Blue_Steel wrote:
............What's your budget on a new machine mate? If you are after a secondhand one I would recommend hospitality auctions, you can find awesome deals! I would also recommend trying the machine before buying it also...........
Some random thoughts on this: I couldn't disagree more in terms of recommending hospitality auctions, unless we know what Lacehim's expertise is at sorting old / obsolete / worn out commercial espresso machines...we would also need to know if Lacehim wants a machine to make coffee with now, or a project of indeterminate length of time to completion. Additionally in terms of budget, the buy price of used hulks at auctions....could if you are lucky be the "make coffee now" price of the machine if it hooks up and works, or if not (lucky) it could be the buy price plus plus plus to get it to the eventual operating price. You only need to buy a machine with an unserviceable brain/CPU/black box, to rake up say an extra minimum of at least $500 just to get the machine operating, to then find it needs a new water pump and motor...retail somewhere around say $1000.00 or more for new (and you would be mad to buy a used pump). Add to that, you cannot hook up an auction machine to see if it is running. Its just a lump of indeterminate condition sitting on a pallet. Buyer beware. So unless Lacehim is prepared for all that, has experience, is looking for a project, is not concerned by blown budgets, has experience buying used commercial machines at auction (as traders do), then I wouldn't be recommending that route for him especially if he has to pay someone to do the work that may be required (in which case it is the cost of parts plus labour...). That is, buying unknowns at auction is for those who are in "the know" and who can deal with all that involves...it's not for everyone in fact, it is only for a select few in the scheme of things. The next idea would be to go see espresso machine traders in your area to see what they have in used commercial machines that are known to be goers and can be hooked up and tried out. Or, you could consider one of the many new semi commercial machines that are available including from some of the sponsors who support this site. Semi commercials don't take up a ton of room, make coffee like commercial machines and run from 10 amp outlets...ie have a hefty convenience factor when compared to dirty old ex cafe machines that need work and more money spent, take up a lot of room and most of which (except for 1 group size) need at least 15 if not 20 amp circuits run to the place where they are to be situated and need water and drain connections... And that brings it right back to the budget. Lacehim, I believe my people may be having some end of year sales and have new BFC semi commercials in various models and small commercial grinders of high quality. There is plenty of stock that needs to be whittled down before stock take time. If you have a budget in mind and want to investigate, dont hesitate to send me a PM and I will arrange for someone to call you with whats on offer. But first note...you need to decide on your budget. All the best 😉
