Equipment Shopping Opinions?

[GreenBay]

Hey everyone, I'm new to this forum and I just wanted to see if I can get some opinions from some people with some experience. In the next coming month or so I will be opening my own business. Its going to be an automotive shop that is going to focus on new/used tires, brakes,oil,tune-up, etc. Starting off small and will try to make my way up. I was looking at all kinds of brands of tire changers and balancers, and came across this combo:

http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/COMBO-TC755DAA-WB55

I've never heard of atlas, I was really set on buying Coats equipment, but for the price I am considering this. I just wanted to know if anyone of you guys have heard about this brand, and if you can give me any advice on anything.

Thanks A lot

 

[Streetbu]

http://nationalautotools.com/ Cheap & reliable. My friend has a shop and is still using the same balancer and tire mounter 8 years later...

 

[DMARSHALL]

I bought a lift from gregsmith about a year ago to put in my garage at home the price was right. I also use to own my own automotive shop and had rotory lifts but for the money atlas lifts are hard to beat. I live in Colorado and went down to phoenix and made my purchase after looking at all the models I would not get anything less then 10000 lb. just note atlas lifts don't have certification tags.so you might won't step up to a rotory or bendpak.

 

[DMARSHALL]

sorry I also looked at the rest of there shop equipment as long as you don't buy there cheapest model I think it will do for someone just getting into the business. hope this helps.

 

[lynnbilodeau]

This has nothing to do with WHICH tools and equipment you purchase, but....

Before you plunk down any cash, check with the local municipality to see if they have any incentive programs for new businesses. My brother moved his existing business less than a mile down the street back in 1998. As luck would have it, he was moving from small City to another. The City of his new location had an incentive program to encourage new business or expansion of an existing business. Long story short, I put together a proposal, showing projected revenues (i.e. sales tax) and the ability to hire an additional mechanic if he had two more lifts. The city ponied up half the cost of the two lifts. It's a win win.