My wife and I are starting a new business and we plan to focus our
efforts on cookies. This is our first business, and we've found a lot
of information about recipes, techniques, supplies, locations,
marketing, licensing, etc.

The area that remains the biggest mystery to us is equipment:
- Oven - electric convection
- cook top - also electric, due to ventilation limitations
- refrigerator/freezer
- commercial dish washer - How do I find one large enough for big
cookie sheets (or are these usually cleaned by hand?)
- coffee maker/espresso machine

In order to minimize our startup costs, I'd like to consider used
equipment. Is this recommended or is it a bad idea. I've heard there
are auctions for this sort of stuff. How do I find them? I didn't
see anything in the newspaper. We're in the New York City area. Can
I trust the quality/condition?

Should I also consider renting equipment? Like the coffee/espresso
machine, in particular?

I'm also wondering what the good brands are? Are there any particular
features I should look for? Are there any resources that review or
compare/contrast this equipment? Like a consumer reports for
commercial grade equipment?

Any information on any of these topics would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Marc & Jennifer