Can't decide...

[Wedg1e]

The guy whose house & workshop we just bought offered to leave the 3-phase compressor in situ for 'a nominal sum'.
Great, thought I... except that when push came to shove his 'nominal sum' is £500. I was thinking more like £250 but he doesn't fancy budging.

The compressor in question is a 3-phase, 7.5hp, 30cfm, 270L tank monster known as a Clarke SE36C270. It's 6 years old and has been used for running air tools in this guy's business. Now I've run it and the pressure's good, everything works with no nasty noises and it even looks in bloody good nick.


Of course my contention is that he's had his money's-worth out of the business usage, but I concede it's a lot of compressor, still in production and retails at about £1080 depending on where you look (Machine Mart, for example http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/p.../professionalindustrial-air-compressors-elect)... but is it realistically worth 500 folding? Would a business pay that for it or would they go for a new one and pay the ex-VAT price of about £940 instead?


Obviously the 3-phase demand limits his audience if he Ebays it, but I'm effectively only a hobbyist and won't recoup the outlay.
Just seems too good a chance to pass up... but £500...

 

[the snooper]

i think thats a bit to much considering its had business use and is 6 years old and should imagine you could pick up another 3phase compressor at auction quite cheap my mate bought one similar size and cfm for £180.00.
plus if you dont need one that size it will also cost you more to run it.
also if you have 3 phase and wont be using it get 2 of the meters de-energised (as they call it ) it removes the standing charge

 

[mart]

I have to agree, i think the guy is chancing his luck by asking you for 500 if they are only around a grand when new. Look at the hassle he is saving if you buy it, and this is not reflected in the asking price. Make him a much reduced offer (he has the hassle of removing it AND trying to sell it if he says no)

I think it would be a lot easier to buy one of these than it would be to sell one being 3 phase.

 

[zzr1200]

Offer the seller 200 or 250 max and then tell him he'll have to remove the compressor by a set date or you'll charge him storage.

Sounds like a typical business type wishes to sell for as much as possible, if he was buying it would be a different story, but presumably he has given up work or gone bust so just chancing his arm.

You have the upper arm in that he needs to sell it or move it, you don't have to buy it in which case he'll have to move it, store it and sell it.

250.00 max offer......


PS. Keep the 3 phase supply, loads of cheap big welders out there.....


PS.2 Heres one for 971.75 with vat incl...knock off 150 vat approx...cost 820.00 brand new.........500 quid, he's hav'in a larf....300 ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-ABAC-7-5H...Air_Tools_and_Compressors?hash=item35a5cd28ad

 

[Richiew]

Its six years old! It could die on it's **** tomorrow and you'd have no warranty or comeback. You have a very good bargaining position as other posters have already mentioned.

I think your original figure that you had in mind sounded pretty fair. Six year old kit is a bit of gamble. You may get six months out of it you may get another ten years, who knows?

You have to hedge your bets and protect yourself. I'd go £350 max and start negotiations at the figure you originally mentioned. 3 Phase usually means business only buyers and not many businesses will buy six year old kit as they can offset the cost of depreciation of new kit against profit (I think).

If you're only a hobbyist, Machine Mart will do you a 150litre 14cfm single phase jobbie for not much more (£379) on one of their 'VAT free' days, you will get a warranty with this too. I've been looking at one (SE16150) for long enough but can't justify the expense as yet. For 500 quid I'd want a guarantee that the seller wont be able to provide. Best of luck, explain the facts as you see them and be cheeky as hell without being rude your offer.

 

[stormin]

Say your not interested and make him move it. He may just decide it's better to leave it where it is. Unless he's a lot of other big and heavy gear to move it'll be a lot of hassle.
Not many people will be interested in it unless it's got a recent test certificate for the air reciever.

 

[brightspark]

no more than 300 tell him cash as well ive seen em in lithgoes sale go for less than that

 

[Wedg1e]

Well, the decision was made for me
Our lass had a sneaky word with the guy who formerly owned the house (and the compressor) and bought it (the compressor, not the house) for me birthday!
Shame it'll be my 46th but you can't have everything...