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Choosing an air compressor dealer

For business air compressor purchases, choosing the right dealer is an important part of the buying decision. Air compressors can take quite a bit of abuse and are subjected to a lot of strains and wear and tear, so finding a dealer who'll stand behind your purchase is key.

Most air compressor dealers focus on one brand, so they really get to know the ins and outs of servicing that manufacturer's compressors. You'll want to talk to at least 3 or 4 different dealers so you can get to know the strengths of each brand.

Here are some questions you can ask as you're interviewing potential dealers:

• How long have you been in business?
• What percentage of your business is air compressors?
• How long have you sold this brand of air compressors?
• Will you do on-site repairs if I need them?
• How many repair technicians do you have on staff?
• What other businesses like mine have you sold compressors to?

When you are ready to start having these conversations, Air Compressors Resource can help. While we don't sell any compressors or even recommend particular brands, we do have a free service that can help you find the leading dealers in your area. Just fill out one simple form and we'll connect you to up to 6 air compressor dealers.

Air compressor maintenance is essential

Before you make a decision, talk to dealers of several leading brands about their reliability. Ask what kinds of problems they typically have when they do break down, how much regular maintenance they require, and what the expected lifespan is.

Also make sure you find out what types of work are covered and what you'll be paying for. In most cases you'll get a standard warranty for the first year or more, but that only covers mechanical failures, not wear and tear or other problems. Unless you have qualified maintenance technicians on your staff, it's probably worth investing in a maintenance contract to cover any unforeseen problems.

Most of the time, you can also get preventative maintenance scheduled: oil and filter changes, inspections, and the like. Again, it's an extra cost, but given the importance the compressor can have in your day to day operations, it's worth making sure that it's running at its most efficient.

When the dealer doesn't matter

Hobbyists or amateur woodworkers buying an air compressor for home use can generally get away with buying the cheapest compressor that meets their needs: if you're only spending a few hundred dollars, you shouldn't expect long-term reliability. If a big-box chain store has a sale on the model you want, go for it. Just don't expect much beyond basic warranty service.