Choosing your laser: New vs. Used, Off-lease, or refurbished

I have personally witnessed our potential customers pass over our $45,000 pre-owned laser in favor of a new cosmetic laser that runs $105,000." Why? Because they think they're getting a terrific support and training contract from the laser manufacturer. Sure, you could argue that the factory support is superior to that of the pre-owned cosmetic laser broker. But is it really? And even if it is, ---is their support worth that ($60,000) much more? I doubt it. It is common industry practice for the manufacturer to outsource this support to independent trainers and consultants--the exact same ones I would use. In other words, they're going to charge you a ton more money for the same trainers I would use.
Every day we get calls or faxes here at CMC from people who want to sell us their lasers. Very often, we start to enter them in our database and the computer gives us a warning that we are attempting to create a duplicate record. When we cross-reference the record, we find that they're in our database because at one point they had wanted to buy a laser from us. They decided to buy a new laser instead and now they want us to "bail them out" of the laser they don't use, or need, or can't afford anymore.
Now, I'm not opposed to helping these sellers (without sellers CMC wouldn't have a business model here) but the math is just too impossible to help them. They owe $75,000 on a laser that we can only resell for $45,000. There is no way out for them.

Well, how do you decide between a new or used laser? Ask yourself two very simple questions:

1. Am I going to get $45,000 (or whatever your number is) worth of training and support from the manufacturer over and above what an independent dealer can arrange?
2. Will it have been worth it when I lose thousands more in depreciation when I resell this device in 2 or 3 years for newer technology
   

And finally, one last tip:

Don't believe a salesman who tells you the company will buy laser equipment back if you're not happy with it. Take whatever stereotypes you've developed for car salesman over the years and multiply that by a factor of 3 when it comes to listening to laser equipment salesman selling a new laser. Certainly they're not all bad, but I hear SO many stories from my customers and prospects that I would be remiss if I did not post this warning.

The Ramblings of a Laser Industry Insider

A wise man once said "If you meet a rich person, take them to dinner." The idea, of course, is that you can learn a ton of valuable information from those who have done what you have not.

As President of SkincarePro.com for these last eight years, I have seen hundreds, (and probably thousands) of doctors and individuals jump into the lucrative cosmetic laser industry. And having personally sold many hundreds of machines, I have witnessed tremendous success stories as well as misguided tragic failures.

Knowing full well that just one of the tips or hints I offer could very well tip the scales in someone's favor, I decided to publish some great ideas to help tip the scales in the direction of success. In addition to thoughts and opinions, from time to time I will be providing pieces of valuable information found in my Infoguide, and also my authoritative ebook, "The Comprehensive Guide to a Successful Laser Business".

I'll be submitting at least monthly, so check back often, and set up automatic RSS notification from the link below, and I hope you find my information useful and helpful......and you won't even have to take me to dinner.