Just as it is crucial to know whether or not one is buying a forklift to suit one’s needs best, care should also be taken to choose the right dealer. Most forklifts are acquired under some form of rental/lease arrangement which typically lasts up to five years so it is important to make sure you are dealing with a reputable dealer or OEM.
Dealers are there to maximise their company’s profits so it is crucial to keep abreast of forklift developments through the trade press and relevant bodies like the FLTA and BITA which could show certain trucks not considered by the dealer would be better for you.
When sourcing for a replacement of a large forklift fleet it would make better sense to choose one of the larger OEMs, rather than an independent dealer, who offers a wide portfolio of trucks and are familiar with truck add-ons, like high level CCTV, which could replace former, costly man-up turret trucks. Moreover, if thinking of introducing a level of automation to mix with forklifts then the big materials handling automation specialists with feet in both camps strengthens the case for dealing with OEMs .
If preferring to deal with independent dealers because your modest needs seem uncomplicated there are basic precautions that should be taken because not all dealers are equally minded, and making a decision on price alone could be a big mistake, as the small print in a contract could reveal. Also, just as contract conditions can vary so, too, can the productivity of trucks, with some being up to 20% more productive. Such high productivity machines may be initially more costly but over their life span the life cycle costs would prove a better deal.
This reveals the potential weakness of appointing a dealer with a narrow range of truck types. The FLTA regularly hears reports of dealers who won’t specify a truck they don’t currently hold in stock, even if it is the most suitable truck for the task in hand. The risk from this is that a buyer could end up with much more trucks than he needs.
Some means of protection and assurance can be had if dealing only with members of the FLTA. Such vetted members are in the business for the long haul and their dedication is underpinned by the FLTA code of practice. All members must agree to achieve and maintain the Association’s defined standards for safety, efficiency and integrity. Among other requirements they must follow quality-controlled processes to ensure customer queries and complaints are handled fairly and promptly.
Other FLTA checkpoints include: 1) Can the dealer back up service commitments and if so how, 2) Have the company’s customers stuck around, or did they leave after a poor experience, 3) Does the dealer have access to different financiers. If so it could mean a more competitive quote.
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