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Oxford Labs
2 Royal College Street
London, NW1 0NH
United Kingdom
- workTel +44 (0) 207 691 2159
Buying Guide
Buying used lab equipment on Oxford Labs is a quick, simple and cost effective way of sourcing used lab equipment. In this short Buying Guide, we offer some practical tips for buying the best used lab equipment with a minimum of hassle.
1. Identify your "must-haves"
Perhaps the most important thing to bear in mind when buying used lab equipment is to be clear on what functionality you need. The Oxford Labs website has a wide choice of used lab equipment with a variety of specifications, so to get the most out of our website, it's key that buyers know what they are looking for.
Think carefully about what you will be using the lab equipment for - both at the outset as well as in the medium and longer term. For example, if the lab equipment is required for a particular project, what capability will the equipment need for that project? Would it be useful for the lab equipment to have additional functionality so that it can be used for other tasks once that project has been completed? Also make sure you speak to others in your organisation to ensure you all agree on what you expect from the particular item of used lab equipment that you are looking to buy.
Top Tip: When viewing individual items, look out for the specification summary, which sets out detailed information such as product model, manufacturer and condition. If you can't find exactly what you're looking for, then place a Wanted Ad to notify prospective sellers of your needs.
2. Decide on your budget
Once you know what you're looking for, you need to work out how much you have to spend. Buying an item of used lab equipment can offer significant savings as compared to buying new (generally in the region of 50 to 80 per cent), but the used lab equipment market still covers a wide range of asking prices - depending on, for example, the age and condition of the item.
Spend some time browsing the Oxford Labs listing pages to familiarise yourself with approximate asking prices for the type of used lab equipment you are interested in, then set yourself a lower and an upper limit on what you are willing to pay. If prices are too high for your budget, why not consider buying an older or refurbished model from one of our partner dealers?
Top Tip: Don't forget to factor in ongoing maintenance and servicing costs when setting your budget.
3. Get in touch with the Seller
Once you've found an item of used lab equipment which ticks the right boxes in terms of functionality and budget, you should get in touch with the Seller for further information using the Contact Seller form on the listing page. The enquiry will be sent straight to the Seller who will then get in touch to discuss the particular item of used lab equipment with you.
As the current owner of the lab equipment, the Seller will be best placed to answer any questions you may have, for example, in relation to history of the item. For instance, the Seller may be able to provide a useful insight into how the lab equipment performs a specific task and the servicing history of the item. The key is to make sure you ask thorough and specific questions of a prospective Seller in order to form as complete a picture of the used lab equipment as possible.
Top Tip: If practical, arrange a time to visit the Seller's premises to view and inspect the item before buying.
4. Don't be afraid to make an offer
As with any second-hand market, it's usual for buyers of used lab equipment to make an offer on the equipment they would like to buy - so be prepared to negotiate with the Seller on price. If you've done your research then you'll know roughly what a particular item of used lab equipment is worth, so make sure you bear this in mind when negotiating with the Seller.
Use your judgment when making an offer - most Sellers will be open to offers but be realistic. If you can't reach agreement on a particular item, then remember there's plenty of other used lab equipment on the Oxford Labs website.
Top Tip: Consider if there are any non-monetary incentives you can offer to the Seller - for example, collecting the used lab equipment from the Seller's premises to save on shipping costs.
5. Pay attention to the finer details
Once you've reached a deal with a Seller for a piece of used lab equipment, make sure you don't forget to ask about the ancillary details such as the operating manual and servicing log book. In most cases, the Seller should be able to provide these as a matter of course - but it's best to confirm to be clear.
Top Tip: Make sure you check the item of used lab equipment and associated paperwork promptly after delivery. If there's a problem then it's best to raise this with the Seller as soon as possible.