Buying Guide For Used Ophthalmic Equipment

By Teri Farley


If you're starting a new ophthalmic practice, a factor to consider as you commence with your start-up business is whether to purchase new or used ophthalmic equipment. The choice you finally make will be determined by several factors. These include how much capital you have to spend, the cost of new versus second-hand tools, and whether the appliances you require are available on the local market.

If your budget is limited, the obvious choice is to buy old appliances rather than contemporary ones. The decision to buy second-hand items will reduce the financial pressure on your eye care practice, leaving you spare change to invest in other areas of the business. Other requirements entail decor, medical consumables and the cost of employing staff. Spending all your initial capital on state of the art equipage could leave you short of available cash to invest in these important considerations, which although secondary to equipage, nonetheless add essential value to the ongoing operational success of your practice.

Clients will for example feel more confident with your services if the decor of your office speaks of class and professionalism, same way as when you are able to hire one or two additional support staff. Having a well-structured out budget will help you decide whether to go for old or new apparatus. Ideally, if your budget allows, it is highly recommended that you buy new ophthalmic kit.

There are three options available when buying second-hand equipage. The first is to source items that have already been used in another private practice. One of the down sides of doing this may entail no warranty if such warranty has already expired. The purchased items may need to be validated by your personal technician to ensure that they are in good working order. Hidden wear and tear like worn out calibrations may result in heavy repair and maintenance costs over time. Without a doubt, there is higher risk in purchasing second-hand goods.

Two options not yet considered entail evaluating remanufactured or refurbished instruments. These apply mostly to higher-end eye care tools that have been reconditioned and put back onto the market. Substantially lower cost than out-of-the-box instruments usually applies.

Once you have finalized the way forward on purchasing relevant apparatus, the next important decision to which to apply your mind is where to make your purchases. There are many establishing professionals who look for instruments amongst retiring medical practitioners. Should you stumble across such a fortunate find then you can be assured that the quality of tools purchased will be good.

Another option is to browse through available auctioneering sites to check whether you might find some good buys. Wherever you chose to obtain your gear, it is critical that you secure documentation relevant to your purchases. Many auctioneers may have outstanding issues with a prior owner.

Always balance the price of used ophthalmic equipment with quality before you commit to purchase. With refurbished and remanufactured instruments, ensure that you get a long term warranty. A little research before buying can save you a lot of wasted time and money spent on subsequent repairs.




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