How to Buy Used Video Equipment

In this economy, most people's budgets are tight. But, used video equipment can save you a bundle. There are, however, a few things to consider before laying down your cash.

Used Equipment Checklist

Buying second-hand video equipment can be a great way to save some money and get a quality item. But, before you rush out and get something off of Craigslist, you should take into account the following suggestions.

1. Know the history of the machine. Age can play a big part in whether or not you should buy the camcorder. You need to find out if you can still obtain replacement parts for it. If they are no longer available, you run the risk of buying a machine that you cannot get fixed.

2. Check how many times the camera has been to the shop. Most video equipment will have probably been taken to be fixed at least once or twice. Anything more than that; it could be a faulty model. You also need to take into consideration whether or not the model has never been serviced. If not, it will more than likely need to be cleaned, which will add to the overall cost of the machine.

3. Check for stolen merchandise. In this bad economy, theft has risen dramatically. Do a search online with the model and serial number. You should probably obtain this information before you go to look at it.

4. Check the zoom on the camera. Zoom in and out of objects. Do this several times, and see if the machine still stays in focus.

5. Give it a test drive. Record some video. Make sure that no grinding sounds emit from the machine. Watch the video on a TV or another camcorder. Make sure that the video is not blurry.

6. Check inside the machine. The inside should look nice and shiny, not worn. Also, make sure that no strange smells are coming from the machine when you're using it.

7. Refrain from machines with too many bumps and bruises. Excessive scratches or dents could mean that the camcorder was overused.

8. Take into account the extras. If the person that you're buying the machine from is throwing in mics, headsets and other items, you'll be saving some extra money.

9. Go through a professional dealer. If you're not the type to know when a machine is past its prime, go through a used video equipment dealership. Many will guarantee their work, and you can always return the item. Check out www.broadcaststore.com. They've been around for a long time and are known for their quality used machine.

How to Buy Used Video Equipment

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