Why it doesn’t matter where your forklift comes from, it matters how well it works.
There has been a lot of FUD (that’s fear, uncertainty and doubt), going around lately regarding imported forklifts. Allow us to explain what others may not.
1. Do you import your forklifts
Yes. No one makes forklifts in Australia any more. the economics simply don’t make sense. Any forklift you can buy new today has been imported, some from Japan, some from the USA, some from countries like Thailand and, wait for it, China.
2. Are your forklifts Chinese
Our YMA forklift brand sells Chinese forklifts. The construction and engineering on these forklifts is as fine as we have seen anywhere. The label ‘made in China’ tends to get a bad rap these days. In fact, many consumer and industrial goods are made there. From shoes and clothing to computers and phones, cars and trains, China is a manufacturing powerhouse. There is nothing inherently wrong with a Chinese forklift. What matters is will the item I am purchasing do the job it is intended for? If you purchase a YMA Forklift the answer is an unqualified yes.
3. Are your forklifts well made and reliable
Absolutely yes. Remember that we have to service and warranty these forklifts. Anything we sell has to be reliable, otherwise we will use up all the profit we make selling these forklifts in repair costs. YMA forklifts are simple, rugged and well built. We stake our reputation and our business on this, and we would not offer an inferior product, simply because we would go out of business.
4. Can I get parts for a YMA Forklift
Yes. These forklifts are sold in China and all around the world. The manufacturer holds a large quantity of spare parts and can air freight anything we require to Australia in 2 business days. In addition a large proportion of the forklift is based on standard, modular parts readily available in Australia. The hydraulic system uses standard couplings and hoses. All the bolts and nuts are standard metric. The transmission and engine are types used on other forklift models and are thus available for order from major parts suppliers.
5. I have seen other suppliers boasting that Japanese or US made forklifts will last 40 years. Is this true and will YMA forklifts last this long?
Have you driven a 40 year old forklift? We have and it’s not pretty. Every time we receive one here as a trade-in, we have to face the decision between selling or scrapping. The fact is that when suppliers tell you that they have 40 year old examples of ‘Brand A’, what the don’t mention is that this example is probably part of the 5% of units from this year model still operating. That is to say 95% of the 40 year old forklifts have been decommissioned and used for parts to keep the other 5% going. Do your sales reps drive 40 year old cars? Didn’t think so. Don’t expect your operators to drive 40 year old forklifts, and especially don’t take this as a measure of quality because it’s not. Will some YMA forklifts be working after 40 years? Probably. Would I prefer to use a modern forklift in 2052? Absolutely.
6. Your prices seem too good. Surely there is a catch?
No. We simply recognise that for the majority of users, a simple and easy to use forklift at the right price is far more attractive than a brand new, whiz bang model with all the features, at twice the price. We sell a well made product at a reasonable price. We don’t expect a 50% profit on each forklift, merely that we make a profit. Because we run a much leaner operation, we don’t need to make a large amount from each forklift. We source direct from the manufacturer, there is no importer / distributor. We don’t have a huge sales team or marketing budget, so we don’t need to pad the bottom line. And lastly we pass the savings on to our grateful customers.
We hope this article has been of interest to you. Always remember, a forklift isn’t a status symbol, or a personal vehicle. It is a tool, and just like any tool the best variety is the one that does the job, and nothing more, every day, at the best possible price.
If you have any questions or would like to speak to one of our sales staff, please contact us or call 03 9723 9306.
How to purchase your new forklift – Buy, Rent or Lease?
It’s a question that comes up a lot. Buy, rent or lease your new (or used) forklift. Each approach offers specific advantages and disadvantages. It comes down to what is right for the forklift purchaser and what is appropriate for the price and model being purchased. This is a summary of the available options that will hopefully help you to make the decision that is right for your business.
Buying a Forklift
The simplest and most popular method of purchasing a forklift. You choose your unit, give the dealer a cheque and they deliver your new unit. Appeals to many people, particularly those with no business credit rating. For many lower priced units it is the only feasible purchasing method, most lenders will not lease anything but a brand new forklift, even if purchased from a reputable dealer.
| Pros | Cons |
| Cheaper overall than rental or lease | The buyer is responsible for all upkeep and repairs (excepting warranty work |
| Easier purchase – less paperwork and no need to have a good credit rating | Not as good for business tax purposes |
| No ongoing lease expense | Purchase must be made in one lump sum |
| You can resell your forklift at any time easily | If your needs change you can’t return it to the dealer and swap for another unit |
Forklift Rental
Great for short periods of usage, renting a used forklift is the preferred method for large companies who want to spread out their expenses over a long period, and also the best way to obtain a modern, fully equipped forklift without a large capital expense or financing, which may not be feasible for small businesses.
| Pros | Cons |
| No upfront cost | Continual ongoing expense, higher than lease payments |
| No maintenance expenses | Operator is responsible for any damage |
| Option to switch to another forklift when your requirements change | Rental company can withdraw your contract at any time |
| Easy to add to monthly bills | Will never be ‘paid off’, continual ongoing expense |
| Can be returned if no longer required | Unable to recover sunk costs by reselling |
Forklift Leasing
Leasing is the third way to purchase a forklift. It’s less common than buying or rental, because it’s usually only available for new forklifts, and thus is typically a dealer supplied option. The main advantages are the same as leasing a car, a fixed repayment over several years, with the option of a renewal on a new unit or a balloon payment on completion.
While very desirable for tax purposes, leasing is not for every business as it requires you to have good credit and be able to afford the lease on a new forklift, which is something that you may not require.
| Pros | Cons |
| No upfront cost | Large balloon payment at the end of lease |
| Can return forklift at end of lease and replace with a smaller or larger unit | Responsible for al maintenance and upkeep of forklift |
| The cheapest way to obtain a brand new forklift | Only available on new forklifts, not used forklifts |
| Cheaper than forklift rental | Must have good credit |
We hope that this article on purchasing methods for new forklifts and used forklifts is helpful to you when making your purchasing decision. Remember to check out our used forklifts, and our new YMA Forklift range as well. Don’t forget we are just a phone call or email away, even if you end up purchasing elsewhere, give us a call to compare models and pricing, or for advice on unit selection.
How to Choose a Forklift
Everyone knows how to choose a car. After all, most people drive them every day. But how do you choose a forklift?
To most people, forklifts appear to be all the same, but when they get down to details, they come with a bewildering variety of options and accessories, lift heights and classes.
What is important to remember is that the right forklift for you is the one that does the job you need, reliably and at a minimum of expense. For 90% of buyers this will be a general purpose, LPG powered forklift with a capacity of 1.5 to 3 tonnes. These are the most common types of units available in Australia, and with good reason. Think of them like a Holden Commodore, reliable and flexible, able to be used in a wide variety of applications. But by no means are they the only type of units available.
