Blog

Questions and Answers with Bob Connor Q: How did you join Clark Machinery Sales?A: Growing up, my family owned a warehousing and logistics company called Connor Trading Company, which eventually became Locust Industries. I went to work for them as a truck dispatcher after college, and eventually moved from operation...

I’m usually all about marketing, branding, “top of mind” – and I don’t fault companies for using each holiday as a reason to reach back out to customers under the guise of holiday-celebration. But sometimes I balk at this, even though we do it as well. Somehow, I’m more sentimental this year. Maybe it’s my oldest ch...

One of the first questions you might have when starting the appraisal process is what the timeline will be. There are several factors that play into the determination of this.Is the appraisal inspected or uninspected – when we are required to coordinate a time, travel to your facility, and document all the informati...

Having been a machine tool dealer for over 20 years and an appraiser for much of that time, one of the most common questions I receive is, “what type of appraisal should I get?” After a series of questions from my side, we generally learn that the customer’s needs are like most manufacturer’s needs – they need a cu...

Are you looking to upgrade and need to trade-in your current CNC machine for a newer model? We have a trusted process in place to handle your trade-in with your new dealer of choice AND help you get the best value for your machine. If you are planning to buy a new machine at IMTS, now is the time to act. IMTS is ra...

Appraisals are like a well-stocked toolbox, you don’t know which one you’ll need, but it’s good to be ready with the right tool. This blog will help you determine when to hire an appraiser and what to expect.Clark Machinery Sales is a longstanding member of the Machinery Dealers National Association (MDNA) and the ...

Questions and Answers with Pete Zaleski Q: How did you join Clark Machinery Sales?A: While catching up with Troy and Helen for lunch one fateful day, I mentioned that I was having a hard time finding the right job for me- one that put me in a position to give back to my customers, co-workers, and community. Firefigh...

Often, I receive the following question: “Do you have control of this machine deal? Why do I see it on other dealer’s websites? How am I supposed to know who to work with?”Here’s the anatomy of how it happens:Let’s say we find a Haas ST-30Y, only a few years old, super clean. Our first step in promoting it is to pu...

A friend of mine made a bucket-list purchase of an antique, forest green, Jaguar coupe. I can assure you he took every care to ensure it showed up at his door as spotless as the pictures he received from the showroom seven states away. When you purchase a machine, you are spending on average two to three times as ...

I love the movies. The last movie I saw in the theaters was “Free Guy”, Ryan Reynolds latest blockbuster. It’s all about an NPC (Non-Playable Character) in an online game realizing his freedom and capitalizing on it. Everyone likes freedom. Americans celebrate it daily (or try). But most machine shops buying us...

Questions & Answers with Dan PurcellTroy: Congratulations on securing your USPAP appraiser certification! How do you see the value of this?Dan: Thank you. On one level this certification helps expand my services professionally. On another level, the fact that we now have three Certified Equipment Appraisers on staf...

Full disclosure, I sell used machine tools for a living, so I know I’m biased when discussing the reasons you should buy a used machine. Despite that, in selling machines for over 10 years, I’ve seen first-hand the benefits that buying used offers to our customers.This is in no way an argument against buying a new m...

Questions & Answers with Don AroTroy: Congratulations on securing the highest level of AMEA certification, your Certified Equipment Appraiser (CEA) status, and passing your USPAP (Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice) training course! How do you see the value of this?Don: Thank you! Becoming a certif...

Here are 5 suggestions that I always make when I am presented with machinery a customer wants me to broker for them. My conviction is that the five suggestions below enable most situations to be win-win for both seller and buyer.1. Clean the machine. I just sold an Okuma Cadet LNC-8. Great machine. Low use, and cutt...

I’ve never been impressed by status. Growing up in Indiana there was no room for prestige or titles in farm country. You were known by your actions and your integrity. There were plenty of bragging rights, like – who could run down the back lane the fastest or solve the Rubik’s cube or take the trash out to the burn...

In our past two articles we have shared two of the three primary mistakes buyers of new machinery sometimes make. These observations are from our vantage point when assessing value and potential resale desirability. Not the sole focus when buying new, but certainly worthy to consider as we have seen it bring heartac...

Our previous blog referenced 3 basic mistakes we have seen our customers make when purchasing new machines from their OEM dealer of choice. The first article addressed what we have seen when lathes are purchased. Our recommendation, while not dramatic, was – when possible always include a tailstock (not to mention l...

Ever wish you knew more? I do. I always wish I knew more because when I don’t know enough is when I experience disappointment. And the more I grow in my professional life, the more I realize my limitations. But I keep growing. I used to be a college kid, now I’ve got two kids of my own. I used to be a salesman, now ...

Last fall a great customer shot me an email, “Troy, if you can find me another Haas ST30SSY , just like the other one you sold me, I’d have interest.” Say no more! When one of your best customers asks anything of you – you jump to it!This customer is very special to me. I have been to his plant, met his team and sol...

The famous management guru, Peter Drucker, is cited as having made the claim, “Culture eats strategy for breakfast.” We’re big on strategy and I bet you are too. But, we have found that the DNA of our company culture is the driving force of all our strategy. What is that culture and what does it mean for our custome...

Every once in a while we’re able to help the right hand find the left hand and get a deal done. But sometimes a third hand is needed to make the circle whole.In August of 2020, we took a call from an oil & gas manufacturer in Texas who was struggling because of the low oil prices and Covid-19 slow down. He’d been re...

The Team at Clark Machinery Sales wishes you and your family peace and joy this holiday season. In 2020, more than in any other year, we have been impressed by our marvelous customers, partners, and vendors. Merry Christmas!

One question that has always bedeviled machinery dealers (and therefor shop owners as well) is this: “Why don’t all machines sell all the time?” Another way to put the question would be, “Why do certain machines sell quickly this year and sit around the next?” Thank you for sharing our pain! Here’s our thoughts on i...

Is it Fanuc or Fanuc?Sounds ridiculous, but for the past 20 years of my buying and selling machines I have heard manufacturers, dealers and technicians pronounce the name of this storied CNC Control manufacturer differently. Shoot, I’ll even say it differently depending on the day or on the machine.The company is fa...

It can happen anytime during the year. We have a name for it, we call it, The "Hurry-up" call.You ordered a machine, snagged a great deal from the new Doosan or Haas dealer (insert OEM of choice here), or from the friendly competitor down the road… and now you realize you need the floor space for the incoming machin...

Considering a last-minute purchase for the year? Please read on -All too often a customer will receive a call from their financial officer in the final weeks of December with an urgent directive to “spend money now – or pay taxes later!” Sometimes this is for simple tax planning, sometimes specifically to take advan...

It’s true what they say, “The best laid plans of mice and men…” We plan and strategize, and research markets and target buyers for specific machines to make sure we meet their needs. The Clark Machinery Sales team loves improving our process and is passionate about making sure the right people know about the machine...