[AAE]

I just offered someone 300$ including shipping (which he says is 65$) for a new (no brand specified) 16x 20 with 5 add'l different size platens (looks like for baby clothes pant legs, sleeves, youth size and something else). He wants 350$ for it not including the shipping so all together I would be dishing out like 415$. Did I insult him by my offer ? is this package worth 415$ if not what would u offer? He says he only has 3 left of these packages. Do i even need these other platens or can I do everything ( shirts, sleeves, pant legs etc) on 1 press maybe something bigger is needed like a 20x20 or? Should I wait to see what he has Nxt or what someone else has? Need help quick I have less than 2 days to decline/ accept/or counter his counter offer.
Heeeeeellllp lol

 

[lben]

I paid $28 to UPS a couple of years ago to ship an 18 pound package from Ohio to Arizona! That press will tip the scales at 45-75 pounds. $65 for shipping it is reasonable. Sounds like a multi-use press. I have one that does shirts, plates, caps, and mugs. He's selling Chinese presses, sounds like. They can be gotten relatively cheaply. $350 is a good price for a 16x20 press, but $300 for the press AND shipping won't fly.

 

[AAE]

Thanks soo much for the advice Loretta. Finally deciding to step out and do these shirts. I wanna be a good steward over my $$$ that's why I'm being extra cautious, I want to be secure with this purchase knowing I've made the right decision. I just wanna get the right one for now that's going to last at least 5-7 years if not longer, ya know. The name of the machine I was referring to is Vesta, have you heard of them? What machine do you have? How many different platens does it come with, if any. If it's only 1 shirt platen are you able to do long sleeve shirts,socks, pant legs, youth, and baby as well as adult t-shirts?
These are the items that I will be doing even caps down the line. In your opinion do you think I should make the ultimate purchase now or just get something 300-400 just to get started and get my foot in the door?
I know I'm asking oodles of questions, but I just don't wanna make a mistake with my first purchase,lol. I know I will make mistakes just don't want them to be the mistakes that cost the most ya know;0)

 

[selanac]

Other than t-shirts, Heat Presses are the lowest cost in this business.

You made a good choice for the price. Some cost Hundreds more.

 

[lben]

A cheap press is a cheap press. It won't last for 5-7 years. You'll be lucky to get one year out of it. But it's a start. Bring in more business, save up and get a nice press. You don't really need different size platens to do that stuff, pants maybe, but not the rest. The one I got is a 4 in 1 press and it isn't a brand name, it's just a cheap Chinese press. The one I want to get is the Hotronix Fusion, but it's very expensive. Start cheap and see if you like doing it first. Just make sure you get a digital temp gauge and a digital timer with alarm.

 

[selanac]

Iben, Vesta's and Microtec are good products. I have a Microtec 16 x 20, auto open and pull out drawer. This is an awesome heat press.

 

[lben]

Iben, Vesta's and Microtec are good products. I have a Microtec 16 x 20, auto open and pull out drawer. This is an awesome heat press.

I've never heard of either one of them, so I'll take your word for it. Mine is a no-name, Chinese press.

 

[Snakepitstudios]

65 is a good price for shipping. I ship heavy stuff all the time and I am happy when I get this price.

 

[royster13]

Sometimes buying a cheap product is like buying a lottery ticket....Lots of losers with the occasional winner....So each individuals experience may vary......

Pro World Inc sells Microtec.....[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kA8TcAc2Qls[/media]

 

[AAE]

All if this is very good advice thanks everyone. I'm excited to start now but think I might try to told out a little longer to get a hotronix or another VERY good press, b/c the press will literally be the lively hood of my business. But can I wait that long is the question.

 

[lben]

But can I wait that long is the question.

Sometimes the longer you wait the higher the price goes. Keep your eye out for sales or specials.

 

[selanac]

People hate when I say this, but you can always buy another one after you bring in some cash.

One good custom job brings in some good money. Especially since we have all the spring and summer events coming up.

One job can pay for your press. Even an expensive job. Family reunions, weddings, birthday parties, retirements, teaching people how to make money selling your products, custom logo's etc.

 

[AAE]

People hate when I say this, but you can always buy another one after you bring in some cash.

One good custom job brings in some good money. Especially since we have all the spring and summer events coming up.

One job can pay for your press. Even an expensive job. Family reunions, weddings, birthday parties, retirements, teaching people how to make money selling your products, custom logo's etc.

Sounds familiar.. My biz partner thinks along the same line he's actually the reason why I'm taki g my time, if it was up to me I would have been purchased a eat press. Do t j ie if that's food or bad,lol. Just sooo ready to move forward I can taste it but slow And steady wins the race right.

 

[selanac]

That's the problem with having partners.

If you wait to long jobs will low down for the fall and Winter

 

[AAE]

@selanac your right so should i just jump in and get a cheap press for like $200-$250? just to get started I can always sell it and get a better one later right? what do you suggest.

 

[D3L0C4T3D]

Im in the markrt for a.ptess too and I like that price, who ate you ordering from?

Sent from my SPH-D710 using T-Shirt Forums

 

[AAE]

Im in the markrt for a.ptess too and I like that price, who ate you ordering from?

Sent from my SPH-D710 using T-Shirt Forums

I was looking at some pressed from some top rated suppliers on Ebay but decided that I wanted to save and get a real work horse. This will not be a hobby for me, therefore I know whatever press I invest in now will be around for many years to come I'm going with a Maxx, Hotronix, or Geo Knight...I've heard rave reviews about all of them. Added not make sure you think about the support system that come with you machine b/c if you plan to use your machine on a regular basis, than eventually some work may need to be done to it. You wanna make sure that a support system is set in place for those times, free tech support is always a plus. What I've heard from ppl that bought from these Co's is that they even send you the part for free depending on what the damage is, that's something to think about before purchasing. That extra $$$ spend on your press will be well worth it, in the long run when you need to use there services.

Just think of it like this, would you rather get a car from a junk yard, granted it's still in good condition, but is sold as is and has no warranty? If anything breaks you're fixing it. Or would you get a new car from a reputable dealer, that has a warranty and support system in place, so if possible problems arise you can call or bring it in and get a fixed?

 

[selanac]

How much Tech Support do you need for a heat press? The support you'll need is how to heat press your transfers. How long, how much pressure, types of transfers, paper, foil.

I know many people including myself in this, that have screen printed for a long while and still have the same heat presses.

Heat presses go bad, but you can easily replace the part.

 

[AAE]

Will remember that while I'm press shopping. I wanna wait till the ISS show in ATL...if I can contain my excitement.

 

[selanac]

The Majority of Screen Printing and Heat Pressing is during the warmer months. If you wait to long, and expecting to recoup your money you might have to wait longer.