Buying Your Machine

What are the steps to buying a new machine? The following can be used as a guide to help you through the process of buying a new machine. We hope that using this information can help you make the best purchasing decision for your needs.

1. Start by deciding what you can realistically afford:

• Determining a realistic maximum of what you can afford in the beginning can prevent you form overspending later on. You need to first take a good look at your budget and establish the following:
• How much can you offer on a down payment for a machine?
• What kind of monthly payment is feasible for you?
• It is also a good idea to get pre-approved for financing in the beginning. This way you have all of your financial options up front before you even start looking at machines.
• The most important part of this stage in the buying process, is that once you have a price you are comfortable with, you need to stand by it.

2. Go online to narrow down your choices:

• Once you have established a budget, you will need to determine the type of machine you want to buy. Do this by considering what you need your machine to accomplish.
• Think about the following:
• How many items do you need to have embroidered/screenprinted in a week?
• How many needles/heads should your embroidery machine have or stations should your screenprinting machine have?
• Does the manufacturer/distributor offer warranties with their machines?
• Does the manufacturer/distributor offer training courses for the machine you want?
• What kind of software will you need to operate your machine?
• Does the manufacturer/distributor offer training courses for the software your machine will use?
• How much will it cost to ship the machine?
• What kind of supplies and how many will you need to keep your machine operational?
• Once you have answered these, you can start your search online. Narrow your choices down by comparing reviews and customer testimonials.
• After finding four or five models that you like, research the financing options from each of the manufacturers. Then, calculate your payments and get a quote from the distributors.
• It will help to keep all of your research in a designated folder.

3. See a demo of your top picks:

• Once you have finished researching your top four or five choices, you can visit the distributors as an informed shopper.
• When you visit the distributor, it is important that you let the salesperson know you are there for a demonstration and are not ready to buy just yet. Remember, you  are trying to learn all you can about each machine before you buy so you can make the best decision for your needs.
• Here are some questions you might want to think about asking the salesperson during the demo:
• What is the speed of the machine?
• How much does it weigh, and what is the best way to load and unload it?
• How many designs and/or stitches can be stored?
• How much energy is needed to power the machine? Can a regular socket be used or is something more advanced required?
• What comes with the machine?
• What comes with the starter kit?
• What formats can the machine read?
• How can you keep the machine operational in extremely hot or humid climates?
  
• What is the field size?

4. Chose a distributor you like:

• It is important that the machine you buy is from a distributor you like and are comfortable with.
• Consider the salespeople you have already met during each demonstration:
• Did they reply to your emails and phone calls in a timely manner?
• Did they answer all of your questions without trying to push you in another direction?
• Did they ask you questions to better understand your needs for a machine?
• Was the salesperson straightforward or evasive?
• Did they try to sell you something you didn't want or need?
• Were they relaxed and courteous or impatient and rude?
• You should not settle on a dealer just because you are ready to make a purchase. Picking which distributor you buy from is just as important as which machine you buy because you will still be in contact with them even after you buy your machine. Having a good relationship with a distributor can help you monumentally, should problems arise with your machine in the future.