Some pieces of equipment are more essential than others when starting a restaurant, and they don’t get much more essential than a commercial refrigerator. The problem is they can get pretty expensive, too. So, do you pay out for a brand-new model or take advantage of preowned units for sale online? Here are some of the pros and cons.
The Benefits Of Getting A Preowned Commercial Fridge
1) Immediate Availability
This is the first benefit that comes to mind with ads and imminent auctions for used commercial fridges. When you’re trying to get a new business off the ground and create a strong foundation, you want your key equipment in place as soon as possible. With a new dining establishment, that means getting the kitchen and storage facilities together before anything else. If you had to open a couple of days earlier for better numbers or publicity, could you do it? A preowned fridge is ready to take off someone’s hands, providing you have the money and transportation set up. Depending on how you buy a used commercial fridge, you can get a better idea of its condition, too. Buying in person lets you see it up close and kick the tyres, figuratively speaking, to be sure of your purchase. Buying at auction means someone else has done that for you and created an accurate listing. Then it’s all yours with no waiting period. You’re not worrying about an item being in stock or a company delivering it on time.
2) Older Doesn’t Make It Worse
You might be a little skeptical when you see these ads for a used commercial refrigerator and expect that the model is going to be as good as a newer version. That might be the case with some fridges that are a lot older, and we’ll discuss that more in a moment, but you might also end up with something great. Let’s take the previous owner at their word for a moment and assume the fridge is still in full working order. How long have they had it, and how successful were they during that time with this fridge? Did it cover all their needs without fault during that time? Does it have parts and features that the brand ended up cutting back on in modern versions to save money? You could strike gold here.
3) The Cost
The most convincing benefit, however, could be the price. Older fridges with some mileage on them should be a lot cheaper than getting a new one. They’re still going to be costly if you want a decent one, just not as costly as something state-of-the-art. You could save a considerable amount on the sale price, and you also won’t have to worry about shipping costs. The money you save on this cheaper model can then go back into other important costs toward starting a restaurant. You can put it towards the decor or other renovations on the building, on getting better quality stock for your grand opening, or on your advertising budget to get the word out.
The Downsides Of Buying A Preowned Commercial Refrigerator
1) Too Good To Be True?
The concern with these used fridges is that they may not be as good as advertised. You’re less likely to get conned when working with auction sites because you have an independent third-party seller checking the goods and providing accurate reports. With classified ads and social media posts, there may be a little stretching of the truth. There may be some more years of use than they say or issues with the internal workings they don’t want you to know about. The worst-case scenario here is you end up buying something that breaks down on you a month later.
2) Newer Models And Long-Term Value
New fridges are more expensive and could take a massive chunk out of your budget when starting. However, you have to consider whether this purchase is a wise long-term investment. If you buy the very best fridge with the right efficiency rating and best features, it could end up proving to be more beneficial than the bargain used model. A quality unit like this will also come with a long warranty and a guarantee of a long life ahead. It could see you through the early years of your business with ease, and if there is an unforeseen problem, you’re covered.
Where To Buy Used Commercial Refrigerator
There are a few options for buying second-hand goods like this. The most convenient, especially if you’re taking over an old establishment, is to buy the equipment as part of the deal. A job lot offer on a business can save time and money. The problem, however, is that you may also end up with something that doesn’t work. If the old owners had to shut down due to code violations, you’re going to want to clear the kitchen and storage out and start over. Alternatively, you could look at a model used by another business via an online ad. This will allow you to see the fridge, its features, and potential wear and tear up close. Yet, you’re also taking the owner at their word a lot.
A better option is to buy a used fridge via an online auction site. You aren’t going to get to see the equipment up close for a personal inspection, but a reputable company will have carried out that inspection for you. The best auction sites have listings that highlight the condition of the fridge, with notes about its age and imperfections, and then let you put in a bid. You aren’t necessarily going to be successful if a rival wants it more and has a higher budget, but you could also end up with a bargain if no one else is interested.
Used Commercial Refrigerator: Yes Or No
The final decision ultimately comes down to your budget and your ability to trust a reliable provider. Buying preowned fridges directly from previous owners has its risks, but those aren’t such a concern when working with auction sites instead. You can get a bargain on a model that will suit your needs and get you set up in your business. You are then free to focus on other costs in starting a restaurant and use future profits to upgrade the fridge in the future. Talk to your business partners and see what’s available.
