When printing enterprises urgently need to increase equipment to adapt to development, or need to invest in new fields without taking too much risk, they usually choose used printing equipment. Enterprises that decide to purchase used printing equipment vary in size, but for whatever reason, companies will not casually invest large sums of money. Therefore, it is very necessary to conduct thorough investigations before purchasing.
If you wish to buy used printing equipment through professional suppliers, the first step is to find a legitimate supplier. At this point, printing enterprises can learn online or through recommendations from peers about which suppliers have good reputations and strong capabilities. Typically, suppliers who specialize in dealing with used printing equipment year-round are relatively more reliable in terms of capital, inventory, and service.
Currently, used printing equipment holds an important position among many domestic printing enterprises. While continuously adapting to and meeting the current demand for printing equipment in China, it also plays a crucial role in supplementing the sales market for printing equipment. With China's entry into the WTO, printing enterprises have more demand for and choices of used equipment, making the used equipment market more complex. Although the investment in used printing equipment is much smaller than that in new equipment, the risks involved in purchasing are significant. Regarding how to select used printing equipment and what issues to consider when purchasing, our reporter interviewed relevant experts, used printing equipment suppliers, and users. Related article: How to Select Used Printing Equipment
At present, units directly engaged in the operation of used printing equipment are divided into four types in terms of system: state-owned, joint ventures, collectives, and private businesses. Among them, dealers with excellent technology and complete after-sales services can improve the mechanical precision and printing quality of used printing equipment after refurbishment to varying degrees compared to when it was sold. They can also provide comprehensive after-sales technical services and equipment spare parts. On the other hand, suppliers with insufficient technical strength only disassemble, clean, and reassemble old equipment, improving the appearance quality without enhancing the internal quality.
According to Mr. Pan Zhikai of Deep Blue Printing Machinery Trading Co., Ltd., the used printing equipment sold by suppliers mainly relies on specialized foreign agencies. They obtain information on various used printing equipment from these agencies and determine prices based on the condition of the equipment. They then go through the approval process at the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film, and Television and related departments to obtain import licenses, finally passing through customs. In the eyes of printing enterprises, the complicated source of used printing equipment may not seem important, but in reality, understanding its origin is essential when selecting used printing equipment. Here, we might as well listen to the experts' advice.
Mr. Pan Zhikai believes that good imported used printing equipment has a lower depreciation rate, and with proper use and maintenance, even after several years of use, the company won't lose much upon further depreciation.
3. Market Price Investigation
Abroad, some enterprises with extremely high requirements for efficiency and quality sell their printing machines after they recover the cost. Of course, government incentives would encourage printing enterprises to update their equipment. Therefore, whether in terms of usage rate or depreciation level, imported used printing equipment is an ideal choice and is favored by users.
Product Source
Preliminary Investigation
Selecting used printing equipment involves issues such as brand, function, and type, similar to buying new equipment. Therefore, printing enterprises need to decide on the equipment model, format, function, and printing capacity based on their actual number of printing jobs, product structure, and quality grade. For example, understanding whether the original equipment was used for printing cardstock or thin paper and whether it meets their needs. Usually, equipment originally used for thin paper can be used for both thin paper and cardstock after adjustment; however, equipment originally used for cardstock can only print cardstock and cannot handle thin paper.
One of the reasons printing enterprises buy used printing equipment is to save money. To get the most suitable equipment for the least amount of money, one must first thoroughly understand the market price of used printing equipment. Currently, China stipulates an annual depreciation rate of 10% for old equipment. Therefore, buyers can combine this regulation with the actual condition of the equipment, using the market price of similar new products as a reference for reasonable valuation.
2. Own Equipment Needs
1. Supplier's Reputation and Service
Therefore, users must be extra cautious when choosing a supplier. Mr. Pan Zhikai reminds users to understand the commitments made by merchants in terms of pre-sales and after-sales services, including specifics like warranty period, content, whether installation and debugging are provided on-site, delivery transportation details, and associated costs.
Mr. Li Yanzhai, who has considerable experience in selecting printing equipment, told us that the sources of used printing equipment in the domestic market mainly come from three channels: one is equipment eliminated by domestic manufacturers; two is discarded second-hand printing equipment; three is directly imported second-hand printing equipment, primarily branded equipment used in Europe, Japan, and other regions.