BE SMART - BE forewarned. Buying used equipment
 

For those of you buying used equipment - which can be a GREAT value, OR.....your biggest NIGHTMARE..........a few "TIPS"!

WHO are you dealing with??

If it is a SALON owner:

- Do they know how to take apart the unit for you - properly?

-Do they know how to ship the unit to you - safely?

-What recourse will you have against them if it is NOT as they described? (harder to find, and if they are going out of business, maybe nothing to chase.....)?

-Do you know for sure they OWN the bed "free and clear" - and it doesn't actually belong to a leasing company or bank?

-When you buy it - assume you have to add to the sales price any cost to take it out (maybe), relamp it (almost always), maybe replace parts/plastics/acrylics, etc. And clean up so it looks "new to you" to your customers. Also - will you be able to receive it from a shipping company, get it off the pallet and install it or will you need to find an installer?


If it is a VENDOR:

- Do THEY know how to take the unit apart for you - properly (you would be surprised.....especially some of the "repo houses".....)?

- Are they actually ever even SEEING the unit and making sure it is in good shape, works as it should, etc --- or just buying it from one place and "flipping it" to you sight unseen?

- It is "used", sure. But what does that mean? Will it be refurbished (all the mechanicals checked out, plastics replaced if needed, new acrylics if needed,....)? Cleaned? Warranteed? Install available? Leasing?

Have you researched them on-line? Their company and whoever you are dealing with? There ARE some "bad eggs" out there -- make sure you don't wind up with one.....




Keep in mind WHAT goes into the "price". It isn't always apples to apples. In general, while you SOMETIMES get lucky and find a "diamond in the rough" ----- in general..........if it sounds "too good to be true".........it probably is!


Know what kind of buyer YOU are! If you like the "challenge" of finding a beat-up unit cheap and putting in the elbow grease (and $) to get it looking good - enjoy!!

But if you are a "nearly new" buyer that wants it to show up in your salon LOOKING like "new" to your customers, with a fresh sparkle and ready to plug in - then make sure you and your seller are on the same page with your expectations!


Don't get burned. Ask questions, ask around. Do your research. Make smart buying decisions.

Re: BE SMART - BE forewarned. Buying used equipment
 

I recently dealt with Robert K on two purchases/installs.
If there was any glitch or any issues (there were two very minor ones), he was right on it. *like* *recommend*

Also, big props to James at FI who, to me, is a top-notch professional in these matters.

My dealings with Matt A have also been fantastic, he is always above board, and went the extra mile for me.

I have a salon owner friend who was dealing with someone (not any of the 3 people mentioned above) on a nice deal on 'bartering' equipment to change his bed mix up a little, and after a month of following up to delayed responses and I dunnos, the deal was pulled off the table. In the end, this used equipment salesman didn't actually have the machines. He was hoping to just flip them, and he didn't obtain them from the original owner. A waste of a month for my friend, who passed up opps on some other good machines that were for sale at the same time, and now has to start from scratch just as season is starting. (No, that 'friend' is not me lol)
Sally is right. Great post, Sally.

Re: BE SMART - BE forewarned. Buying used equipment
 

No one mentioned the money. Do not pay until you have the beds. Simple to do, have a local attorney create an escrow account, and when equipment is delivered, have them release funds to the seller.

Re: BE SMART - BE forewarned. Buying used equipment
 

Another thing to remember, If it came out of a salon that closed find out just how long the beds have sat in storage and if it was a climate controlled storage. If not you never know what parts on that bed could be rusted or even worse if like a rat or something has chewed on wires or what not

Re: BE SMART - BE forewarned. Buying used equipment
 

You can do this for a portion of the funds - and not a bad idea.

However, there are very few if any equipment dealers - new or used - who will secure the unit, hold it until you are ready for delivery, do any refurbishing (if used and if your vendor provides that), new lamps, put it on a skid, pay to ship/deliver, line up installers and get in the salon without a portion upfront. Too many salon owners who are also sketchy and then "don't have all the money right now" and the bed is already in the salon and delivered.

Bottom line - do some research. Ask questions. Ask for references. Make sure you know you are dealing with someone reputable. And if they do a GOOD job by you - or a bad job - post it here in the community for others to be able to research from in the future.

Re: BE SMART - BE forewarned. Buying used equipment
 

I have a question, how do I find out the used price of or approximate value of commercial Spa Tanning equipment?

Don

Re: BE SMART - BE forewarned. Buying used equipment
 

Is it something you are trying to buy? Or sell.

You can post it here if you would like, or send me a PM.

There is no "blue book". Basically "value" is a function of:

1. Condition
2. Demand
3. Other variables (distance/cost to ship, cost to extract,...)
4. What someone is willing to pay

Re: BE SMART - BE forewarned. Buying used equipment
 

It is a local business trying to sell the equipment.

Spa Equipment
1 – Fully Automated Mystic Tan booth – 4 years old
1 – Hydration Station – 3 years old
1 – Hydration Station – 3 months old
1 – Therasage Massage bed – 2 years old
1 – 48 bulb VIP stand up bed with Platinum Sun Bronzing High Pressure bulbs – 5
years old
1 – 52 bulb VIP Platinum 12 min beds with Sun Bronzing High Pressure Bulbs and
4 facial Bulbs – 5 years old
1 – 52 bulb VIP Platinum 12 min beds with Sun Bronzing High Pressure Bulbs and
4 facial Bulbs – 3 years old
1 – 42 bulb VIP Platinum 15 min beds with Sun Bronzing High Pressure Bulbs and
3 facial Bulbs – 5 years old
1 – 42 bulb VIP Platinum 15 min beds with Sun Bronzing High Pressure Bulbs and
3 facial Bulbs – 5 years old
1 – 42 bulb VIP Platinum 15 min beds with Sun Bronzing High Pressure Bulbs and
3 facial Bulbs – 3 years old
1 – Lumiere Light Therapy machine –
1 - Teeth Whitening Machine -

Re: BE SMART - BE forewarned. Buying used equipment
 

This is a very good post. Has anyone heard of 2nd Suntan? They have a bed I am interested in and I had already thought of holding the funds in trust until the bed arrives. The pictures look great but the shipping is killer $1400 from across the country. I am in British Columbia and would love to find a bed between $5000 - $7000 at 160 to 180 watts 12 minute tan time 3-4 face tanners. It would be cheaper to find one closer ... any comments ... thanks

Re: BE SMART - BE forewarned. Buying used equipment
 

"or a bad job, post it here"... problem i've had with doing this is, my posts get deleted and i get threatening pm's for slander. (although that was on another sight)