BENEFITS PURCHASING REFURBISHED USED LAB EQUIPMENT
There are times when buying used items is advantageous and times when it isn’t. For instance, while many of us live in homes built by others, most of us hesitate to wear someone else’s used socks. However, when it comes to general-purpose lab equipment, purchasing used and refurbished machines is often a cost-effective and practical option for outfitting your lab. This approach allows you to save money while still obtaining reliable equipment for your needs.
Saving Money
For the vast majority of customers, purchasing refurbished and used lab equipment is a primary consideration, and for good reason. Our equipment typically costs between 30% and 60% of the list price of new items. Additionally, we offer discounted package pricing for bulk purchases. For example, a typical cell culture lab setup, including a refurbished bio safety cabinet, CO2 incubators, refrigerated centrifuges, and other equipment, can save you over 70% off the list price of new items. That equates to tens of thousands of dollars.
Whether you’re on a tight budget or have more flexibility, those savings are important. The money you save on equipment can be redirected toward personnel, marketing, or other productive uses.
Even after the initial startup phase, significant savings can still be achieved. For instance, a general-purpose five-cubic foot incubator typically costs about $3,600 from VWR, Thermo, or other manufacturers. In contrast, we can provide comparable models for around $1,400. When you add this up over a year or two, your equipment budget can start to look much more reasonable.
Shorter Lead Time
Take bio safety cabinets, for example. As of now, The Baker Company quotes six to eight-month lead times for some models. There is certainly a good reason for this delay: Baker manufactures high quality products that are almost constantly in demand. However, waiting nearly a year for a new BSC isn’t feasible for many labs.
The good news is that American Instrument Exchange can ship bio safety cabinets with new HEPA filters installed within two to three weeks of placing an order. The same quick turnaround applies to our refurbished chemical fume hoods, clean benches, centrifuges, incubators, ovens, freeze dryers, rotary evaporators, and microscopes.
Environmental Impact of Purchasing Refurbished and Used Lab Equipment
Reuse, Reduce, Recycle—right? Purchasing refurbished and used lab equipment aligns perfectly with all three principles. First, it allows for reusing equipment that has been decontaminated, cleaned, and repaired. Second, it reduces the need to extract resources, which saves both raw materials and energy used to manufacture new machines. Finally, it recycles equipment that is fully tested and in good working order, allowing for continued productive use in your lab. It’s a win, win, and win.
Additionally, many manufacturers have focused on improving their green credentials in recent years. As a result, we now see better insulation, more efficient compressors, and CFC/HCFC-free refrigerants in laboratory refrigerators, freezers, and ultra-low freezers. Furthermore, there are more efficient motors in bio safety cabinets and various environmentally friendly construction details across all categories of general lab equipment.
Personalized, Knowledgeable Service
When you call American Instrument Exchange, a real person answers your questions promptly. You can ask for our sales staff by name, avoiding the hassle of dialing an eleven-digit extension or navigating a long series of automated prompts.
While many lab equipment manufacturers provide excellent customer service, others are too large and bureaucratic for personalized support. This observation is not a criticism; it’s simply a reality.
At American Instrument Exchange, if you encounter an issue with your order—whether it’s a technical problem, a delivery snag, a billing question, or just a friendly hello—you’ll speak with someone who remembers your order and can assist you.
However, it’s important to note that purchasing refurbished and used lab equipment isn’t always the best choice. For instance, used equipment without a warranty can waste your time and money, especially if you need to pay for disposal when it fails. Additionally, if you’re unfamiliar with operating a particular piece of equipment, buying new or directly from a manufacturer may be wiser. Nevertheless, when all other factors are equal, buying used lab equipment is a great way to save money and reduce your environmental impact while receiving professional, personalized service.
So, call or email us today with any questions about our current inventory of used and refurbished lab equipment.
Our History
American Instrument Exchange has been a reliable source for purchasing refurbished and used lab equipment for over 50 years, buying and selling equipment since 1969. Our surplus lab equipment is reconditioned for many types of laboratories, including biotech, biomedical, medical research, chemical, pharmaceutical, and university and hospital research laboratories. All lab equipment listed on our website is in stock and ships from our 30,000 square foot warehouse in Massachusetts. Our facilities include a fully equipped shop with highly trained technicians who thoroughly test each instrument before it reaches your laboratory.