Business Decisions – Investing in New or Used Embroidery Machines

There is no doubt that adding an embroidery machine to your business will improve productivity and help your company grow. Whether you are a start-up company looking to expand or an established company looking to add to your inventory, you must carefully consider your decision as it will have an effect on your business. You’ve 2 choices when it comes to purchasing a new unit – buy new or go for a used machine?

Assess the Tech

When it comes to choosing between a new or used machine, you must think about the technology. Although you could be getting an excellent deal on a used machine, it won’t have the same level of technology a modern embroidery machine will have. When you examine the hardware, you’ll find that an older machine won’t have many of the cool new accessories a newer machine will have. Some used machines allow operating system upgrades, but many of them will be limited to their current hardware. A modern embroidery machine will have all the latest technology, that includes state of the art components that you won’t find on a used machine.

  • Faster Sewing Speeds
  • Higher Processing Capabilities
  • Advanced Software & Designs

When it comes to technology, a modern embroidery machine will always have better features and processing capabilities.

Current Condition 

If you are thinking about a used embroidery machine, you must consider wear and tear. Is the product in good condition? What was it used for before it was put on sale? If the machine has worked for many years in the industry, constantly sewing and embroidering on a daily basis, it could be a little worse for wear.

The state of the machine is probably your biggest area for concern. Some used embroidery machines haven’t actually been used that much, whereas others have been put through the mill. If you are buying it off a company, find out how long they’ve been in business and when they bought the product. A new embroidery machine will have zero wear and tear, the risk of anything happening to it is minimal and it will be covered by a warranty if anything goes wrong.

Here are some questions to ask the seller if you are thinking of going for a used machine.

  • Why are they selling it?
  • What is the machine’s repair record?
  • Who carried out the repairs?
  • Who was operating the machine?

Peace of Mind

Unfortunately, you won’t have any assurances when buying a used machine, but you will with a new model. Although you may end up paying more for the new embroidery machine, you still have a guarantee if anything goes wrong within the first few months.

The biggest problem with investing in used machines is establishing its current condition. A used embroidery machine which is in good condition can be hard to come by. You just never know what you are buying, so purchasing a second-hand unit comes with inherent risks. If you don’t fancy taking a chance, you should pay that little bit extra and go for a top of the range model.