I have greatly enjoyed this forum for the the past year because it has been a great platform for screen printers to connect and sell equipment. It was a great way for both buyers to save some money and sellers to get a good return for their used equipment.
However, now it seems that 80% of the postings are from brokers who do not actually own the machines and usually add nothing to the sale. There are those brokers who have made their "product" a guarantee of parts and labor for a certain period of time beyond the sale, but the markup over the amount they are paying the seller for the equipment is well above what the ACTUAL cost of repairs would be.
What does this boil down to:
Sellers make less on their equipment
Buyers pay more for their equipment
Brokers come out on top by adding nothing to the deal...
Is there a way to regulate the posting parties by PRIVATE and COMMERCIAL?
My $.02
There are 10 Comments
Re: A little disturbed.....
It is your decision to deal with a broker or not.
Some brokers do add value to the deal, they inspect equipment for the buyer, oversee loading and crating, negotiate with a seller that doesn't want to be sidetracked from his day to day duties to sell a piece of equipment by answering every call they get from a buyer (or tire kicker) and help locate specific machines that are not listed on message boards.
A broker doesn't have to just sit at a computer and middleman deals, some do only that and some do a lot more than that.
My $.02 says it's free country. You have the right to choose with whom you spend your money.
Re: A little disturbed.....
newbie here.....agree completely.
Re: A little disturbed.....
While some may not like to deal with brokers...or whatever you may call them.
I am new to the industry and I have been communicating with Jason - EliteScreen 21.
His knowledge has been great for helping me make the right decisions.
He has given me great advice with many different options.
He has a lot of contacts. He helps people upgrade or get out of a bind while on the other hand he is finding good deals for others.
I don't know him personally..but I have messaged back and forth several times and have chatted with him on the phone.
He seems sincere in helping me make the right decisions for me.
So....tell me.....
Do you think people should not use Real Estate agents when they sell their house?
Real Estate agents don't own the house....they are the middle man so to speak...trying to make a buck selling your house for you so you don't have to deal with all the nuts in the world.
To be honest...I would trust Jason telling me the equipment was in good condition..
a lot more than the owner.
ted
Re: A little disturbed.....
All the more reason to buy new equipment, which carries a warranty and a lifetime of good service and support. You know who you're dealing with and nothing is hidden.
Thanks for allowing my two cents also.......
Re: A little disturbed.....
does it really matter? for goodness sake...everybody needs to make a living and you know whos a broker and whos not.so WHY separate forums. maybe we need to focus on screen printing instead of how buyers and sellers can eliminate brokers...most brokers add value to the transaction. jeez.....
Re: A little disturbed.....
...while we all know that Barnes/SpiderMachines is a slimebag writ large, I dont think we should be punishing all the brokers in his wake.
Also, once you buy from and individual, thats it, they have no REASON to help you any further, whereas a reputable broker will go much more out of his/her way to make sure the postive wor-of-mouth keeps flowin. This is where these forums and communities are so valuable.
Re: A little disturbed.....
tell him like it is jmd!! haha
@Justin_PalmTees
Re: A little disturbed.....
Craigslist has placed the same thing in effect for their classifieds.
They have categories "for sale by owner" and "for sale by dealer".
It seems that the best way to delineate the group would be to ask a simple question:
"Is your business primarily centered around buying and selling equipment."
Yes = COMMERCIAL
No = PRIVATE
At the end of the day, my goal is not to pick a fight over another man's business.
I just don't plan to buy from brokers OR rebuilders.
I am sure there are plenty of people who don't have the resources at hand to pick quality equipment on their own. A separate page for both would benefit us all.
I guess I am up to $.04 now.
Re: A little disturbed.....
yeah, you are right I feel like you , a little disturbed for the many broker starting to take position of this forum.