When your current fleet of shopping carts has seen better days, you have a decision to make: you can either invest in repairs for your most damaged carts or replace your carts entirely. In many cases, the second option is more prudent over the long run. Should you decide to replace your stock, however, you’ll be faced with another choice, this time involving the condition of carts you purchase. Brand new shopping carts are sturdier and more aesthetically appealing than used carts, but they’re typically more expensive. If you’re looking for ways to cut costs, then, it might seem more practical to search for used shopping carts for sale instead. If so, it’s crucial to do your research before closing the deal – after all, the previous owner got rid of those carts for a reason, so you’ll want to make sure that the carts you’re considering check off a number of important boxes.

Here’s what you should pay attention to when you’re looking at used shopping carts for sale so you end up with a reliable replacement fleet for your store.

What to Know About a Used Shopping Cart

Are They in Good Condition?

This is the first question anyone will ask before purchasing any used item, whether it’s as small as a video game or as big as a car. Shopping carts are no exceptions. If your goal is to replace your current carts, the replacements must be in at least as good condition as the existing stock. Otherwise, you’re just trading damaged goods for alternative damaged goods, losing money in the process. For the deal to be worth your while, the carts you intend to buy should be newer and/or in much better condition than your current fleet. Ask the seller about the history of the used carts, digging into why they’re up for sale and whether they feature any design flaws or damage. Ideally, these used carts will be refurbished and like new so they’re able to withstand the various pressures they’ll endure at your location. As a general rule, whether they’re used, like-new, or brand new, only buy shopping carts that are built to last.

Are They Customizable?

One of the key advantages of purchasing new shopping carts rather than used ones is that many cart manufacturers can work with you to customize colors and add your logo before shipping them out (these carts also tend to come in a variety of sizes and shapes). Many used shopping carts, on the other hand, will either feature colors and logos of previous owners or simply don a bland, generic appearance. That said, some companies make it their mission to transform used carts into the image desired by their new buyers. While these refurbishing companies can’t change the size or shape of the old carts, they can install handles that contain your company’s logo, paint the cart a specific color, and more. If customization and consistency matter to you and your business’ brand, make sure these options are available for any used carts you purchase.

How Many Can You Purchase at Once?

One of the hardest parts of purchasing shopping carts, new and used, is determining how many to purchase at a given time. You want to make sure you buy enough to meet your customer demands, but you also don’t want to go overboard and run out of storage space (or break the bank). These challenges are only amplified when seeking used carts. For starters, the size of your purchase in this case is limited by the number of used carts that are available at a given time. Moreover, there’s no telling whether a seller will have a fleet of the same type of cart that’s significant enough to make a bulk purchase. Buying used carts in piecemeal fashion will yield you an inconsistent stock, which is neither practical nor visually appealing. It’s also generally less expensive per unit to purchase several carts at once than one or two at a time. As such, pay attention to both quantity and consistency when shopping for used carts.

Is the Seller Reputable?

This consideration is directly linked to all the rest listed here. A disreputable seller will withhold important information, overcharge, and otherwise take little (if any) responsibility should something go wrong after the fact. Just because someone advertises that they have used shopping carts for sale doesn’t mean they should be immediately trusted. Reading online reviews can help you separate the reliable sellers from the charlatans.

Is the Cost Worth the Risk?

How much does a used shopping cart cost? The answer depends on a number of factors, but there’s no denying that used carts are generally cheaper than brand new ones. Still, initial costs aren’t the only costs to consider. If the carts you purchase wind up breaking down faster than anticipated, you’ll need to go through this process all over again, costing you more time and money. Conversely, if your carts hold up for several years without the need for major repairs, you won’t have to worry about throwing additional dollars at cart-related matters for a while. So, while brand new carts will cost you more up front, they might actually save you significantly in the long run compared to their previously-used counterparts. This isn’t to say that buying used carts is never worth it – rather, if you’re set on buying used carts, make sure they’re a worthy investment before finalizing.

Buying Shopping Carts: Used or New?

Like any other product, there are pros and cons associated with purchasing both used and new shopping carts. If you know what to look for and have some time to spare, buying used carts that are in good condition may be worth your while. If, on the other hand, you’re looking for the best quality carts with full customization options, you’ll want to work with a manufacturer like Good L Corp. to replace your fleet.

Good L Corporation delivers innovative shopping cart and basket solutions for retailers on a global scale. Good L Corp. can configure the right carryall strategy to boost your retail business, from a fleet of new custom carts to launch your store opening to replacement baskets that supplement your existing shop supply. Let’s get started! Contact us today for a no-pressure sales quote!