6 Benefits of Purchasing Refurbished Lab Equipment

While many scientists and lab managers may be skeptical about the refurbished lab market, we should not underestimate the savings and quality of refurbished equipment, especially for startups and budget-conscious companies.  When it comes to lab equipment, buying refurbished lab equipment is cost-effective and a practical option.

What Does Refurbished Lab Equipment Mean?

Terms applied to equipment that is not standard retail vary, and different companies use the same term in different ways.  However, refurbished lab equipment refers to equipment that has been serviced by a qualified technician and has had all parts checked and replaced if necessary.

Cost-Effectiveness

The risk of purchase is extremely minimal.  While also providing an obvious cost-effective solution for growing labs, both large and small.  Savings from outfitting a lab with refurbished equipment are monumental.  With prices often 35 to 70% lower than those of competing new equipment.  How is this possible?  In many cases, resellers purchase extra or no longer essential equipment directly from industry labs, buy out closing labs’ inventory when the intellectual property has been sold, or purchase from auctions. 

The equipment is carefully refurbished, tested, and calibrated to perform at factory specifications by skilled certified technicians. The money that you save on equipment can go toward personnel, marketing, or any number of other productive and effective uses.

More Buying Options

When looking into refurbished lab equipment, you will find that you have a wider array of buying options compared to those available in the new equipment market.  This is because the secondary market includes both current and discontinued models.

Top-Quality Branded Equipment

When you are purchasing refurbished lab equipment, it is easier to get top-of-the-line brands and equipment at a better purchase price.  Carefully assess your laboratory needs, how much usage it will get, and what the best equipment is for your lab.  Do you need a backup for critical instrumentation?  When getting refurbished lab equipment, the savings could go to purchasing a second machine.

Turn Around Time

Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) have tight schedules when it comes to supplying new laboratory instruments.  Leading OEMs, in an effort to keep inventories low, can take three or more months to deliver a piece of equipment.  Whereas most refurbished equipment can deliver immediately.  The quick availability of refurbished lab equipment is ideal for anyone who has an urgent need for a unit to keep the laboratory running.

Environmental Impact

Reuse, Reduce, Recycle.  Buying refurbished lab equipment encompasses all three of these.  You’re reusing equipment that has been decontaminated, cleaned, and repaired.  You’re reducing the need for extracting resources that contribute to the raw materials as well as the energy inputs used to build the machines.  Finally, you’re recycling equipment that has gone through testing and in good working order for continued productive use in your lab.

In recent years, many manufacturers have begun to focus on improving their green credentials.  As a result, we are seeing better insulation, more efficient compressors, and CFC/HCFC free refrigerants in laboratory refrigerators, freezers, and ultralow freezers, more efficient motors in biosafety cabinets, and a variety of other environmentally friendly construction details in all categories of lab equipment.

Sourcing Refurbished Lab Equipment from a Trusted Supplier

A critical factor is deciding where to buy refurbished lab equipment.  You want to research to select the correct supplier or distributor.  Do your due diligence when researching.  Look for a company that doesn’t have a long turnaround time and one that has post-sales support.  Trusted suppliers have been serving scientific and medical laboratories for years. They also have in-house repair technicians who have undergone factory training to service and replace equipment parts and offer options for equipment warranties.

A Leader in the Life Science Industry

Tritech is the East Coast’s leading life science lab equipment resource.  Our goal is to help life science researchers meet their goals each and every day.  We offer new and refurbished to help you find the best product within your budget.  In addition, we are able to help you with your lab equipment maintenance in the future.  If you need help with lab equipment, our experienced technicians can assist you.