Choosing to buy used medical equipment instead of new equipment can be a good decision, especially for doctors looking to start up a brand new practice. Buying used equipment can save you a lot of money, and if you do some shopping around you can find enough good deals on reliable medical devices that you shouldn’t have to sacrifice on quality at all. Here are a few important things to know about used medical equipment if you’re thinking of opting for this option.
The Savings
You can save a lot of money by purchasing used medical equipment, as much as 50% of what you would have to pay for brand new equipment. The exact numbers depend on the company you buy from and on the condition of the device you’re purchasing, and also on whether or not it comes with a warranty. But just to provide an example, a defibrillator that would sell for $ 18,000 new can be found used for only $ 7,000.
Buy Refurbished Equipment
If you buy used equipment, make sure that it’s refurbished. Refurbished devices are cleaned, tested, and restored by highly trained biomedical technicians before they (the devices) are put back on the market. Refurbished items also tend to come with better warranties than items simply sold as is.
The Disadvantages
The biggest disadvantage of buying used medical equipment is that it won’t be as easy to find good quality equipment when you’re shopping uses as it is when you’re shopping new. When you’re buying new equipment, you’re paying for the guarantee that it’s never been used and that it will work as advertised for a certain number of years. And if it doesn’t, you get it repaired or replaced for free. This usually does not come with used medical equipment. You can find refurbished equipment with good warranty policies, but you have to do some more shopping around. The return policies on used equipment, also, will not be as liberal. Also, new equipment tends to come with free users training and installation, two things that you’ll rarely find when purchasing used, or even refurbished medical devices.
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