Q: Should I buy a new machine or a used one?

A: Depends. Generally speaking, you should always buy new unless

1. you find "such a deal" in used,
2. your budget doesn't allow it,
3. you are not going to keep the machine for more than 10 years (amortize) or in the case of a CNC machine, 5 years, or
4. The quality you want or need no longer exists in new.

Q: How old is that machine? I want a newer one.

A: Age is one of the most mis-understood characteristics of a used machine. Often times, a good used older machine is of better quality, will give better service, will last longer, and have a higher resale value than many new or young ones! How many brands are there that are poor even when they are new? How many brands are there that have no parts availability even when they are new? How many brands are there that are near impossible to work on or adjust, and there is no one to get advice from. The important questions are:

1. Was the machine a quality machine the day it was built?
2. Was it abused by it's previous owner, or was it well maintained, and is it in good operating order now?
3. Are there parts and support available now and for the foreseeable future?

If the answer to all of these questions is yes, then age is not important. If the answer to any one or more of these questions is no, then pass it by unless you can get it for a song. Remember, the life expectancy of a quality piece of machinery is not like a car (10-20 years), it's more like a human (75 years) or a house (100+ years).

Q: That's a nice machine, but don't I need to hire more guys before I buy any more machinery?

A: Many times, this is like putting the cart before the horse. While I am quick to agree that we all need bright, hard working people to grow any business, buying the machine first (and run it yourself or with a key person at first) will better justify sales growth and future hiring as opposed to the profits generated from a bigger payroll. Get the machine first, and add people as needed later.

A: Will you put a hold on that machine for me?

A: We hold machines with a 1/3 deposit for 60 days. On or before that date, the machine(s) must be picked and paid for. In extreme cases, we will hold the equipment for another 2 months, but it must be paid for in full within the first 2 month period. If the equipment is not picked up after the second 2 month period, or not paid for within the first 2 month period, the sale is null and void, and all monies forfeited. Please see our terms and conditions. Without a deposit, we can only hold the equipment for 48 hours, or until a scheduled inspection within 5 working days.

Q: What makes a successful fab business?

A: You need to produce a saleable product and or service faster, better, cheaper than your competitors at a profit.

Simple Example: Profit = gross sales - cost of steel and other materials - labor - expenses.

OUR JOB IS TO HELP YOU REDUCE YOUR COSTS!

Q: Why should I spend extra money for brand name machines? The imports are cheaper.

A: In your shop, you want speed. You want quality. You want a good reputation. You want pride in your product. You want profits.

Q: Why?

A:
Speed
If you are faster than your competitors, your cost of labor goes down! If you are slower than your competitors, they can sell the same product cheaper than you. Uh oh! Guess what, your gross sales go down.

Quality
If your widget breaks before the other brand, word will get around and you will loose customers. It also gets harder to sell and get repeat orders, raising sales expenses.

Reputation
You want a good name in the marketplace, or the business of selling your product at a profit is near impossible, not to mention sleepless nights and high legal costs.

Profits
No profit, no business. That's the difference between a business and a hobby.


Q: I don't need to buy the most expensive, fastest machine around, I am not a production shop.

A: You are either a production shop or a hobby shop. The difference? Profits and payroll. If you have a payroll, you need profits.

A hobby shop is just you. No profit. Just for fun. If you like to do things the slow, hard way, any old machine will do. You could bend metal between a couple of 2 x 4s! It is slow and sloppy, but it's ok, because you are only in it for fun, not money. Profits don't matter.

A production shop is a shop that needs to sell something for more than it costs to produce it (a profit) so it can pay for materials, labor and expenses. So, are you a production shop or a hobby shop?



Q: Why buy American when I can buy from a catalogue for much less?

A: It is cheaper to:

A) buy a machine for example; $1000.00, use it efficiently for 20 years and then sell it for $1000.00

or

B]) buy a machine for $500.00 every 10 years, struggle along with them and sell the second one (the first one broke) for $300.00

USA quality made machinery will last longer, work faster and easier, give better results and have a higher resale value than Asian or other cheaper machines. USA uses better quality steel and other raw materials and better workmanship/skilled labor. You get what you pay for? Try to get parts! Without them, you have to buy another whole machine! You paid double (maybe more than if the price went up since the first one), plus double freight charges, plus wear and tear on you and your brother in law's backs moving them. Offshore quality, parts availability and resale value is usually not as good as USA. The bottom line is that they may be cheaper, but not a good value, a poorer investment, not money spent wisely. You know what I mean!!!

Q: Can you explain in more detail what your appearances and condition of machines are?

A: Yes, please see the following definitions, as reprinted from the American Machinery Dealers Association standards (*Changed to our standards);

USED MACHINERY TERMS AND DEFINITIONS

As is: Machine offered in its present condition with no warranty or guarantee expressed or implied.

Where is: Machine offered where presently located with all costs of removal to be borne by the purchaser. The seller should specify where the machine is located.

F.O.B.: Free on board. Properly loaded in a manner acceptable to common carrier. The seller must specify if machine is offered f.o.b. (cars or trucks).

Sight Draft Bill of Landing: Shipping documents demanding evidence of payment in full prior to unloading.

Skidded: Machine fitted with suitable runners and cross pieces acceptable to commercial carriers.

New: Machine never used and never installed for service.

Unused: Machine never installed for service.

Overhauled: Machine restored to serviceable condition and checked under power.

Rebuilt (U.S.A.): Machine completely disassembled all worn or broken parts replaced, excessive wear compensated for, tested under power, and subject to standard 30-day guarantee.

Rebuilt (European): Machine completely stripped, bearing surfaces re-machined and worn or broken parts replaced where necessary The machine guaranteed to original limits of accuracy.

Rebuilt (Batavia Machinery, Inc)*: Machine completely disassembled, all bearings, worn or broken parts replaced, excessive wear compensated for, tested under power and within new machine accuracies, and subject to 180-day guarantee.

Reconditioned (*Very Good): Worn or broken parts replaced where necessary: machine adjusted for accuracy to stated limits and checked under power.

Excellent: Machine is well within new limits.

Good: Machine runs, but finished parts are not as good as new, machine is also possibly noisier than new or today's typical.

Fair: Machine is rough and don't expect too much. No return privilege or trade-up guarantees.

Trade-up guarantee: Guaranteed percentage of the amount of purchase price toward new or larger machine within certain time limits. See Terms and conditions page or call your salesman for more on this.

Inspection Under Power: Machine electrically connected for demonstration to representative or buyer.

First Refusal: First refusal is a hold for a clearly specified time during which seller is obligated to offer first right of purchase, for immediate acceptance, to holder of first refusal against any other purchaser.

Option: Option is a hold on machine for a clearly specified time during which seller cannot accept an order for machine except from holder of option. MORE TO FOLLOW.

IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION I HAVEN'T ANSWERED, PLEASE EMAIL ME AT ebatavia@prodigy.net

Thank you for your interest.

Eric Batavia, President

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