How to Assess Used Lab Instrument Quality

It is critical to inspect the quality of used lab instruments before purchasing them online in order to reduce your risk of losing money. Things to make sure are that the device looks presentable and turns on. This is to ensure that the product is operational and capable of performing accurate laboratory applications. Failure to do so can cost you thousands of dollars in the long run, and you may be stuck with a non-working device sold “as is.” You can solve this problem by looking at product photos and videos, as well as customer reviews. We’ve taken the time to create this guide to assisting in the evaluation of product quality.

Photos

When looking at photos, it is essential to evaluate each one. Photos can sometimes show you major deformities that could impact its performance, and whether it’s functional altogether. If a device appears to be in poor condition and has not received any recent repairs, it may not be a good idea to purchase the device. However, if a product has a few dents or scratches but is still functional, purchasing it will save a significant amount of money. When reviewing photos, always make sure the device is turned on. A device that is unplugged, turned off, and labeled “as is” is almost certainly a lemon lab instrument, and your money would be better spent elsewhere. Photos are a great way to indicate the quality of a used lab instrument but watching a product video is even better.

Videos

When reviewing product videos, make sure that the product is shown from a variety of angles and that the device is turned on and operational. When our service team films our product videos, they strictly adhere to our company policy by turning on the device and demonstrating it in perfect working order. This is so customers can be confident that the device they buy is fully functional.  We also demonstrate various processes and selections on devices to demonstrate their features. We do this because our policy is to always be open and honest with our customers, which is something that sets us apart from our competitors and we are proud of. Watching videos is a good way to show you product authenticity, but customer feedback in the form of reviews can sometimes give you a better idea on the products quality.

Reviews

Reviews are another thing to look into. Make sure that not only the used lab instrument itself is in good condition, but that the actual model of the instrument lasts a long time with no major issues. This is where customer feedback comes into play. Reviews can be found on the manufacturer’s website as well as other product review forums. We advise you to avoid other resellers because their review systems only accept reviews with four stars or higher. Worse is that some forge all of their reviews. When in doubt, read the comments to ensure they look and sound legitimate.

Final thoughts…

Taking the time to assess the quality of a lab instrument before purchasing it can save you time, money, and headaches. That’s why it’s important to review the product photos, videos, and reviews before you make a purchase. This information is provided with each product listed by The Lab World Group so that you can accurately identify an appropriate instrument for your lab. We’re laboratory equipment professionals with over 20 years of combined experience, and we’ve always made sure our customers have a headache-free experience. Our products go through a rigorous testing process to verify that they are fully functional and optimized to factory standards. When you buy from The Lab World Group, you can expect complete transparency, operating lab instruments at optimal performance, and priority customer service.

Check out our definitive guide on buying used lab instruments if you want to learn more in-depth about buying used lab instruments.