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Buying used electronic test equipment... What's the difference between used, refurbished, remarketed and rebuilt?
According to the research firm Frost & Sullivan, the estimated
size of the North American used test and measurement
equipment market was $446.4 million in 2004 and is estimated
to grow to $654.5 million by 2011. For over 50 years, companies
and governments have procured used test and measurement
instruments in order to realize a number of benefits including
the need to:
* reduce equipment acquisition costs,
* replace discontinued testing instruments,
* circumvent lengthy new product delivery times, and
* conform to legacy standards and specifications.
Although there are many considerations when purchasing used test
and measurement instruments, the quality of the instrument and
reliability of the vendor should be at the top of the list. Used
test equipment vendors deploy a number of bywords that represent
the equipment they sell, including "refurbished", "remarketed",
"reconditioned", "rebuilt" and, the obvious, "used". These
marketing adjectives typically imply various quality processes
and buyers of used test equipment should execute their due
diligence prior to purchasing.
"Used" or "Remarketed" equipment often describes products sold
with an "as-is" supposition. You might purchase used equipment
from an end-user organization or auction company that is selling
surplus assets. Products sold as "used" should be priced at the
lower scale of the market spectrum and it is not uncommon for
quality issues to arise with "used" equipment. It is likely that
the instruments have not been tested and have an uncertain
history. It is only prudent to purchase "Used" equipment if you
have the in-house repair and calibration facilities/expertise
and are able to procure the item at a cost low enough that the
added expense of repair and calibration remains to be a
positive, economical outcome.
"Refurbished and Reconditioned" are akin and are the most
common presentment of used equipment from equipment dealers.
Refurbished equipment is fully tested and calibrated to NIST
standards to assure that they meet the original manufacturers'
specifications. Refurbished equipment should come with all
standard accessories and operating manuals. Malfunctioning
internal
components will have been replaced or repaired and the
product will have been cosmetically cared for including painting
and the replacing of face plates, button and knobs. Refurbished
equipment is typically sold with a 30-90 day parts/labor
warranty and is priced in the middle to high-end of the market
spectrum.
Finally, some vendors advertised "Rebuilt" test equipment. Many
instrument options are field-installable and can be
built-to-order according to the customer's requirements. Some
products can even be converted from one generation or version to
the next by adding various components. There is absolutely
nothing wrong with purchasing rebuilt equipment and, in fact, if
you can not find the exact product configuration you are
sourcing, you should ask qualified vendors about the possibility
adding those options. As with used and refurbished equipment,
always exercise caution in choosing a vendor. Assure that the
vendor is qualified or uses a qualified electronics laboratory
to repair, calibrate and rebuild the products you seek.
Purchasing used, refurbished or rebuilt electronic test
equipment is a great way for organizations to save 30-70% on
their asset acquisition costs. Warranties and guarantees from
used test equipment vendors are formidable. In select product
groups, the original equipment manufacturers offer extended
warranties in partnership with the vendors that are the selling
those products.
Exercise caution and perform due diligence on your vendors. It
is most effective to first identify a qualified used equipment
vendor and begin a supplier relationship, as opposed to sourcing
each instrument you need individually. If your qualified vendor
does not have what you are looking for in inventory, it is
likely that they will be able to locate it within 24 hours. By
first identifying and working with a select few vendors, you
will assure consistent quality and economical pricing with every
used test equipment purchase.
About the author:
Robert Preville is the President and CEO of Global Test Supply,
LLC, a distributor of new and refurbished test and measurement
equipment from manufacturers such as HP, Agilent, Tektronix, BK
Precision, Instek, Promax and Rohde & Schwarz.
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