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WHAT SHOULD OPERATORS EXPECT FROM THEIR REFURBISHED EQUIPMENT SUPPLIER?
09/03/2007
The market in refurbished fitness equipment has seen substantial growth in recent years with more and more operators, from a variety of sectors, beginning to understand and appreciate the value of refurbished products.We asked Arron Williams, Life Fitness Academy Manager, to talk us through some of the key questions an operator should ask of their equipment supplier/manufacturer.
No longer do lower prices necessarily reflect inferior quality or reduced maintenance support. On the contrary, authorised distribution channels have enabled cost-conscious customers, including local authorities, independent clubs, hotels, corporate sites and education facilities, to buy into the credentials and proven reliability of market leading brands with levels of quality assurance and after sales support previously only associated with new products.
As significant advances continue to be made in the manufacture of new equipment, more and more kit is being replaced after just a few years, ensuring a plentiful supply of equipment for second-hand buyers. However, at a time when the market is literally flooded with refurbished equipment, how can operators really be sure that they are getting value for money?
The frightening fact is that not all refurbished equipment is equal in terms of quality; there is a big difference between a refurbishment ‘make over’, compared with equipment which has been meticulously ‘remanufactured’. So it’s important that operators are aware that current standards of refurbished fitness equipment can vary enormously.
How then do operators ensure that they do not inherit all the problems of a well-used and worn piece of equipment when they make their purchase?…
Arron Williams talks us through some of the key questions an operator should ask of their equipment supplier/manufacturer, and the answers that should be expected:
1. Do you have a dedicated refurbishment facility and / or sales function?
A dedicated plant and a sales team focusing solely on second-hand equipment shows that the manufacturer is serious about the refurbishment process.
2. Exactly what kind of replacement parts are used?
Any damaged or worn components should be replaced with new, genuine parts direct from the manufacturer in question. Unfortunately, this is often not the case.
3. Can you describe the refurbishment process?
All equipment should arrive at the refurbishing plant in the original condition that it was removed from the club or centre. Products should then be dismantled and completely stripped down back to basics. All metal parts will need to be re-sprayed, or replaced if not working or damaged, and any damaged or worn components should be replaced with new parts. Products should then be meticulously re-assembled with the specific details and serial numbers of each piece logged. After comprehensive testing, products should be immaculately finished before being boxed in new packaging.
4. What sort of testing / quality control measures are in place?
Each product should undergo stringent quality controls before leaving the plant. For example, CPO products at Life Fitness have to pass a comprehensive, 28-point quality inspection and each part is cleaned, detailed, painted, inspected, rebuilt, repaired or replaced (or a combination of these steps as required). Reputable manufacturers should extend their usual guarantee through to their refurbished equipment and offer service contracts too.
5. What sort of after-sale service do you offer?
Each piece of equipment should be sold with a comprehensive service history together with a twelve month warranty on labour and parts. In addition, manufacturers/suppliers should offer a range of service plans to suit the individual customer, as well as the support of dedicated service teams on call throughout the UK to respond to callouts promptly and efficiently.
