X-George_Greene
Imported Account
Feb 5, 2004, 2:25 PM
Post #4 of 6
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Re: Buying used/inexpensive equipment BE CAREFULL
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Usually I don't post to forums because I am a broker. This is not the place to do sales. I'll apologize up front for posting here. This issue is important though. There are very few bad brokers out there but there are some. For what it is worth, a broker should perform the service of helping you buy the right gear and holding your money until the seller has delivered the item in the condition that was described. If there are problems, a negotiation for repair can often be worked out in the form of a discounted price or in extreme cases an item can be returned. The broker usually arbitrates as per the terms of sale. The fact that the broker holds the money is a safeguard against scams. Of course you have to trust the broker. Ones who have been around a while under the same name are usually the legit guys. In fact many of us brokers work in what we call "coopetition", buying and selling to each other because we can't have everything all the time for our customers. We also tend to know who the bad guys are. There's one guy all of us brokers know who changes his business name(s) and even his personal name over and over! There is actually a posting about this guy (under his current names)in these forums. Another large outfit likes to use you as a bank and delay payment to sellers 90 days or more.
If you work with a broker and it goes well, keep working with them. Ask others who have bought used gear. Talk to your buddies in the larger production houses as they are likely to have been using brokers for a while.
Sellers should describe the gear as accurately as possible with hour readings and general condition. Pictures help immensely. Sellers, as a condition of sale, need to guarantee that the item is free of leins and encumbrances. They should also always be able to provide a serial number. www.productionequipment.com is the URL for PERA, a stolen gear database. Sellers need to pack the gear to FedEx specs (NEVER use UPS) and insure it because they own it until the buyer accepts it.
There has been talk of a broker's association with buyer, seller and broker bills of rights but even if it gets going there is no guarantee involved -just kind of a mutual seal of approval and an agreement to abide by best business practices by us coopetition guys.
Be aware that there are responsibilities on the buyer's part too. It is uncool to say you'll buy something, have the sender box it up and ship it across the country only to decide that, "Gee I didn't really need this thing". Know what you want, ask questions before you buy, and keep your committments. All legit brokers will give you a checkout period -usually 48 hours. Request more if it is a complex item like a non-linear system, you'll usually get it. Don't wait until after the checkout period has expired and then call with a complaint. Once the checkout period is done the seller is paid and the deal is over. Unless otherwise stated used gear is almost always sold as-is with no warranty. Once you sign off on it it belongs to you so use your checkout period wisely. Call in a tech you know. Bring it to a dealer. It may cost you something but you will know what you've purchased.
Auction sites can be sources of good deals but be aware that the sellers will want to be paid up front meaning the seller now holds all the cards. The ratings on sites like E-Bay are an indicator of the sellers desire to keep doing business there. If you are buying person to person some brokers will act as an escrow service for a small percentage (we have to eat too!).
Finally, if it doesn't feel right don't do it.
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