in virtual like-new condition at a competitive price, saving considerable costs.
When looking at new forklifts, you could consider a lower-quality new machine to get within your budget limits, but that same price range could see a high-quality second-hand forklift.
Sometimes, companies liquidate a fleet that has only been used lightly, leading to an exceptional deal compared to what you would get with a new option.
In this scenario, you might be able to pick up two of the second-hand machines for the price of a brand-new piece of equipment. Click here to learn whether a used forklift is worth your company’s money.
● Rapid availability
When you place an order for a new forklift, the timing to receive the equipment can be a few weeks or possibly months. That could lead to significant downtime on your job site if your machines are out of service.
That not only means a great expense for the forklift but losing money on the job with the potential to lose clients. Used inventory is almost always available immediately, with the equipment usually in stock. That means work can progress without delay, and clients stay happy.
You not only save money on the equipment, but the rapid availability prevents the potential for wasted time on the job site, keeping you on deadline and saving the possibility of lost work due to downed machines.
● Maintenance is straightforward and simple
Mechanics in the company will have a better time with forklift upkeep when investing in used inventory since the technology is familiar and the parts are accessible.
With new machines, the mechanics can be more complex. Technicians could need intricate training to perform the work, plus the parts can take more time for delivery. A lot of second-hand machines come with a warranty. These forklifts are generally inspected and have been repaired by experts in the business.
A lot of companies opt for used forklifts for sale since new equipment is not only costly but has a learning curve with the features, or you need to buy attachments to satisfy your specific needs, wasting time and more money.
Most companies selling used forklifts aim to supply the highest level of quality and ensure extended longevity. The buyers expect nothing less and will pay the extra dollar for a good piece of used equipment over a lower-quality new machine that will likely need to be replaced sooner rather than later.
Final Thought
Many forklift manufacturers exist in the market, not all are created equal, but most are of the same mindset on quality and longevity, which stands true for used forklift inventory.
Most times than not, a buyer can find a used machine of a high quality within the budget price they would have spent for a lesser quality brand new piece. You don’t want to buy something new simply to say you have a brand-new machine.
That doesn’t speak to its functionality. Overall, it could be cheap, the parts and features, with a rapid decline, while the second-hand equipment is solid and could last for an extended lifespan. There’s something to be said for old school in any market.