What Are the Pros and Cons of Buying a Used Generator for My Business?

Posted by Depco Power on Fri, Mar 18, 2016

generators_1.pngI know that my company needs a generator because I cannot go without power for any length of time, and the power in my area goes out quite often. If my company does not have a reliable power source, then I am going to lose profitability and clients very fast. In order to prevent this from happening, I need to get a generator that can power my whole building and ensure that everything functions smoothly, even if my area happens to be going through a blackout. The big question is whether I should buy a brand new generator or try and find a used one. 

What Are the Benefits of Buying a Brand New Generator? 

If I am going to buy a brand new generator, I need to think about the reasons why this is justifiable. A new generator can be quite a bit more expensive than a used one, and I need to have valid reasons for spending the extra money. 

The first thing that is appealing about a brand new generator is that it will have limited guarantees and warranties that come with it. This means that any problems with the unit within the first few years will be taken care of by the manufacturer at little or no cost to me. This sounds very good, especially since the weather in my area can be bad and the generator may get damaged at some point or another. 

Another benefit of buying a brand new generator is that I won’t have to worry about transporting it to my business and installing it myself. The companies I have spoken with already are more than willing to bring the generator to my building and hook everything up for me. This is great, because it may be expensive to rent a large truck or trailer that’s capable of toting the generator and also to hire someone that knows how to properly hook one up. I can also rest easy knowing that the generator was installed by professionals who work for a reputable company.

 One of the main reasons I would consider buying a brand new generator is that the unit will obviously have no wear and tear. A brand new generator is going to be in perfect condition and shouldn’t have any type of problems for a long time. I can also feel good knowing that I am the first person to provide the machine with maintenance and that I will be doing it on a regular schedule, ensuring everything is done properly. I know that I take care of my important investments, especially if it comes to the preservation of my company, which is why this is so crucial to me. 

What Are the Pros of Buying a Used Generator? 

When considering a used generator, the most obvious benefit to me is the savings on the initial cost. A used industrial generator can be purchased anywhere from 20-50% cheaper than a brand new one. However, there are some things I need to think about before I go out and spend money with a private seller or a distributor that is offering used generators. 

One of the benefits of buying a used generator is that some reputable companies offer them. Buying a used generator from a reputable distributor allows me to get a quality product at a discounted price, even if it has been used before. A generator company wants to ensure their brand name is preserved, so they are going to run thorough tests on any used generators they are selling. Also, a distributor may offer a limited warranty on a used generator, even if it doesn’t cover near as much as the warranty on a brand new unit. I can still have the generator delivered and installed by a professional if I choose to buy the used generator from a distributor as well. 

What Are the Cons of Buying a Used Generator for My Company?

 If I buy a used generator from a private seller, then I am likely going to spend the least amount of money on the system. A private seller is more than likely going to negotiate prices with me, and this is something that interests me a lot. However, I don’t know if the person who is selling me the generator is telling me the truth about how much maintenance they have provided their unit with while they owned it. Also, they could lie about several things and I wouldn’t know any better until I experienced the problems myself. If the generator had extensive repair work done, the previous owner could simply omit this fact and leave me none the wiser. I don’t want this to happen and end up risking the productivity of my business, which is one of the biggest downsides that I see to buying a used generator. 

Another worrisome aspect of buying a used generator is that I will likely have to hire someone to pick up the generator and bring it to my business to be installed. I will have to put a lot of trust in the person transporting the generator, and I will also have to trust that the person installing it knows what they’re doing. There aren’t many big name generator companies that are willing to send someone to my company and install a generator for me, especially if it’s not their particular brand. 

Overall, the most beneficial type of generator for me to buy is a brand new one. However, because my company is not yet well-established, this option is out of the question. A used generator from a distributor, though, is more feasible and makes me feel better about whom I am dealing with. There are just too many risk factors in buying a used generator from a private seller for me to go that route. After putting some serious thought into it, this is the determination I have come up with.

Tags: used generators

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