If you can afford it invest in a good new machine, especially if you are not capable of repairing the thing in the first place. Your appearance and the way you go about things will dictate the type of customer and market you get.
I started off with second hand equipment and if I had spent the time that I wasted repairing equipment, on productive things like marketing and promoting my business I would have been a lot better off.
A lot of people on this forum moan about not getting this type of work or that type of work, in truth if people do not think you are up to the job they will not ask you to do it.
Invest in your business and look as proffessional as you can afford to look this will give people the confidence to trust you to look after their pride and joys.
One of the best investments that you will ever make is choosing the right training.
good luck
Peter
www.carpetcleanercardiff.com