Setting up a laboratory can be a daunting task, especially when considering the costs associated with purchasing brand new equipment. However, there is a practical and cost-effective solution: buying second-hand lab equipment for a fraction of the price that it would cost new. In this guide, we’ll explore the benefits of buying second-hand lab equipment and provide valuable insights into where and how to make these purchases.
Highlights for buying lab equipment:
- Understanding the Benefits: Why buy Second-Hand Lab Equipment?
- Choices to make: Second hand, or Better New?
- Availability: Where can I Find The Best Suppliers?
- Making choices: Tips for Selecting a Suitable Instrument
- Conclusion and Outlook
Why buy Second-Hand Lab Equipment
Cost Savings: one of the most significant advantages of buying second-hand lab equipment is the cost savings. Compared to purchasing new equipment, buying used items can often save you up to 50-70% of the original price, making it an attractive option for laboratories operating on a tight budget.
Access to High-Quality Equipment: contrary to popular belief, second-hand lab equipment can still offer excellent quality and performance. Oftentimes, laboratory instruments such as centrifuges are extremely robust and have been running for years without fail. Also, many sellers offer refurbished or lightly used equipment that has been thoroughly tested and inspected to ensure it meets industry standards. This means you can access top-of-the-line equipment without breaking the bank.
Environmental Sustainability: opting for second-hand lab equipment is also a more environmentally sustainable choice. By giving used equipment a new lease on life, you’re helping to reduce waste and minimise the environmental impact associated with manufacturing new items.
Second-Hand, or Better New?
Obviously it is not all sunshine and rainbows when purchasing used lab equipment. Although for many purposes it can be a great solution, sometimes you’re simply better off new.
Condition: it can be hard to reveal what exactly happened to the equipment before you encountered it. What was it used for, and is there some hidden damage? For this reason it is always advisable to buy from a reputable source or have the knowledge in-house to judge the state of the instruments.
Warranty and maintenance: how bad is it when your freshly acquired instruments breaks down? Are there still spare parts available in-stock to replace what’s broken. Is the machine still supported by the supplier, and are there engineers at the ready to come in and help you fix your problem. If you’re running a commercial testing lab that needs be online 24/7 the answer may very well be no. Or it may be a yes, but only in cases where a seller can guarantee a high level of service and availability.
Safety: often overlooked, but important nonetheless. Some used equipment may not meet the most recent safety regulations, which could pose risks to researchers working in your lab and the lab itself.
Software: complex instruments often also feature advanced software packages to run the instrument and perform post-measurement analysis. Therefore, it is advisable to check if the software runs on a modern operating system that is still supported, or at least be prepared to have an outdated computer system at hand to be managed separately before you embark on your adventure.
Certifications: commercial and medical laboratories often require certifications on their equipment to guarantee certain standards and a mandated level of precision. Older instruments may not always be comply with newer requirements. In many settings, it is important to regularly re-calibrate equipment and obtain test certificates. This may require knowledge and skill that is not always available for older models.
State-of-the-art: new instruments may contain powerful features and techniques that may simply not be available yet on second-hand models. To stay at the forefront of research, it therefore is not always an option to use older models as you’d be missing out on some options that may be vital to extract the data you need to answer your research question.
It is essential to weigh these issues against the advantages and potential cost savings and carefully consider whether it’s the right choice for your needs. To do this, it is also important to explore different options and suppliers, and compare new and old equipment. Until now, this involved tedious research, calls and emails.
Where can I Find The Best Suppliers?
The market for laboratory equipment is highly fragmented. Searching for a piece of equipment often starts with a simple search query. However, it is virtually impossible to compare the many smaller manufacturers and suppliers, and requesting extra information either involves asking quotes, phone calls or dedicated research into each of those options. It’s a nightmare for busy people. And although we have found that scientists and lab managers often have a very good idea what they need, the number of suppliers, brands and models to choose from can be enormous. This is particularly true for instruments in the price range between € 500 and € 20,000 where the options are myriad and it can be laborious to make an informed choice.
There are several platforms where you can find second-hand lab equipment. Online marketplaces the of eBay, LabX and many others offer a range of options, from basic laboratory essentials to specialised instrumentation. These platforms allow you to browse listings from sellers around the world, giving you access to a vast selection of equipment at competitive prices. However, they are also limited in a sense that they do not provide background information to compare various options. Also, they are either not specific to lab equipment, or only offer new or used equipment, but rarely both. Which is actually an important motivation for us to start questpair.com
Surplus Sales: many universities and companies periodically hold surplus sales where they auction off or sell used lab equipment that is no longer needed. The same happens with bankrupties, where excess inventory is sold off to the highest bidder. Such auctions are often open to the public at auction sites such as Troostwijk or eBay and can be an excellent opportunity to find high-quality equipment at discounted prices. However, although bidding can be exciting it is time-intensive and often prices are not all that different from buying it second-hand from the source or a platform.
Specialised Resellers: several companies specialise in buying, refurbishing, and reselling second-hand lab equipment. These resellers often have extensive networks and expertise in sourcing quality equipment and cleaning and repairing it, thus ensuring that you get reliable products at affordable prices. Additionally, many of these companies offer warranties or service agreements to provide added peace of mind. In Europe, there are many different suppliers such as Labmakelaar, Biomatyx, and Profcontrol to name a few who have a reputation as a trusted seller and whose equipment is also visible on our website.
Tips for Selecting
Investigate the possibilities: this one is pretty obvious. Before making any purchases, take the time to research the specific equipment you need. Understand its capabilities, specifications, and typical market value to ensure you’re getting a fair deal. Reading reviews and seeking recommendations from colleagues can also help you make informed decisions. Shortly, you will also be able to use our new AI tool to get new ideas and find possible matches for useful equipment.
Inspect the Equipment: whenever possible, inspect the equipment in person or request detailed photos from the seller. Look for signs of wear and tear, damage, or missing components that could affect its performance. If you’re unable to inspect the equipment yourself, ask the seller for assurances regarding its condition and functionality.
Ask About Warranty and Return Policies: when buying second-hand lab equipment, it’s essential to inquire about any warranties or return policies offered by the seller. While many reputable sellers provide guarantees on refurbished or tested equipment, it’s essential to understand your rights in case the equipment doesn’t meet your expectations or fails to function correctly.
Consider Maintenance and Service Costs: whilst buying second-hand lab equipment can offer significant upfront savings, it’s essential to factor in ongoing maintenance and service costs. Older or more complex equipment may require regular servicing or repairs, which can add to the total cost of ownership over time. Be sure to budget accordingly and explore options for extended warranties or service contracts.
Conclusion and Outlook
Second-hand lab equipment can be a practical and cost-effective alternative to new equipment for laboratories of all sizes. However, the fragmented market means that is is difficult to find and compare viable options from different suppliers.
Armed with the right information, it is possible to perform thorough research, inspect the equipment carefully, and consider factors such as warranties and ongoing maintenance costs before making any purchases. With careful planning and attention to detail, buying second-hand lab equipment can help you outfit your laboratory with the tools you need to succeed while staying within budget.
QuestPair is involved in mapping as much as possible of all the equipment that is used in laboratories around the world. We inventorise what each instrument is used for, and where it is sold. This information can be used to provide buyers with options to make an informed choice. We aim to haveall the relevant information in one place, for both used and new equipment. We are also working on an experimental tool to find suitable equipment that we know is for sale at the moment. In a later blog we’ll follow up on this exciting development!
