Hi All, I was hoping to get some feedback on negotiating the price of a used mini-excavator for a first time buyer. This is not in regards to a particular brand, but rather about negotiating with a dealer or broker. 1. Are the advertised prices for used mini-excavators negotiable with dealers? If yes, then how much is reasonable? 2. Same question, but with respect to brokers. 3. Does the dealer/broker usually handle shipping/delivery (say within 200 miles) or is that an extra expense ($)? Thanks in advance, John
Of course they are negotiable. First you need to know what the going rate is for a particular sized machine with particular hours. Then you need to inspect the machine to ascertain it's condition. Then you haggle, if a dealer wants top money for a worn out and abused pile of junk, you need to know this and stand your ground. If they start the usual "ahh you gotta make a decision today, someone else is very interested in this machine" then tell em that the other person can have it and put the pressure back on them. If they claim it's been well looked after, ask them to prove it, some sales person spinning you a line to get a sale is not going to help you much when the hyd pump craps out the day after you get it home. When they tell you all the things that have been replaced/fixed you have to ask yourself why they needed fixing, poor operators? Generally an ex should go to at least 4000 hours before needing fixing. Part of the deal can be warranties and delivery. You are always best off to deal with a long established and reputable dealer who wants to keep their good reputation, particularly if they are the dealer for a particular brand because they can loose their franchise from that brand. It pays to pay a bit extra for a quality machine from a reputable dealer than to buy from a back yard operation.
Start low, you can always go up, but not down in price!
The prices that put on the advertise are always very negotiable, but down what kind of rates depends on the condition of the machine itself. I think you should offer the ideal price you want, then observe their reactions, if the price you offer is too low that they can't bear, then you can add the price little by little. Of course, you have first learn about the market, in this way you may buy the machine with the most reasonable price.
Yeah, the price is always what they would love to sell it for, without being completely stupid.