RESTORING A PRESS FOR RESALE?
Howdy,
I have a Craftsmen Superior Press (and stuff) that I have sadly decided to part with. My question to all:
Is it worth having the press professionally restored to a “like new” state prior to selling it? Assuming I can find a pro to restore it?
Right now it’s fine, though not in “yummy” condition–it hasn’t been used in years.
Again, my main goal is to increase its resale value, as well as put it in the best working condition possible.
Thanks in advance for your help!
You would probably put more money into restoring the press than you could ever get out of it. A good cleaning and proper set-up (maybe a new set of rollers) should be enough to make it marketable. If there is rust on the rotating ink plate or in the bed and platen area it would be a good idea to clean, but in only extreme cases would a complete restoration be called for.
Paul
I agree with Paul. I wouldn’t sink a ton of money into a press just to put it in pristine condition, but I would spend money on one to make it useable. Most new printers want something that they can use immediately. They don’t have the time or desire to scrounge around for parts and they don’t want to wait to order rollers, trucks, grippers and other replacement items. They want to get the press, ink it up and get going. For that reason, if you have a decent old press that only needs oiling and a set of rollers, I think I would invest in nice new rollers. The press would be far more desirable and you could get more for the rollers than they cost to replace.
It’s a lot like selling an antique car. It pays to at least get it running. A lot of would-be buyers won’t touch something that won’t start, because they have no idea what might be wrong with it. Let the new owner pay for a paint job and upholstery … just get it running and get it sold.