6 Tips for Buying used Agie Charmilles Machines
When starting a new manufacturing process, many people decide to buy used machinery. Everyone does this since they have a limited budget, and new equipment can be quite costly. So, they choose to go in another direction and look for used pieces.
If you are thinking about doing the same thing, you have to be careful. Unfortunately, you can never know whether the ad description is accurate and whether you will get the money’s worth. Because of this, there are certain things you have to consider, and here are some of them.
Research the market
Unless you already have a seller, you need to do market research. Start by looking for all available options, and make a shortlist. How to do this? Well, you need to investigate each seller. Firstly, go over their offer, read the descriptions of each item, and don’t forget to go over the customer review section. These comments will tell you everything you need to know. We are not talking only about the quality of pieces they sell but also about their attitude and how they conduct their business. Naturally, not all comments will be great, meaning that you will surely come across some negative reviews. However, the trick is to know whether these comments should be a deal breaker or not.
Compare prices
Now that you have a list of trustworthy sellers, it is time to inspect the prices of their pieces. If this is your first contact with this equipment, you should conduct research beforehand to know the average price of these pieces. This way, you will immediately understand if some machines are overpriced, or on the other hand, too cheap. When it comes to Agie Charmilles machines, most sellers will display their prices on the website, and you can various parts on Taguti.net.
There are a lot of consumable parts for agie chamilles such as diamond wire guides, polished power feed contacts or die blocks and pinch rollers that need replacing from time to time. Therefore, finding a store with the original parts and affordable prices is really important to keep your machine working!
Now, there is a trap most people fall into, and it can cause severe problems in the future, so you have to be very careful. We understand that you are on a tight budget and that saving money is always a good thing, but still, this doesn’t mean you should buy machines that are way too cheap. There is probably a good reason for this, and in most cases, it means that the pieces are damaged somehow. You should only proceed with this purchase if you have a trusted source, someone you have collaborated with before.
Inspect the machine
Once you have found a trustworthy seller, you need to inspect the equipment yourself. Obviously, you have to begin with a visual inspection. Make sure to thoroughly check every part of the machine, look for any apparent scratches or damage. Is there evidence of misuse? Is there evidence of previous repairs? If this is the case, you need to inquire about them. Learn what the problem was, when it occurred, and how it was fixed. Is the machine in good condition? Here, we are talking about maintenance. Sometimes you can find pieces that have been used for years, and they still look pretty good due to regular maintenance. Needless to say, you should only consider these options.
Noise check
Visual inspection of the machine should never be enough. A piece can look perfectly good, and some issues still may exist. So, when you go and meet with the seller, make sure to ask them to show you how the machine works. There are several reasons for this. First of all, this way you will learn about the features, and understand whether it is the right choice for you, but we will discuss this later on. Secondly, you will be able to hear if there are some strange noises. Obviously, these are a sign of current or potential problems and repairs you will have to pay for in the future. Now, not every sound should be a deal breaker. Finding a machine in pristine condition for a fair price can be quite challenging sometimes, but you need to know the difference between different types of issues. Some of them are easy to repairs, while others can prove to be quite complex.
Obtain documentation
This is a crucial step you cannot skip. Before you sign the contract, ask the seller if they possess all the necessary papers. Firstly, you will learn whether the machine was serviced regularly, if any significant repairs were performed in the past, whether these were done by a team of professionals or not, etc. This information will give you a clear idea of the current condition of the piece and if you should expect any issues in the foreseeable future.
Furthermore, you will also learn about the features of it and how everything works. When purchasing any kind of machinery, it is vital you get familiar with every detail about it. Naturally, you have to get something that can meet every requirement on your list. Finally, you also need to obtain instructions that will tell you how to use the machine properly.
Negotiate the price
Okay, this may not always be possible, and in some cases, it won’t get you anywhere, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t at least try. This can be especially beneficial if you are buying the machine from the previous owner. Their main goal is to make a sale, so they are probably willing to change the cost a bit. Clearly, you cannot expect them to lower the price significantly. Still, this is a good way for you to save some money, which is an essential asset when starting a new business.
Wrapping up
To sum up, these are some general tips you should follow when buying a used Agie Charmilles. As you can see, you don’t only have to inspect the piece itself, but you also have to do sort of a background check on the person you are buying it from. Your main goal is probably to get the best machine you can within your price range, so you have to invest some time and effort into finding it. The equipment is, without a doubt, your most valuable asset, so you have to make a well-informed decision, and you can’t do that after a quick online search.
