Did you know that there are over 130,000 medical sales representatives in the United States? These professionals make the big bucks by selling expensive equipment that hospitals and clinics need.
Although hospitals can usually afford the newest items, smaller clinics might not have the budget for them. If this is the case for you, consider buying refurbished medical equipment when you can.
Keep reading to learn how to choose between new or refurbished medical equipment.
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What Is Refurbished Equipment?
You know what new medical equipment is, but what does the definition of refurbished equipment mean? Typically, understanding the meaning depends on where you are buying equipment from.
For some, it means equipment that has been disassembled, inspected, and replaced with new parts. In this case, the finished equipment is almost as good as new.
The definition could also apply to repaired equipment made up to look like new. This is basically the same thing you would get if you bought used equipment.
What to Look For
Refurbished medical equipment is a financially better option than buying new with a small budget. It’s a much better investment than buying equipment that is reconditioned or repaired.
You can verify that a refurbished medical equipment seller is legitimate by looking into these factors:
- Model number
- Documentation
- Original replacement parts
- Manuals
- Training
- Warranty
A vendor should be certified to refurbish equipment. They should also have insurance and equipment supplied with a warranty.
New vs. Refurbished: Does It Matter?
When determining whether to buy refurbished or new medical equipment, there’s more to consider than the price. Choosing your type of medical equipment makes a difference.
If you need a high-tech vital piece of equipment, you don’t want something that could fail and put a patient’s life in jeopardy.
For example, if you are looking into ventilators for sale, it’s best to buy new. You can purchase refurbished low-tech, non-vital equipment.
It also matters whether you buy new or refurbished when you need the equipment to have a longer expected use life. The longer you expect to use a machine, the better it will be to buy new.
Is New Equipment Better?
There are a lot of industries where you can get away with buying refurbished equipment. In the medical industry, new equipment is typically better.
You don’t have to worry about faulty equipment and new equipment can last up to 10 years. This means that if you take care of your medical pieces properly, you’ll save money with long-lasting equipment.
Refurbished equipment, although like new, is not as beneficial as buying new.
Plus, you don’t have to worry about finding a reputable company that refurbishes equipment tested and approved by the FDA.
Buying Medical Equipment: Make the Right Choice
When buying medical equipment, you’ll have the option of buying new or refurbished. Although refurbished equipment can save you money, it’s not always the best option.
For certain medical equipment, you’ll want to buy new every time. Equipment that is non-vital and low-tech can be bought refurbished at a discounted price.
For more informative articles like this, check out the other posts on our website.