Hire equipment - beware

[Pulpo]

Mick at $50 each for a demolition saw did you buy the lot?

What, around $1,000 for a decent new one.

Anyway with regards to hiring a Dingo or the like forget it.

You maybe could justify it if you only need one implement and are very proficient at its use.

I've hire them twice ($300 for 24hrs) and helped a mate who hired one once.

Always had problems with the equipment.

This is one experience

The air filter was clogged with dust the engine had no power.
After explaining to the hire shop the problem by phone, he said nothing he could do (his first mistake), there were no spares.
Being over an hour away to return the dingo, he suggested if I return it now I would not be charged.
I then indicated I would not waste another 2 hours of my time to return the Dingo, I would return it tomorrow being more convenient, however he indicated that I would be charged (his 2nd mistake). hmmm.
I nearly suggested, that you come and collect it at YOUR earliest convenience, it’s now your problem. To say this statement annoyed me was understatement; I was under the pump to get stuff done.

So removing the air filter did the trick, it worked a treat.
I'm sure that Dingo is not worth hiring at any rate these days

If the hire shop was polite, helpful, and concerned with the problem, not to mention maintained their equipment this would never had occurred. This piece of equipment should never have been rented.

The fact is, it would be better to hire a professional operator, who is more than likely cheaper and frees you up to do other tasks.

As for buying second hand tools, look in the trading post. Larger pieces of equipment I would consider but not hand held power tools generally. I’ve wasting much time looking, but sometimes you get lucky and find a good buy, which makes it all the worthwhile. As Mick said know your stuff.

Happy hunting

Pulpo

[journeyman Mick]

No didn't buy any, I called in to the auction on my way home and it was almost over, there was a huge queue at the office of people paying for their purchases so I couldn't get in to get a bidder's card. It was a mixed auction, a lot of resort furniture and other "non trade" goods, so lots of serious machnery went for a song or got passed in as most of the crowd were homemakers. I've hired dingos a couple of times but in both cases they were being paid for by the client who specifically wanted me to do the work. I usually get a bobcat and operator in - I've got a mate who only charges me $50 per hour (GST inc.) For that I get an operator, 2ton tipper, bobcat with all attachments and a mini excavator, can't beat that!

Mick

[Iain]

Crime Converters is an expensive way of buying anything, broken down crap at near new prices.
Try to sell something there and see what they offer, thats an eye opener:eek:

[journeyman Mick]

Iain, I've had luck there though, you just have to keep coming back to check them out in case somebody's mispriced something or they're really desperate to get rid of stock. My Crime convertor bargains include: Stihl 029 chainsaw near new, $375.00; 3 way camping fridge $300.00; Racal air helmet $70.00; Comet 3 handpiece with tips and cutting attachment $25.00; Demag pneumatic tapping drill $50.00 (they didn't know what it was). I also managed to unload my 12yr old Makita 10" SCMS (which was starting to sound terminal when warmed up) on them for $50 and a mountain bike with a replacement cost of $600 which they had $250 on. It's a bit of a past time for me, secondhand and garage sale shopping and I've got some bargains over the years but you might get 1 bargain for 10 - 20 visits.

Mick

[Pulpo]

I agree with Iain

This is an organisation that helps crime.

Not too mention I find their attitude impolite and sleazy.

Their products most of the time are crappie and overpriced.

I realise that the trading post may also have issues but the chance of an individual selling directly is a lot less.

I also get from any 2nd hand sale a receipt with their drivers licence No.

My advice for Sydney siders forget Crime converters.

Cheers

Pulpo

[q9]

I went in to a Crime Converters looking for a small fridge (the small bar fridge, you know the type). Old, crappy ones, with stains and rust cost $50 MORE than a brand new one from an electrical shop down the street, and the new ones came with 3 YEAR warranty. Draw you own conclusions.

[pete152]

Thanks for all the replys.seems I am not the only one that thinks there prices are to high and other things.Will look at week- end shopper.
Peter

[bradtez]

all the posts i have read have all had very valid points. But i tend to agree the best way to go about getting a dingo for your front or backyard is to hire a contractor to do the work for you. They have all the attachments, they know how to use the equipment AND the attachments. It can be and usually is cheaper than fo you to have to do all the running around and working out how it all works and goes together.
If you need a dingo digger in Canberra, call Brad's Backyard Mini diggers!
How's that for a plug?

[Fantapantz]

Hire a COMPETENT operator with the right equipment tooo.....Bobcat dramas are painful....Onto the 4th bobcat in three days............First guy brilliant.second guy old geared and nice to say i was wasting money....third guy.young inexperienced....broke a fence post which also cemented in the water mains to the house.......Forth guy brilliant......200 ton of dirt to move and the good guys moved twice as much in 1/3 the time.........nowonder anyone efficient has a waiting list.....

[MrFixIt]

Hi

Originally posted by Iain
Crime Converters is an expensive way of buying anything, broken down crap at near new prices.
Try to sell something there and see what they offer, thats an eye opener:eek:

This is SO TRUE! I have two examples for you.

I wanted to sell (about 5 years ago) a complete camera outfit. It was in absolute pristine condition. My guess was that no more than 20-30 rolls of film in its 10 year life. Had several lenses including a 600mm mirror lens. I wanted $400 for the lot. We could not agree on a price. I managed to get $390 for as a trade in on a new (film) camera.

A few weeks later Cash Converters were selling the same brand lens (ONLY the lens) in worse condition, for $450!!

A borrowed (from a friend) Bostich framing nail gun was stolen from me. In searching for a replacement I tried many CC stores. There were/are many beat-up nail guns. The best I could find was a Senco brand at $490. I could not get the price lower than $450. I did not want to pay that much for that nail gun.

A couple of days later I found "on special" the EXACT same model Bostich nail gun (brand new of course, even had some improvements over the old one) for $425 at Glenfords Tools.

So yes CC ARE expensive when buying FROM and EXTREMELY cheap when selling TO.

Regards

Peter

[MrFixIt]

Hi

Originally posted by journeyman Mick
Iain, I've had luck there though, you just have to keep coming back to check them out in case somebody's mispriced something or they're really desperate to get rid of stock. My Crime convertor bargains include: Stihl 029 chainsaw near new, $375.00; 3 way camping fridge $300.00; Racal air helmet $70.00; Comet 3 handpiece with tips and cutting attachment $25.00; Demag pneumatic tapping drill $50.00 (they didn't know what it was). I also managed to unload my 12yr old Makita 10" SCMS (which was starting to sound terminal when warmed up) on them for $50 and a mountain bike with a replacement cost of $600 which they had $250 on. It's a bit of a past time for me, secondhand and garage sale shopping and I've got some bargains over the years but you might get 1 bargain for 10 - 20 visits.

I have had some bargains, but not done as well as that. I'm glad you're in QLD, I don't need the competition over here in WA )

Regards

Peter

[MrFixIt]

Hi

I just wanted to post a message in favour of my local "Kennard" hire company. I have hired a few items from them.

The local yard has won some US based awards for their service etc. Anyway their (local) attention to detail is TERRIFIC.

I hired a small chain saw. Started first time every time, they gave all instructions safety equipment etc. EACH time the chainsaw goes out it has a BRAND NEW chain. So each user has nothing but the best with which to cut.

They figure it was easier to fit a new chain every time, collect the old ones and auction them off in "bulk". They had no need to waste time sharpening anything, the turn around was faster (clean/replace chain/adjust/test) out the door on hire again!

SO if any of you Perth people want to hire stuff try Kennards Balcatta!

As far as Dingo hire goes, that's something I'd like to do, but know that the hire of a bobcat and driver and truck is SOOOO much more cost effective. For $200 I had some low brick walls demolished, concrete slab broken up and all rubish removed and the area leveled off. The quality and experience of the driver can make such a BIG difference.

Regards

Peter

[journeyman Mick]

Peter, you'll be pretty jealous of my latest acquisition, a Delta 1/2hp morticer for $180. Hardly used at all, I think the original owner didn't set up the chisel/bit clearance properly as it was completely jammed with shavings, got frustrated with it and sold it. See my post "got lucky twice today"

Mick

[DavidG]

My new acquisition is on its way.

Saves hiring a Dingo.

This should make gardening easy

[Hireman]

Interesting topic, and some very valid points made, but as the owner of a small hire business, I would like to point out to you some issues that hire business opperators face.


Pricing of hire equipment: This is based on original purchase price, utilisation(how often it hires out), how much maintenance is required, how long it lasts, and how much time needs to spent on each machine after each hire. See below an example
A Dingo with a trencher, post hole digger w/4 augers, a 4 in 1 bucket and a trailer costs around $50,000.

Its usefull lifespan is 3000hrs, approx 3 years.

It will hire out aprox 2 - 3 times a week.

It needs servicing every 200 hours @ $400/service $6000 total

The trencher chain lasts 12 months @ $1200 $3600 total

The auger teeth last 12 months at @ $40 each, 4 teeth/auger $1920 total

The tyres last approx 600 hours @ $110 each $2200 total

The trailer needs registration $200 total

Drive chains and sprockets last about 1500 hours @ $450 $900 total

Both the trailer and Dingo need insuring for "DRY HIRE" approx $1000 p/a $3000 total

So the total cost of running that Dingo for 3 years is $17820, add the purchase price in $67820, less the trade in value after 3 years/3000hours =$45,820

Now divide that by 3 years = $15,273 divided by 52 weeks = $293/week

So $293 every week, to run that machine, and I haven't even added in the following factors:

The finance interest
Or the staff wages to clean, safety check and log that machine after each hire
Batteries and starter motors
Degreaser and truck wash or grease
Pins and bushes
Office consumables, paper, ink cartridges etc for every hire contract raised
Eftpos fees when you pay by credit card
The new engine, when a hirer runs it without an airfilter!
Punctures that are found the next day because the hirer pumps up the flat tyre on the way back in.
The tank of petrol that the hirer doesn't replenish prior to returning the machine.
And list just goes on and on...............

My suggestion is next time you hire a machine, and don't like the price, think about all the hidden costs........but probably more important......that mate of your, we all have them, that cheats the system, doesn't fill the tank, damages the machine by abuse, or runs it without an airfilter has just driven up the prices for everyone else, including you!