There are positive points as well as negative points to buying both kinds of catering appliances. That’s why we are writing an article that highlights both the pros and cons of first hand and second hand catering equipment.
Commercial catering equipment
People tend to look straight at new equipment because of the simple fact that it is exactly that, new! There is just something more appealing about having a shiny new piece of equipment delivered and unwrapping it rather than picking up a second hand piece of equipment.
When you buy a new piece of catering equipment you can expect it to be fully functional and operational as well as free from any damage or defects.
Other positives that come with buying new includes the reduced likeliness of a breakdown, a warranty/guarantee, having the latest trends and technologies, as well as the majority having a longer lifespan than most second hand catering equipment.
Looking deeper into those points, you’re less likely to have a breakdown with a brand new piece of equipment since it hasn’t been used before. There’s no wear and tear on any of the internal parts since it have never been used before. Of course, there is still always the off chance that an issue can occur, however it’s very unlikely. If you do have any issues, when you buy a new piece of catering equipment you have a set warranty tat comes with it which covers you for a set amount of time after the purchase. So it means you don’t have to fork out for any costly repairs depending on what the issue is.
This also links in with the fact that you tend to get a longer lifespan with new machines as they haven’t been used yet.
If you’re someone who likes to be in the loop with all the latest technology then that might be your main motivation for buying brand new as opposed to second hand.
However, with the positive comes the negative.
Buying new comes with a bigger price tag and higher up front cost than if you are planning on buying second hand. Granted you might be getting more for your money with a brand new piece of catering equipment, but if you’re just looking for something that works and it doesn’t need to have all the bells and whistles on it like some of the latest models do, then it might be better for you to buy a second hand piece of commercial catering equipment.
Purchasing Second Hand Equipment
When it comes to the positives of buying second hand catering equipment, the main bonus is cost. A second hand piece will no doubt be cheaper than if you bought the same piece of equipment brand new. You’re also being environmentally friendly since you’re reusing a piece of equipment rather than it being sent to the tip and then onto landfill.
It’s important to be aware that second hand doesn’t mean something that has been well used. You can purchase second hand equipment that has been categorised as ‘like new.’ This means the equipment has been used however it’s in a extremely good condition, close to what you would receive as new. Some like new piece of catering equipment may even come with a warranty depending on the retailer you’re purchasing from.
And depending on what condition you purchase your equipment in, you may be in a position to sell it on after you have had your use from it. Second hand catering equipment depreciates a lot slower than brand new commercial equipment does. So as long as you take good care of it, keep it regularly serviced and maintained, you may be able to sell it on for close to what you purchased it for.
Buying second hand means you’ll be saving money (which we mentioned above) but have you thought about what you could be spending that extra money on? You could be pushing your marketing and advertising, upgrading your decor or even hiring extra kitchen or front of house staff.
But again, there are cons that come with purchasing second hand commercial kitchen equipment.
When you’re buying a second hand, you can’t be 100% sure on the quality since you’re buying from an unknown supplier. You’re going off someone else’s description of the equipment and sometimes it might not be as accurate as you think. It also means you may not be getting a warranty with the equipment, so if you do have any issues, you have to pay out of your own pocket to get it sorted.
Commercial catering equipment
It does all depend on your personal circumstances and budget whether you want to buy first or second hand, it’s completely up to you. Both types of catering equipment have their positives and negatives, there’s no right or wrong as every commercial kitchen has different needs. We hope this article has helped you and educated you on the differences of first and second hand commercial catering equipment, however this is another option that we haven’t yet mentioned.
If you do not want to buy your equipment outright, you do have the option to lease equipment from catering companies such as NWCE Foodservice Equipment. Leasing equipment means you have brand new equipment without that major upfront payment. NWCE also include a service plan in with their lease contracts which means you know your equipment will also be in the best possible condition. It also means you can rotate your equipment in a way that you might not be able too if you were purchasing your equipment. These contracts can be created bespoke to the needs of your establishment. If you would like more information on leasing commercial catering equipment or want to know more about catering equipment maintenance , you can contact us now or over the phone on 0161 764 8688
Some blogs you may have missed:
WHY YOU NEED TO KEEP ON TOP OF YOUR CATERING EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE
HOW TO KNOW IF YOU’RE INVESTING IN THE RIGHT KITCHEN EQUIPMENT
