Common Mistakes To Avoid When Choosing New Business Equipment

An efficient business needs efficient equipment. At the same time, this equipment needs to be affordable. Getting the balance right isn’t easy and there are many common mistakes that business owners make when sourcing equipment. Below are some of the biggest mistakes to avoid. 

Getting the specs wrong

There will be certain specifications that your equipment needs to meet in order to meet your company’s specific needs. One of the most common mistakes that businesses make is not knowing these specs.

For instance, when it comes to industrial spray equipment, buying the right spray nozzle is key. A flat spray nozzle isn’t going to be suited to the same applications as a hollow cone spray nozzle, and buying the wrong nozzle could seriously impact the effect of the spray.

To get the right equipment, take the time to educate yourself on all the specs. Alternatively, work with an expert who understands the specific needs of your business and who can source the right equipment for you.

Buying equipment for temporary/single use

You should only ever buy expensive equipment if you’re going to get continued long-term use out of it. If you’re only going to use it once or you’re going to use it for a very short period, consider whether it could be cheaper to hire or rent that equipment. Buying such equipment could be a waste of money.

Nowadays, it’s possible to hire pretty much any equipment ranging from industrial printers to laser cutters. If you don’t think you’re going to need a piece of equipment on a long-term basis, consider looking into hire options. There could be a niche hire company out there that offers what you need for a fraction of the cost. Much of this equipment is also likely to be relatively new and well maintained.

Scrimping on worn used equipment

Some companies make the mistake of trying to save money by buying heavily worn used equipment. Such equipment may be cheaper, but it’s likely to break sooner in the future. You could find yourself spending more in the long run on repairs and replacements if you keep buying cheap equipment near the end of its life. Heavily used electronic equipment is also likely to not be as energy efficient as newer equipment, meaning higher energy bills.

You can save money by buying used equipment, but you should shop only for gently used equipment. Compared to heavily used equipment, gently used equipment is likely to provide better quality results and will make your company look more professional on top of saving you money on repairs and energy bills. And it will still be cheaper than brand new equipment. 

Forgetting to check out reviews

A lot of us become so obsessed with getting a good deal that we fail to check out reviews. Certain models of equipment or certain suppliers could have a poor reputation - which could mean poor quality equipment. By reading online reviews, you’ll usually be able to determine which companies are reputable and which companies you should avoid.

Aside from Google reviews, there are many review platforms out there to compare. It’s also worth reading professional reviews by business publications if they are available, as these may cover pros and cons that an average user may not consider.

Overlooking training/maintenance requirements

Equipment can vary in complexity. Some equipment could be so complex to use that employees may need to go on a course before they can use it. Other types of equipment could be very intuitive and may require little maintenance.

For example, when choosing a coffee machine for your restaurant, you could choose an old fashioned espresso machine with a manual coffee grinder and milk frother wand. Alternatively, you could choose a fully automatic machine that creates a cappuccino or latte with the press of a button (this could even be a self-service machine). 

Consider whether you have the patience to invest in complex equipment. While such equipment may offer better quality results or may offer an array of different functions, this may not be necessary if you just need it to complete basic tasks. Opting for entry-level equipment could save you time and money spent on training employees and carrying out maintenance. It all depends on the quality you’re aiming to provide and the quality customers expect - something more complex could be worth it if you want to deliver top end results. 

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