Every food business owner or manager wants to save money. A money saved is a money added to your income. However, sometimes, saving money in the short term period will cost you more money in the long term. Buying Used Restaurant Equipment instead of new equipment will save you money, but make sure to thin
k ahead. The money saved by purchasing used may not worth the risk it involves. However, in some cases, buying used restaurant equipment is a smart way to save some of your capital to purchase extra equipment you would not be able to buy if you purchase everything new.

Read on for the Pros and Cons of Buying Used Restaurant Equipment.

Pros of Buying Used Restaurant Equipment

• Less Expensive. New equipment comes with an expensive price tag. However, buying used equipment will save you start up cash that you can put toward your other restaurant equipment, first food order, insurances, payroll, or marketing expenses.

• Minimal Wear and Tear. Due to some failure of new restaurants, many second hand equipment has only been in service for a one or two years. You can attend to a restaurant auction, do a research and find out how long the business was open. Used equipment does not necessarily mean old. Inspect the equipment, look for signs of wear and tear like rust, missing parts and etc.

• Prices are not fixed. Sellers of used restaurant equipment are often open for price negotiations. If you’re good at bargaining, then don’t be scared to counter their offer.

• Freebies. If you’re buying quite a few pieces of used equipment from the same seller, ask for a freebie, such as a mixer, a prep table, or a toaster.

Cons of Buying Used Restaurant Equipment

• Lack of Warranties. Used kitchen equipment is commonly sold “as is” It means, if you bought it at the restaurant and it does not work, you are out of luck. This is the risk you take when buying used equipment. The good news is that many pieces of restaurant equipment are designed to last a long time. Make sure it still works before buying it and the small parts of the equipment are easy to replace.

• Possible Repair Expenses. If you do buy used restaurant equipment that breaks, then you may turn out spending more than if you had just bought a new equipment. However, certain pieces are better suited to purchase used and have a good chance of working properly for a long time.

Tips on Buying used Equipment

Do not buy kitchen equipment that has been used for more than three years. When buying restaurant equipment at auctions or used equipment brokers, ask how many years of regular use the equipment experienced. At a restaurant auction, it will possibly be the amount of years the restaurant was operating. With a used equipment broker, you will be the one to decide whether you can trust his or her words on how long the equipment has been used.

Commercial Gas Ranges, broilers and Ovens are all good nominees for buying used. Gas ranges have a long life span as far as restaurant equipment goes. This equipment has few moving parts, so an inspection will commonly expose any major problems, such as leaks, operational defects or missing parts. If you get the equipment examined to ensure that it is in working order, you can save a huge part of your capital by buying this equipment used.

Fun Food Thailand can supply your restaurant with the Commercial Cooking Equipment and supplies from industry-leading manufacturers. Find exactly what you need in Commercial Ranges & Hoods, Warming & Holding Equipment, Commercial Microwaves, Broilers & Griddles, Commercial Ovens, Commercial Fryers, Toasters & Waffle Bakers and Commercial Steamers. Need help finding an item? Call our expert team at +66 (0)98 398 9770 or email us at sales@funfoodthailand.com.