Used and Refurbished IT Equipment Tips

Meeting your infrastructure requirements is a little tough these days with budget constraints and looming uncertainties about financial and infrastructure needs forecast. If you absolutely have to get equipment and price is a big factor then the used or refurbished market is a place to look.

Meeting your infrastructure requirements is a little tough these days with budget constraints and looming uncertainties about financial and infrastructure needs forecast. If you absolutely have to get equipment and price is a big factor then the used or refurbished market is a place to look. There
is a difference between the two though, but there is a cost advantage in both. Used equipment requires close inspection and and a relationship with your used supplier but can be cheaper than refurbished equipment. Or is it really?


Let's first mention (as you know) used equipment is "used equipment" whose state can range from "as-is" to completely upgraded and
can come with a manufacturer extended warranty. You need to do a little investigative work and cultivate a relationship with your used-equipment
supplier so that you can follow up. The refurbished equipment does not necessarily
mean used at all; it could be a unit that was returned, box opened customer changed mind, was returned DOA and now repaired, died in infancy or had a short life or was traded-in as used and then brought to "like-new" state by the manufacturer. Key words here are "by the manufacturer"; usually there is a no-returns policy except for replacement in the event
of DOA before product warranty expires. In most cases the manufacturer will also offer extended warranty coverage by contract.


You have good reason to be a little skeptical of used equipment but if you do
your homework you can get a good deal. That is, what state is the equipment really in? How much does it cost in that state? How much will it cost to get it to the revision or state (or can you, even) want it to be in? Naturally refurbished equipment will cost more but it is backed by and certified by the manufacturer and you can watch your kids do their homework instead.


   
Where to find either: used equipment can be found by searching with keywords like
used or refurbished equipment or B2B classifieds or liquidation. Of course sites like Yahoo and eBay thrive on the used and refurbished market (be aware of listings touting a low minimum bid but carry a hidden "Reserve Price") and by all means, do keep in mind what refurbished means and
what used means ; they are not the same thing!


*CPCNET MarketPlace sells refurbished
equipment by major networking and infrastructure manufacturers but does not sell used equipment. However we know of reputable used dealers and liquidations goings on and notify our users of such via member notices and "Buying / Selling"
classifieds on our web site
http://www.cpcnetworking.com