The initial cost of buying an espresso machine can be quite daunting even to the most caffeine addicted.  The average cost of an espresso machine for home is $400.  It’s higher is you want one for a café’ or catering service.  Even though you know that in the long run you’ll save money using the $400 espresso machine than go out for a $4 espresso in a store every day,  you still wonder if there isn’t an even cheaper way of getting high-quality espresso shots in your cup.

There is.  But you do have to do your homework and cross your fingers.  If you are willing to put in the research, then you should get ready to shop for used or rebuilt espresso machines.

Commercial Machines Redone

Used espresso machines aren’t the same thing as rebuilt espresso machines, although they are often lumped in the same category.  Used espresso machines have been pre-owned.  Their insides have not been tinkered with.  That’s pretty straight forward.  But rebuilt espresso machines have had their insides tinkered with.

There are specialty stores that tinker with the insides of ready made espresso machines to get them to make a better shot of espresso more consistently than a brand new espresso machine.  Often these rebuilt machines are for heavy commercial use in a bar or restaurant, but there are sometimes home use rebuilt espresso machines for sale.

You can check these stores by typing in “rebuilt espresso machines” in your favorite search engine.  You can also check out classifieds, Craigslist.com or online auction websites like eBay for rebuilt espresso machines.  Be patient.  Eventually, everything winds up on eBay.

When you have potential rebuilt espresso machines in mind, do some more research.  This will easier to do online than offline.  You can contact the espresso machine makers to see if that model is still made and if parts are still available for it.  You can also ask if there are any parts from other models in their current line that will fit in an older machine.

When buying off of eBay, any reputable seller will gladly answer any of your questions before you bid.  Be sure you know what the seller’s return policies are before you bid.  This saves a lot of hassle later on for both sides.  If you are worried about identity theft, see if you can pay by PayPal.  Never send money by Western Union or wire service to a seller, especially if they live overseas.  They can just take the money and run.

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