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