With the cost of living on the rise across the country, veterinary equipment is no
stranger to price increases. Many veterinarians have switched their focus and are inquiring about used equipment like never before. So, how do you know if used veterinary equipment is right for you and your clinic? Let’s talk about the differences between new and used, some of the common questions about used equipment, and some of the pros and cons of each.
What is New and Used Veterinary Equipment?
New veterinary equipment comes right from the supplier or manufacturer and is generally priced higher than used equipment. Just like purchasing anything new, new veterinary equipment comes with a manufacturer’s warranty, giving you the peace of mind that if something does go wrong, you do not have to dwell on the expenses. Purchasing new means you have the confidence that equipment is going to live a long and happy life in your clinic.
Used veterinary equipment is usually purchased from the original owner. Some veterinarians choose to sell their equipment privately, and others choose to sell it to a Dealer or Distributor for resale. Used equipment is normally much cheaper than new but may not be exactly what you are looking for. Used equipment can mean the machine is in good working condition and ready to be used in your clinic, or it could require a repair technician’s expertise before it is used.
Pros and Cons: New Veterinary Equipment
Pros
- Warranty Period: As mentioned, when purchasing new veterinary equipment, it almost always comes with some form of warranty from the manufacturer. Warranty can vary from machine to machine, but it alleviates any worries you may have about your new equipment.
- Lifespan: Purchasing new equipment will often mean investing in a longer lifespan. You can expect that equipment to work for plenty of years to come, not being worried about continuously looking for better machines to replace the ones you have. New equipment’s lifespan also depends on how well it is looked after, as veterinary equipment needs routine maintenance and inspections.
- Newest and Latest Technologies: Many people choose to buy new, solely for the fact that it is up with the times. The newest and latest technology can be super exciting, especially for our young, up-and-coming veterinarians, which is why some choose to buy only new equipment. For others, these new technologies help them be better doctors, perform new procedures and even take veterinary medicine to places it’s never been to before.
Cons
- Expensive: If you work in veterinary medicine, it is no shock as to how expensive some of the equipment can be, especially when you are buying brand new. When buying new equipment, you are paying for the newest technology, the machine with the best life span, you are even helping pay for your warranty period whether something goes wrong in that timeframe or not. Shipping costs as well as the manufacturing costs all add up, and in the end, the veterinarian purchasing the new equipment is going to feel that the hardest when buying new.
- Lead Times: In recent years, almost everyone has experienced long lead times. We all know it can take days, weeks, or even months for simple household items to arrive and veterinary equipment is no different. Right now, lead times on new equipment can be anywhere from one to ten weeks, if not longer in some cases. Some clinics simply can not wait that long or might have to turn clients away while they wait for a new machine to arrive, making it hardly worth their while as they wait.
- Depreciation: Just like purchasing a new car, veterinary equipment depreciates as soon as it has been used in your clinic. The older your equipment gets, the less value it holds. Regular maintenance and inspections will help your equipment depreciate slower.
Pros and Cons: Used Veterinary Equipment
Pros
- Cheaper: Used veterinary equipment is going to be cheaper than purchasing new equipment almost every time. Purchasing used is much more budget-friendly and can help you purchase multiple pieces for your clinic, not just one.
- Lead Times: In most cases, whether you are buying used equipment from another veterinarian or a Distributor, normally they have the equipment sitting there ready to go. You may have to wait a day or two for shipping, but you can have the machine ordered, delivered, installed, and working in your clinic within a week of purchasing. There are no crazy lead times with used equipment, which means no need to turn away your clients.
- Quality: Most used equipment is going to be a couple of years old, if not ten or more, and has most likely had a repair or two in its lifetime. When purchasing used equipment, especially from Distributors like Intriquip, we go through the entire machine before we sell it to make sure everything is in great working condition. A used machine may look old on the outside, but on the inside, it holds brand-new parts. The quality of the used machine is virtually the same as a new machine.
Cons
- Research: Before buying any piece of used equipment, you should always do your research. This can be time-consuming, but well worth it in the end. Ask plenty of questions about the machine, whether you’re buying it from another veterinarian or a Distributor. Look at different websites, speak to different salespersons and veterinarians, and find out if that piece of used equipment is right for you and your clinic.
- Lifespan: When buying used, there is never any guarantee of how long that specific piece of equipment is going to last. Knowing how old the equipment is might help you determine how many years of life it has left, but that is not always possible. To ensure you are getting a working piece of equipment, purchasing from someone you trust, or from a Distributor like us, who makes sure everything is running before it is ever in your hands.
- Selection: You are not always going to find exactly what you are looking for when purchasing used veterinary equipment. Most used equipment comes from clinics that are closing or as trade-ins on new purchases. What one person used and loved for ten years may not be the right equipment for you.
Common Questions About Used Equipment
- What is your warranty period?
Depending on where you are purchasing from, this answer could look different. Typically, if you purchase used equipment privately, you are going to have no warranty. If you are buying from a Distributor, often they will offer a warranty on used equipment but never to the full extent that you would receive on a new piece of equipment. Here at Intriquip, we are proud to offer a 90-Day Parts and Labor Warranty on all our used equipment.
- Do you sell parts for this machine?
For Intriquip, normally we do. We take pride in our service department and the work they do here. Our trained technicians are continuously learning about different brand-name equipment and figuring out how to service them the best. Our rule of thumb is that we try our very best to only sell used equipment we can service, and that includes carrying or being able to get in parts.
- Do you test your used equipment before you sell it?
Yes, we do! Normally, when a piece of used equipment comes in, one of our trained technicians will take a look at it and run a test cycle with it. Then, once they diagnose any repair work that needs to be done and complete it, they will run another test cycle before salespersons at Intriquip are even allowed to tell our customers about it.
Contact an Intriquip Salesperson Today
Whether you are purchasing new or used veterinary equipment, only you know what’s going to work for your situation and your clinic. As discussed, there are many pros and cons to each, as well as plenty of questions that come up when trying to decide if used or new veterinary equipment is right for you. Staying well-educated, doing your research, and asking plenty of questions will ensure you are finding the equipment that suits your needs. Take a look at Intriquip’s Used Equipment page to find out more or reach out to any one of our salespersons here, we would be happy to assist!