Where is the best source to find good used refrigeration equipment such as walk-in or reach-in coolers int he BCS/central Texas area? Houston, Dallas, Austin are all fair game.

Backstory: I have been appointed to the board of directors for a new local food pantry. We need to find a commercial/large reach-in cooler so that we can provide foodstuffs that require refrigeration (eggs, dairy, produce, etc.). Ideally we're talking a double door ~45cf refrigerator.

Outdoors related because food is grown outdoors, and outdoors board people know stuff.

Examples:

These guys are in Houston

Have you done business with them before?

Quote:

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Ice & Refrigeration Systems

2557 E. Loop 820 N.
Fort Worth
TX
76118
817-888-3056

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While you can buy new from places, a cheaper option for a non-profit may be restaurant equipment auctions when they are closing. I've seen some equipment for over 50% off.

http://www.mainauctionservices.com/home/about-us
http://www.txresto.com

This is definitely something I've considered, however I'm a little leery of going the auction route because I really don't want to end up with a problem/lemon. If I buy used, I'd really like to buy from a brick & mortar reseller so I could at least have some leverage if whatever we buy ends up being a dud.

My local restaurant supply store has used units they have inspected, might be a good middle ground between new and an auctuoned one.

That's fair.

The second one is a resto/reseller. And most local supply places will have some stuff that they inspected, restored, or was leased equipment they are reselling.

Also worth noting that commercial grade stuff isn't usually irreparable like the residential grade stuff is. When the fridge at the house goes out, you throw it out and go buy a new one; but when commercial grade reefers/freezers go out, you call the refrigeration tech out and he fixes it. Anyhow, if you get a dud through an auction or otherwise, it probably wouldn't be a total loss, just may cost a little more in the long run than you'd hoped.

Ace Mart
South Texas Equipment Distributors

You could probably try Craigslist, but then you'd be dealing with Craigslist.

If you haven't already, open an account with Restaurant Depot. They also have equipment. Push the non-profit edge and see what they might be able to do for you.

The places above are mostly new gear, but should be able to point you to used sources. Sucks, but restaurants close down all the time, and they often have to dump their equipment on the cheap.

Restaurant Supply Depot is another option. Requires a tax id, but no sales tax.

I kinda got addicted to mainauctionservices.com for a while. Although I usually just buy SS tables, etc, I have bought a few freezers. I've never had any issues with what I've "won." If you're leery, you can go to their warehouse and look at the items before you bid on them. That would require you to live relatively nearby. Most auctions are up in the Dallas area. They do have them frequently in Houston.