Hello everyone. Its no secret that there are a huge amount of chinese equipment flooding our market. I have no interest in dealing with them. Inam looking to start a small dealership for mini x's, mini skids, and a few other things but I want non chinese but open to other counties. I want to be able to beat the big names brands on pricing but I won't even bother if it has to be chinese. I just want to deal with them.
-
Thank you for visiting HeavyEquipmentForums.com! Our objective is to provide industry professionals a place to gather to exchange questions, answers and ideas. We welcome you to register using the "Register" icon at the top of the page. We'd appreciate any help you can offer in spreading the word of our new site. The more members that join, the bigger resource for all to enjoy. Thank you!
Are there any companies that aren't Chinese with lower prices?
- Thread starter Cody01
- Start date
terex herder
Senior Member
I would recommend looking at some of the used equipment sites and listing all the brands available. Then look up the closest dealer for each of these brands. You will have to find a brand without local representation. Then search for reviews of all the brands that meet your interest. When you find a company without local representation that makes a good product you can start a discussion on whether you could represent their products.
Syleng1
Well-Known Member
I personally live down the road from a Richie Brothers auction. I drive by their yard everyday. Sadly near the fence line I see all brand new tiny excavators, mini trucks and other equipment. All brand new and all from Chyna. Very sad to see an auction is being used to pump this crap into the country. By pass dealers.
Good luck on your purchase.
Good luck on your purchase.
CM1995
Administrator
- Joined
- Jan 21, 2007
- Messages
- 13,430
- Location
- Alabama
- Occupation
- Running what I brung and taking what I win
Welcome to the Forums Cody! Glad to have you.
What is your local market and customer base? Are your customers going to be homeowners, small contractors, large contractors or a combo?
What is your local market and customer base? Are your customers going to be homeowners, small contractors, large contractors or a combo?
Thank you. I am mainly looking at landowners and smaller contractors so I can avoid higher overhead of big equipment. I am quickly finding that any korean, japanese, or american brands are right up there with where the big dealers would be price wise which is discouraging. I was hoping some of the lessor known reliable brands would be mid level pricing.
cuttin edge
Senior Member
It's hard to compete with companies that pretty much pay their workers pennies a day. I think there is a video breaking down what it would cost to build a smart phone in the United States vs China, something like double the cost.
crane operator
Senior Member
Do you have a current business now, that you are expanding to having equipment? Or is this a stand alone new business?
The "newest" in the equipment side I've seen is wacker neuson, they've made a big push in equipment that I've seen at rental houses.
The "newest" in the equipment side I've seen is wacker neuson, they've made a big push in equipment that I've seen at rental houses.
I am acquiring a commercial lot this week and will be new. I worked at a rental house for 7 years and for the last 13 have sold concrete tools, supplies, and equipment. I am entirely funding this myself so it will be small to start and likely always be smallish.
crane operator
Senior Member
I think you'll have a hard time with any of the larger brands. There used to be a lot of smaller equipment dealers, but most have gotten consolidated.
I know Gehl used to have some smaller ag/ construction dealers. Maybe mustang? toro, ditch witch? Vermeer has some walk behind skids but I don't think mini ex's.
I'm not sure of the market you're trying to hit with mini ex's and mini skids, wouldn't the homeowner and smaller contractors be more interested in renting that type of equipment vs buying it?
Nothing domestic or korean/japanese is ever going to compete with the chinese cheap imports price wise.
I do see some small places becoming "dealers" of the chinese imports by buying a couple of conex's full direct from china. Then doing final assembly and sales here. But that's not really being a dealer with dealer support.
I know Gehl used to have some smaller ag/ construction dealers. Maybe mustang? toro, ditch witch? Vermeer has some walk behind skids but I don't think mini ex's.
I'm not sure of the market you're trying to hit with mini ex's and mini skids, wouldn't the homeowner and smaller contractors be more interested in renting that type of equipment vs buying it?
Nothing domestic or korean/japanese is ever going to compete with the chinese cheap imports price wise.
I do see some small places becoming "dealers" of the chinese imports by buying a couple of conex's full direct from china. Then doing final assembly and sales here. But that's not really being a dealer with dealer support.
Welder Dave
Senior Member
You're going to need a good mechanic and service dept. with parts support. I think having rentals as well is the way to go but you'll have to do delivery and pick up. Any better brands are probably going to want you to buy a minimum amount of machines. It might be hard to offer much lower prices than established dealers if you're selling comparable equipment. You need to do something better that will get you a good reputation. Free maintenance for the 1st 500 hours or free pick up and delivery on rentals over 2 days. Something along those lines that sets you apart. If you do rentals have a wide variety of attachments and keep them in top shape. I don't know your budget but it could be an expensive undertaking. If you get a good reputation, suppliers will come to you to distribute their products.
I’ve found that too on pricing. Looking at 3.5-5 ton mini excavators some of the lower end Japanese brands like Kato were only $5000 cheaper than the premium Japanese brands like Kubota and Takeuchi. For that price difference most people will pick the higher end brand.
The Sany brand machines from China were about $10k cheaper IIRC, but now your back to poorer quality, and little to no dealer or manufacturer support. They are selling some but I think most people realize at that price point it’s still not worth the gamble. At the bottom you have the no name Chinese machines that seem to be flooding the market lately. The price is just so cheap I think a lot of people can’t resist. You get what you pay for couldn’t ring more true. IMO those machines are just a poorly assembled kit of parts that you can hopefully make into a barely useable machine.
Yes I am looking at all options. Hose reels, fuel pumps, and more.
That is what I was afraid of. I was trying to stay one man operation.
Tugger2
Senior Member
In the 70s I had a couple of partners in a shop business.I was the the welding and fab side ,one partner the parts guy and the other was an excelent Case mechanic.We had a lot of Case construction equipment in our area but no dealer representation. We aproached Case for parts support with no luck,but persisted with them and able to become a Case Ag dealer which gave a backdoor into the parts . The construction side was successful but in the end those darn farm tractors buried us and Case was too bullheaded to allow us a straight construction dealership. Big OEM manufacturers are pretty complex for us average tradesmen to deal with. Id stick with picking the best of manufacturers ,and starting with good used stuff.Just remember product support,repairs and delivery are the key. Keep an eye on your local market and see whats needed . One of the most successful rental houses in my area has been around for ages and resisted takeovers from the big guys im sure. They are specialists in odd stuff for mill and industrial . Lots of heavy rigging ,air tuggers chain blocks ,big portopowers big air tools of all sorts as well as the standard items for the public. Good luck with your venture .
Thank you. Used equipment is an option for sure. I am also looking at air compressor companies. We mainly have just box stores not offering support on things like that so I want an american made compressor line.