Questions we are asked
The questions buyers ask us before they commit to a machine held in China.
Price and value
Is it cheaper to buy construction equipment from China?+
In almost every case yes, and the gap is large. A machine bought from the yard that owns it in China commonly lands in your country for less than a comparable machine would cost you locally, even after freight. The saving comes from volume and from cutting out the dealer margin, not from the machine being worse.
How much money can I actually save buying from China?+
It depends on your route, but buyers routinely find the landed cost well below local dealer pricing for the same age and hours. The honest way to work it out is to add our price to the freight we quote you and compare that single figure against a local quotation, rather than comparing sticker prices.
What is the cheapest machine you have in China?+
The Dynapac CC211 roller at USD 26,000 is the lowest priced machine in our Qingdao yard right now. Among excavators the Caterpillar 320D at USD 35,000 is the cheapest, and it carries only 480 hours.
Why are used machines in China so much cheaper than in Europe?+
Because the supply is enormous. Machines come off Chinese projects in large numbers and the domestic market cannot absorb them all, so they are sold on for export at prices that reflect that oversupply rather than what a European dealer could charge.
Paying for the machine
What are your payment terms for machines in China?+
Seventy five percent up front, which secures the machine and starts the export preparation, then the remaining twenty five percent before it ships. That balance is payable within ten days.
Who receives my money when I buy a machine held in China?+
Beaumont Investment Group, LLC in the United States, which is our parent company. You are not sending money to an unknown account in a country you have never visited, and you can look the company up before you transfer anything.
Do I have to pay everything before the machine leaves China?+
Yes, the full amount is settled before the machine sails. That is standard across this trade and it protects both sides, because once a machine is loaded neither of us can easily undo the arrangement.
Choosing a supplier
Who is the best exporter of used machinery in China?+
Judge any exporter on four things: do they publish prices, do they own the machines or just broker them, who receives your payment, and will they let an independent inspector into the yard. We publish every price, we own our stock, payment goes to an American company, and inspectors are welcome. Ask the same four questions of anyone else.
How do I know an exporter in China actually owns the machines?+
Ask them to photograph a specific detail on the machine on the day you ask, such as the hour meter with today's date written beside it. A broker who does not have the machine cannot do this. We do it as a matter of course.
Should I buy through Alibaba or direct from the yard?+
Buying direct removes a layer of cost and a layer of confusion. On a listing site you often cannot tell whether you are talking to the owner of the machine or to somebody who has copied the photographs, which is exactly where problems start.
Getting it to you
How long does it take to receive a machine from China?+
It depends on your port and the sailing schedule at the time you book. Rather than give you a number that could be wrong next month, tell us your destination and we will confirm what is actually sailing on that route.
Which countries do you send Chinese machines to most often?+
West Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia, the Caucasus, Central Asia, the Caribbean and South America are our regular lanes out of Qingdao. If your country has a working seaport we can quote for it.
Can I buy several machines from China in one shipment?+
Yes, and it usually works out cheaper per machine because the freight is shared. There is also a little more room on the machine price when more than one is moving together.
What paperwork do I get with a machine bought from China?+
You receive the commercial invoice, the packing list and the bill of lading, which is what your clearing agent needs at your end. We prepare these before the machine sails so nothing holds you up at the port.
