I found a local cafe selling a used Vibiemme Domobar Automatic Stainless. Didnt get to ask too many questions because they were busy, but from what i gathered it was the first machine they used when they started out...before they moved to a commercial 2 group machine. He said it works perfectly. It looks in excellent shape, 2 light scratches on the side panel, and the drip tray mesh screen looks like it is either dirty or a bit of light rust on it.

My question is, what should i look for to make sure im getting a good machine, and is the price they are asking, $1250 CDN ($1162 USD) worth it? Its hard to get high end machines where i live, no stores sell them, and importing them from the states results in high customs and shipping charges.

Also if I do get it I think I will need to sell my La Pavoni Professional (wife doesnt want too much coffee equipment in the kitchen, and i dont use the machine much anyway). I just dont know what a fair asking price is. Its a pre millennium with the red base and the pro bigger boiler. I re-did all gaskets 5 months ago as well as installed a new heating element. The pressure stat has been upgraded from the regular plasticy one to a higher end all brass unit from a eurobar. I added the single whole steam tip and have 2 portafilters for it, one double spout and one that i made bottomless. Also have the stick on thermometer for the grouphead that i got from orphan espresso..It works flawlessly...just dont know what i can get for it if i can bear letting it go..

Thanks for any help guys!

Go here. Which machine is it?

this one http://www.1st-line.com/machines/comm_m ... inless.htm

My general rule of thumb is that popular high-end used equipment in primo condition can sell for as much as 70% of the current retail price. Most equipment, however, sells for 50% current retail or less, depending primarily on age, condition, popularity, model, and how motivated the seller is. For example, business closeouts may give away stuff for a song, especially if the new owner inherited the equipment as part of a larger sale and either doesn't know the actual value or simply wants to make room for their project ASAP.

As an aside, evaluation equipment for the site's reviews are treated with lots of TLC to maximize their resale value post-review. Typically the sponsor knocks 10-15% off and offers a full warranty. If the used equipment under consideration is near new, it's worth asking if the original vendor is willing to extend the warranty to the new owner. Some will and some won't.

If it came from a home I would be less concerned but coming from a commercial establishment, they probably put 2 years of home type wear on it in the first 2 months. It is a durable machine, but it still sounds a bit much to me but here in the states they are readily available. If I were getting it, I would try to knock them down another couple hundred but that is just me. It is still $600ish less than a new one. $600 bucks would get a nice grinder to go with it.

it looks like its had very little use. they say they used it as a backup for their commercial unit for when it went out for repair or service, but now have a company that picks up their unit and leaves a loaner while there is out for service. one group is not enough for cafe of their size i guess..makes sense. i took a look inside, they where very helpful in letting me take a look everywhere to see the condition, it really doesnt look like it was used full time in their cafe.

Make them an offer...maybe $1000? If you have the cash in hand, they may well take it.

sweaner wrote:Make them an offer...maybe $1000? If you have the cash in hand, they may well take it.

I did...and they took it...got it home a few hours ago. made a latte for the wife, she liked it a lot more then the ones that come from the Gaggia Baby we have been using...good thing, it was a bit of a tough sell, i now have 3 machines, this one, the gaggia and a La Pavoni Pro..so far all seems great, might need to change the group gasket, and clean the group screen, but otherwise i cant find anything wrong with it, and it was less then half the price i would pay here for a new one!! now to upgrade my grinder from a stepless Gaggia MDF.....