Thoughts on refurbished equipment

[tamif]

Wondering about sign shop's opinions on refurbished machines. I am currently using a 6 yr old HP Latex 315. It has a few issues, but not a lot. The cutter that came with it is giving me a lot of issues and I'm finding it is fairly expensive to replace parts on it. I have found refurbished printer, cutter, and laminator packages that offer a 4 yr warranty. Is it wise to go with refurbished equipment or am I just wasting money on outdated equipment?

 

[Roland Certified Tech]

Make sure it is 100% completely working. Nozzle test, test prints, etc..
my worst repairs have been when customers purchase used printers.
they “got a good deal”, then they’re spending a bunch of money on the repairs to get it working properly..
So I guess it depends on the price you’re paying for the equipment. If it is just such a bargain and you’re willing to put a bunch of money into it.
I suppose the warranty package is good but are they going to honor it? Is it a reputable company you’re buying it from?
inkjet can be very finicky, especially if they have sat around and is the refurbish shop a printer refurbish shop?

If you were buying a used car…………

 

[cornholio]

A 4 year warranty is cool. What is under warranty. How long is this company in business? (How long will it stay in business...)
Depending on the age and usage of a device, 4 years is pretty far in the future.(Are parts still available then?)
This sounds highly suspicious to me. We sell and service new equipment and also our demo machines.(mostly not older than a year)
When you buy a HP that is short before a SMK1 or similar, youre in for a hefty invoice in the near future.

 

[Roland Certified Tech]

A 4 year warranty is cool. What is under warranty. How long is this company in business? (How long will it stay in business...)
Depending on the age and usage of a device, 4 years is pretty far in the future.(Are parts still available then?)
This sounds highly suspicious to me. We sell and service new equipment and also our demo machines.(mostly not older than a year)
When you buy a HP that is short before a SMK1 or similar, youre in for a hefty invoice in the near f

 

[Roland Certified Tech]

A 4 year warranty is cool. What is under warranty. How long is this company in business? (How long will it stay in business...)
Depending on the age and usage of a device, 4 years is pretty far in the future.(Are parts still available then?)
This sounds highly suspicious to me. We sell and service new equipment and also our demo machines.(mostly not older than a year)
When you buy a HP that is short before a SMK1 or similar, youre in for a hefty invoice in the near future.

Happy Swiss National Day!

 

[Broome Signs]

I you cant afford a new printer consider leasing one, in my experience second hand printers are always a bad news, if it was that good why did the last user get rid of it???
PB

 

[Foremander]

I had good luck with several used Roland printers, but also bought one absolute lemon that wasted weeks of time and aggravation

 

[netsol]

I you cant afford a new printer consider leasing one, in my experience second hand printers are always a bad news, if it was that good why did the last user get rid of it???
PB

as harry callahan said in the clint eastwood movies. a good man knows his limitations
YOU probably shouldn't have a used printer.

most of us do fairly well. OP can do well IF SHE HAS a good working relationship with a tech or tech company in her area

it is harder with one printer and no backup device.
EVERYTHING NEEDS ROUTINE MAINTENANCE.
do you have a friend local to you who can print any work due today if there is a breakdown?
do you have a signs 365 account yet?
(you still need someone local for when equipment breaks on the due date

think about this before making a decision

 

[Ron at Forest Litho]

The only situations in which I would do buy a used printer are: It was actually refurbished for real by a refurbisher I trusted, with warrantee. Or: It came from a business that suddenly folded for an unrelated reason (IE death of owner) and it is not too old. Or: you got it so dirt cheap it was worth the risk.

 

[tamif]

Make sure it is 100% completely working. Nozzle test, test prints, etc..
my worst repairs have been when customers purchase used printers.
they “got a good deal”, then they’re spending a bunch of money on the repairs to get it working properly..
So I guess it depends on the price you’re paying for the equipment. If it is just such a bargain and you’re willing to put a bunch of money into it.
I suppose the warranty package is good but are they going to honor it? Is it a reputable company you’re buying it from?
inkjet can be very finicky, especially if they have sat around and is the refurbish shop a printer refurbish shop?

If you were buying a used car…………

Thank you for giving me specifics I need to check on. I have not bought from them before. It is Wide Image Solutions. Have you heard of it before?

 

[garyroy]

Are you buying another HP or going with a different brand? If HP, you might have some limited technical fixing skills. Just make sure it's not older than what you have. If you're buying another brand like Roland or Mutoh, make sure you have a dealer close by your shop (within 30 minutes or so). At the price of new Rolands, you'd be crazy to buy a used one. My opinion of course. New printers can put out some pretty hi-def prints. The quality is getting crazy good with brilliant colors.