Posted by Seth Bracewell on Tuesday Mar 29, 2016 4:12 pm
It's Time! You are in need of a bucket or sign truck! Before you lock yourself into a deal that's going to cost thousands of dollars, there are a few things to look for and consider.
1) Price! Price! Price!
There are a lot of pieces of equipment and utility trucks out there for sale. If you don't have a clear idea of what you are looking for, and a reasonable price range, you may end up over-paying. There are a few ways you can protect your wallet during this process. To start, figure out exactly what you want. Drive, Transmission, Boom Height, Mileage and Body Model are all really important factors to focus on! Once you know what you are looking for, don't stop with the first person who has it for sale. Shop around! Take a look at what's out there, and the price ranges, and come up with an average idea of what the truck is worth. Once you know what you want and about what you should spend, you are ready for the next step.
2) Know the Seller!
This industry has created quite a market for Brokers. A broker is a third-person or middle man. They often times can be a benefit to a buyer because they research and have first hand knowledge and experience with multiple sellers. They also use the industry tools regularly, such as marketing websites and auctions, so they can find things a bit faster. But BEWARE there are a lot of brokers out there who aren't legit and will end up costing you more money.
While Brokers can be an asset in a sale, they are an asset you pay for. The fact still remains that you will get a better deal buying direct from a dealeror an owner as they will not be adding a broker commission to the sale. You are also afforded certain levels of protection when you buy from a licensed dealer. Licensed dealers are regulated by the state, so the first thing you should do is verify that the dealer is licensed. Then check their reputation. Don't be afraid to google your dealer. A truck purchase is a huge investment, and you don't want that investment to turn into a regret.
3) Personally Inspect the Equipment
If you are considering a purchase that is out of state for you, get as much information from the seller as you can upfront. You can ask for photos and videos of the truck running and the boom being operated. THEY ARE THERE TO SELL IT, so ask away. Don't spend time and money traveling to inspect a vehicle with a major problem you would have seen in pictures or a video.
4) Close The Deal
After you find the perfect vehicle or piece of equipment and you have checked out and verified who you are buying from, it's time to close the deal! Don't Wait! You don't want to take the chance of your dream truck getting away from you! Another plus if you choose to buy from a dealer, is the option to put a deposit down. This will often satisfy the seller long enough for you to finalize and secure financing. There are always additional legit fees that are added to a sale like this, registration fees, dealer fees, taxes etc. Just make sure they make sense and are not extreme.
*There are a lot of trucks and equipment out there for sale, if you need assistance finding what you are looking for at a decent price, give Monster Equipment a call! We'd love to make this experience a great one!