1) it is one of the most significant means of how your customers judge you

2) it has a huge affect on how, where and how effectively you can work

There is a variety of vehicles, trailers and equipment available to a caterer and there is a variety of manufacturers that can supply them, so how do you make sure that you are dealing with a company you can trust and get the most for your money?

Is it right for you?

Getting the advice from somebody who uses their product(s) can give you information about the manufacturer as well as their products.

How well is it built?

You need equipment that will work reliably; All the fancy gadgets in the world won’t help if your equipment keeps breaking down or contravenes some legal need for hygiene or road safety.

Are there any type approvals or certification by independent or government bodies that the manufacturer can provide?

Not all products need or require certification but make sure that some fundamentals are covered, like laden weights, safety features and CE marking, especially where things like gas or electricity are concerned.

Does it comply with hygiene standards set by your local Environmental Health department?

In the case of catering trailers our advice is don’t buy it unless it has a valid gas and electrical certificate.Check to ensure that food safe materials have been used in the construction, that hand washing facilities are in place and always check the general ease of cleaning the vehicle.

Is there a good quality finish to the vehicle / equipment?

Like buying a car make sure the quality is what you expect, check for sharp edges, strength of build, dents and scratches, in particular ease of cleaning.

How long will it last?

Which means how long will your investment last. These are commercial items and have a hard life but with care and servicing they should give you many years of good use.

Back-up and Support

You need to know what to do if things are going wrong and need a company that will help you.

Is there a warranty if (and when) things go wrong, what does it cover and for how long?

Every product must be warranted as ‘fit for purpose’ for a period of time but find out what you have to do to keep this warranty (try getting a warranty repair on your car if you’ve never had it serviced). Ask about any items that have different warranties, fridges, cookers and heaters are common examples. 

What about insurance or accident repairs, can anyone do it or is the supplier willing and able to do it?

Accidents do happen so get an idea of what this will do to you – can you get the parts.

If your equipment breaks down, is there anything available for you to rent or borrow to keep your business going?

Very few companies can do this but it can be invaluable if you are building up your own customers’ loyalty and a reputation for reliability.

Can you call for help and advice when you need it?

Every company should be available on the phone but quality of service and ability can vary enormously.

What is the company like?

You’re putting your money and faith in them so ask yourself – do you trust them?

Is there a factory, an office or just a field where your potential supplier is? 

The chances are an established business will have established premises and are less likely to disappear with your hard earned cash.

If it is a vehicle or trailer, can you see it being built or is it in stock?

A lot of companies will be building your vehicle/ trailer to your order but all should be happy for you to see it actually happening, especially if a substantial deposit has had to be paid.

Is the manufacturer or a supplier a member of a professional body such as NCASS?

This all helps to build a picture of who is reliable and who is not. The professional body will have information about the company and let you avoid high pressure sales.

Finances

This is more than just a cost of your equipment, it is about the company you’re going to trust to support you, it’s about what other costs are you going to meet over time and how not to lose out to fast talking salesmen.

Can you check the financial stability of your supplier?

It is often difficult to establish how safe your supplier is if it is a small company but try asking your lender or insurance agents to check them out. This is a standard requirement in business deals so don’t be afraid to ask directly, the alternative could be losing all your money and your vehicle if the company folds.

Ensure your vehicle / equipment is written up correctly on the insurance form!

Pretending the vehicle/ equipment is something that it’s not might give a cheaper premium but will mean it’s not covered and you’re breaking the law.

Is the contract offered clear and understood, with terms and conditions well laid out?

Make sure there is nothing hidden from you.

The deposit should be an agreed percentage and probably not more than 10-20% (this does vary)!

The company needs to know you are committed but shouldn’t expect all the money before they’ve even started building it. Find out under what conditions your deposit is forfeited or can be returned (e.g. you change your mind or if or can’t deliver what they promised). You don’t pay for a car till its ready to drive or be delivered and your catering equipment should be no different. Watch out for people wanting all your money up front, whatever the reason! You shouldn’t be expected to pay everything till you are sure your unit is on its way but neither should the company expect to wait for you to pay after delivering. A good business will have a way of exchanging money and goods that is fair to both parties.

Is the product pricing structured and clear or do they ask you for as much as they think they can get? 

You are buying a business tool not a second hand car. Offering big discounts might mean their products were overpriced and they were trying to con you into a deal so ask yourself, what else might be overpriced?

Are options and extras clear and well defined at the start or are extra costs going to creep in once you are committed?

Buying your equipment should be straight forward, there is no need to change prices if everything is agreed up front.

Can it be resold if things don’t go well or if you want to renew it?

Selling your equipment on, or running it till it falls apart is up to you and any promise of resale prices should be taken with a pinch of salt. But, it can be nice to have an indication of what might happen a few years down the line.

Equipment

Make sure that all the equipment inside is of the required standard, it should have a plate on it with a valid CE mark on the appliance data plate with a four-digit number beneath the CE letters. If you are buying a new trailer and the equipment does not carry this mark then it is illegal and you should not buy it. If the seller tells you that it is just red tape or that he has installed second hand equipment or even better run the equipment to make it second hand before he installed it DO NOT BUY IT. The appliance data plate should also display a PIN and a serial number and whilst there may be appliances in older vehicles that do not comply, new appliances that have been certified by a notified body will display the following:

• Manufacturer's name

• Model number

• Serial number • PIN

• CE Mark to prescribed format as shown below

 Remember Buyer Beware - if it looks too good to be true it usually is!