Something goes wrong with a piece of equipment in your restaurant, and you’re going to have a problem if it isn’t fixed soon. No worries, you call your maintenance and repair provider and schedule the repair. If you’re on a tight budget, you might think about buying generic or manufacturer parts to bring the cost down. Well, here are some things you should take into consideration before you make a decision.
What is a manufacturer part?
Manufacturer parts often referred to as OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) are parts that are produced by, you guessed it, the original manufacturer.
These parts are exactly the same as the parts that came with your equipment off of the assembly line. They meet the specifications required by the manufacturer for any guarantee or warranty. They will usually have the same branding on the part as your original piece of equipment.
What is a generic Part?
Original Component Manufacturer Parts or OCM are very similar OEM parts. They are made in the same factory, and with the same standards as OEM parts. They are basically the same parts but without the branding and marketing, which lowers the price.
There are also aftermarket parts. These are parts that are made in a different factory, without the exact specifications from the manufacturer. They will most likely have the lowest cost but also come with a lot of risk as there is no guarantee to perform as intended.
So what part should I choose?
When choosing parts always consider warranties, guarantees, and price.
If your equipment is still under warranty, it will probably require an OEM part to stay valid. So choosing OEM is the best option.
If your equipment is no longer under warranty, and you want the peace of mind knowing you have a quality part, but want to save some money, you will likely want to choose an OCM part.
If you simply cannot afford the other parts, you can buy an aftermarket part. Just remember that there are no guarantees and you may be risking further damage on your equipment by using an inferior part.
Hopefully we have given some insight that helps with your decision on whether to buy a generic vs manufacturer part to use with a repair. Touchstone Commercial Services is dedicated to being helpful and providing quality service in a timely, affordable manner. If you have any maintenance and repair needs or questions feel free to contact us.
