This report analyses the Japanese market.
Want to buy a noodle-making machine and try making their own noodles. Want to offer original menus with original noodles. I want to sell noodles for souvenirs. This is something that anyone who runs a noodle shop or udon shop thinks about at least once. The cost per meal can be reduced considerably if a noodle-making machine is introduced. However, when it comes to actually introducing a noodle-making machine, many functional good noodle-making machines are pricey. Just like buying a car, I want to spend as little as possible. Every noodle shop owner has such a desire. In this article, we will consider the advantages and disadvantages of used noodle-making machines.
*In this article, noodle-making machines without a manufacturer’s warranty that have been purchased at auctions or resale are described as used noodle-making machines.
1. the risks of buying a used noodle-making machine
(1) Used products do not receive maintenance or parts supply.
Many users may only find out about this after they have purchased the machine, but it is extremely unlikely that they will be able to get machine parts supplied by the manufacturer even if they buy a second-hand machine. It is also unlikely that you will be able to receive maintenance services. However, from the manufacturer’s point of view, it is necessary to understand the entire situation of the machine again and to be able to say that it is absolutely safe. However, the law (Product Liability Act) states that the manufacturer must know the entire situation of the machine again and be able to say that it is “absolutely safe”. So you can’t just hand over the parts and say, “Please take care of the rest.” You can’t just hand over the parts and say, “Please take care of the rest”.
(2) Used ones may have been modified.
As mentioned above, used machines are not known in any way about their maintenance status or how they have been used by the user. If we don’t know, there is a high possibility that the machine is not in perfect condition. There is also a possibility that the machine may have been modified in a strange way by amateurs with easy ideas. This would increase the risk of injury or accident. The most important thing for machine manufacturers is customer safety. It is not recommended to operate unsafe machines.
(3) Used equipment is not as cheap as it seems.
Basically, used machines give the impression of being cheaper. However, in most cases, the price of a new machine and a used machine is often not that different. The reason is that used machines are not so common on the market. Therefore, the seller will consider selling the machine as close to the price of a new machine as possible. If the price is almost half of the original price, it is a very good deal, but that is unlikely to happen. For some manufacturers, it is more profitable to buy new or overhauled. Some companies offer the manufacturer’s know-how and documentation free of charge, so if the price remains the same, wait and see about an overhauled product. However, please note that popular machines can have a one-year wait.
(4) The legal depreciation and useful life of noodle-making machines is 10 years.
Basically, an expensive noodle-making machine will last nearly 20 years if it is maintained. If you buy a machine with an unknown history, you only increase the risk of it breaking down immediately after purchase, as long as you take care of it. Also, while it is possible to lease a new machine, it is not possible to lease a second-hand machine. If you are looking for used equipment, make sure it comes with a manufacturer’s warranty. If so, instalment payments may be available.
(5) No advance instructions on use and safety and no operating instructions.
Noodle-making machines are equipped with various safety devices for ‘customer safety’. However, no matter how many safety devices are provided, used machines are often not fully explained in advance compared to official purchases, so there are cases where users continue to use the machine without knowing which parts are protected by safety devices and which parts the user needs to be careful about. In the case of second-hand machines, there is no prior explanation by the manufacturer and in many cases the instruction manual is missing, so the user continues to use the machine without fully understanding the safety aspects of the noodle-making machine, which can be very dangerous.
2. case study: accident that happened with a used noodle-making machine
Hand entrapment accidents caused by old used noodle-making machines
This is the case of a person who purchased a second-hand noodle-making machine made in 2003. While making udon noodles on the machine, the dough was sucked into the rolling rolls and he immediately took the dough in his hand and tried to pull it out. As he stuck his hand into the dough being held by the rolling rolls, his hand was also caught in the rolling rolls and his fingertips were crushed. Although the rolling rolls of this noodle-making machine are now secured against hand entry, the safety mechanism was inadequate because the machine was old and beyond its statutory depreciation and useful life.
In this case,
・An old noodle-making machine with inadequate safety mechanisms had been installed.
・Information on the safety mechanisms of the noodle-making machine was not available because of the second-hand machine
・The user did not fully understand the safety features of the noodle-making machine.
Other factors contributing to the accident include
Similar accidents have also occurred in cases where ‘modified machines with safety devices removed were purchased’.
When introducing a used noodle-making machine without a manufacturer’s warranty, the risk of such safety-related accidents increases in exchange for a lower price.
3. if you have bought a second-hand one
If you have found a market-rate cheap noodle-making machine and have bought a second-hand one first, it is advisable to consult the manufacturer to get it maintained and overhauled. Also, attend a school organised by the noodle-making machine manufacturer and explain the situation. It is important to realise that handling a noodle-making machine without prior learning is as close as possible to driving a car without a licence. In the worst case, it can lead to a serious accident. Furthermore, if you attend a noodle school organised by a well-known company, you will be taught the know-how of homemade noodles. Everyone’s business environment is different. Get lessons in total positive management from companies that have the data.
4. if you still consider second-hand
All manufacturers’ overhauled products are slightly cheaper and the machines of all companies are quite popular. As a result, they are often sold out as soon as they appear on the market. You can also consult each manufacturer first, as the manufacturer’s sales representatives may introduce you to people who have enquired about used machines in the past before they go on the market.