My experience is very similar to David Kumms, the first C3 31 i owned i had the opportunity to see it in operation as i knew the owner well before i became the owner of it. Then keeping an eye on the market for 5 years or so i was still reading about similar machines to understand if id ever get back to owning a Hammer and felder so i knew enough theory about what other machines were offering and experience as to what i was after in a future machine.?
When i saw one online? forsale and i was in a position to consider it,? i had many discussions with the owner and knew enough to ask specific questions of its features and condition without seeing it to put down a significant deposit.? To then wait a while until its home was available i collected it verifying everything that was discussed and handed over final payment.
So whilst i bought it i guess i didn't hand over full payment without inspecting the machine or knowing enough to gauge the existing owners knowledge of the machine vs someone just trying to sell a machine to make some quick cash etc.? They're pretty hard to do that with given logistical challenges involved :)
Anyway hope that helps
Nathan
Nathan D'Elboux