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