Choosing aerial lift dealers

Buying an aerial lift involves more than just choosing the right model: you have to choose from several dealers to find one you can work with for the long term. Aerial lifts require annual inspections and ongoing maintenance, making your relationship with the dealer important.

Many dealers have worked in the industry for decades. Finding someone who's been in business for that long is a good indication that they'll be in business for years to come and be able to support your purchase.

Look for dealers who are knowledgeable about the product, too. Many aerial lift dealers do more of their business in forklifts and other types of machines, so some may not be familiar with the ins and outs of aerial lifts. Choosing a dealer who sells multiple brands of lift will give you more of a range to choose from.

Service counts
Aerial lifts require ongoing maintenance – lubrication, hydraulic fitting upkeep, and more – so ask dealers about their service policies. Will they schedule regular maintenance visits to top off fluids and inspect the machine?

Also, find out how they'll handle breakdowns: do they come to you for quick repairs? If your lift needs to go into the shop for more extensive work, will they pick it up and return it, or do you need to transport it yourself?

Ask about their technicians' qualifications, as well. How long have they been on staff? What kind of training do they have? How quickly do they work?

Because of the service needs, you'll want to choose a dealer that is reasonably close to you. Don't feel like you have to choose the absolute closest dealer, but try to find one no further than 100 or 150 miles, keeping a round trip to around half a day.

A transaction or a relationship?
Don't underestimate personal reactions in your search. Choose a dealer you feel is honest with you and who is easy to work with: those impressions are often accurate. Better dealers will carefully evaluate your needs, sometimes making site visits to help you make the right decision. Saving a thousand dollars on your initial purchase is insignificant compared to the ongoing costs you'll incur over the years.

Check references
Talking to customers can provide insight into a dealer's strengths and weaknesses. Ask for customer references, preferably of customers with aerial lift applications similar to yours.

When checking references, you can ask questions like:

• How long have you been a customer of theirs? How many lifts have you purchased?
• Did you get the right lift for your application?
• Has the dealer done a good job with maintenance?
• How was their turnaround for repairs?
• Did they provide training for your operators?
• Would you buy from this dealer again?
• What could the dealer improve about their operation?