Get The Best Equipment You Can Afford

"So, when can I start buying equipment?" I asked Chris over the phone.  I had been surfing around online to try & get an estimate of what all of that was going to cost.

"Whenever you want to," he assured me, "Just make sure, & I can't stress this enough, make sure you get the same equipment that is listed on the approved health plans.  Same exact make & model numbers on everything.  They're real sticklers on that."

I read in a good book about starting your own restaurant, that my friend, Tony, gave me: "Buy the best equipment that you can afford."

With that in mind, I went on a few drives downtown & to south bay to check out & see what some used equipment was going for.  But, it was actually a guy named Phil, who came to pick up the old leftover shelves from $2 Thrill that we listed for free after there were no initial takers, that had a some slightly used equipment.

"I could probably help you out," he said.  "You ever been to Joltin' Joes?"

"I think so.  Is that down by the ballpark?" I asked.

"Yep, but I run the one in La Mesa.  I gotta a bunch of extra equipment just sitting out at my place in Lakeside though," he said & gave me his number.

I followed up with him a couple weeks later & drove out there after I went on a hike at Lake Jennings.  He showed me to an old shed with a bunch of bar equipment.  Reach-ins, sinks, freezers & a few stainless steel tables.  I had a written list with me with all of the make & model numbers & dimensions of everything we needed to get for the shop.

After scouring through a lot of crap, I did come away with the perfect sized hand washing sink (one of three that we had to have).  And, a nice fold up dolly & one extra-large chrome beach cruiser.

"Would you take $250 for all three?" I asked.  

"Sure."

It was a good deal.  I didn't have a smart phone at the time, but I knew the sink was in good condition & would cost me at least $150 brand new.  The beach cruiser was in great condition & I knew that I could shine it up & sell it on Craigslist for close to $200.  And as far as the dolly, whatever.  I needed one for the markets anyway.

The next Monday I went hiking up in Mount Laguna & I found a free oak desk on Craigslist in somebody's driveway in El Cajon, with, "Must be able to pickup," in the description.  I slid it right into the back of the Escape's hatchback & then continued on out to the trailhead.

I picked up a Kenwood stereo for $20 in OB that Saturday afternoon at a yard sale on Froude Street.  Later, I snagged a filing cabinet at another yard sale on Saratoga Ave for $5.

We still have & use most of that stuff.  Except, the dolly, which lasted for about five years before the metal shaft snapped in half & that beach cruiser which I rode for about 6 months before I sold it to a taller lady & her husband who lived in Mission Beach for $185.