Like with most things we purchase, it can be tempting to run out and buy the latest and greatest. Whether it’s cars, appliances, or networking equipment, it’s easy to get drawn in by all the shiny bells and whistles that new equipment has to offer. That is until you take a look at the price tag. While you need networking equipment you can rely on and that will meet your needs, it is possible to get all of those things without buying brand new. Buying refurbished doesn’t mean you have to compromise. It means getting a quality product at a less than premium price. If you haven’t considered buying refurbished networking equipment before, there’s no better time than now to start. Here are 7 benefits of buying refurbished networking equipment.
1. Cost Savings
Often when people decide to make the switch from buying new to purchasing refurbished networking equipment, it’s due to price. Understandably so. IT budgets aren’t often unlimited and it’s not usually just one piece of equipment you’re purchasing. Being able to make your dollars go further is important, which is exactly what purchasing refurbished equipment allows. In fact, depending on what you’re purchasing, prices can be up to 90% less than new. If you can get the same great quality at a fraction of the price, that’s worth taking a second look at.
The only real difference in buying refurbished networking equipment is that it’s perhaps one generation or level back from the newest model. Think of it like buying a car that’s a year old. It still drives great, still has most, if not all of the features you’re looking for, it’s still safe and reliable, but it’s far less expensive than the current year’s model.
2. Quality, Tested Products
The thing about this type of equipment and dealing with brands like Cisco, Dell, and HP, is that they almost build it too good. They are built to last. If their networking equipment was a vehicle, it would be like a utility truck, not a tin can clunking down the road. They make it so great that it can and should be reused because it has so much life still left in it.
That said, something that can hold people back from buying refurbished networking equipment is the fear it’s somehow less quality because it’s used. That is a common misconception. In fact, as part of a proper refurbishing process, equipment is thoroughly inspected for cosmetic issues (dents, scratches, etc.) and fixed. The units are repainted if needed, checked for missing parts or components, operating systems reset, and extensive testing is done to ensure proper function, high-performance and reliability.
You get the equipment you need for a fraction of the cost of buying brand new. You also get peace of mind and confidence that the products you’re purchasing have been thoroughly inspected, tested, reset, and are ready for you to ensure the best possible performance for your network.
Networking Equipment Note: Most network hardware failures occur in the first 30 days, so when you buy refurbished equipment it’s already been ‘broken in’. Once networking equipment has been working flawlessly for a while, that reliability usually lasts throughout its lifetime.
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3. Better Warranties
When purchasing new networking equipment, it often comes with a 90-day or limited lifetime warranty, which is exactly that, limited. It can also be challenging to actually take advantage of the warranty. Oftentimes the limited warranties require inspections and other hoops to jump through before you can actually get your equipment serviced or replaced.
One of the benefits of buying refurbished networking equipment is that depending on where you’re purchasing from, it typically comes with an even better aftermarket warranty than when it was brand new. For example, at Summit we offer what’s called an Peek Select Lifetime Warranty. So, even if it’s 5,10, 15 years down the road, the equipment is covered under warranty. Be sure to look at the type of warranty you’re getting when purchasing your refurbished equipment.
4. Availability of Equipment
When equipment is refurbished, the product itself has likely been on the market for a while, which means there are more units available than if you were looking to purchase brand new equipment. In the very beginning when products and equipment come out, the lead time can be upwards of several weeks or more, because there simply aren’t enough units available in the market yet. You might not have that much time or patience to wait. Refurbished products won’t have that same lead time and you’ll be able to get your equipment sooner, if not right away.
Plus, when something is not widely available on the market, the price is usually a lot higher. The laws of supply and demand. And when it comes to refurbished equipment, since there’s usually a healthy supply out there, the price is lower.
5. Availability of Parts
A piece that can sometimes get overlooked when considering IT equipment purchases, is parts availability. Similar to equipment availability, if the part is for an older version of the equipment, there’s likely more of them available because they’ve been in circulation for longer. That means parts or products are readily available and typically can ship faster, oftentimes same day and in-stock items can be delivered overnight. You won’t have to wait for parts when you have a critical demand. These parts are reliable, and you also have the value-added convenience of getting them sooner.
6. Ongoing Guidance
A benefit of buying refurbished networking equipment that isn’t quite so obvious is the level of customer service and guidance you’ll get when buying from a quality vendor who sells refurbished products. This can be especially helpful if you’re new to buying equipment, new or used.
A reseller can help guide you in making the right equipment choices for your organization, answer questions you might have before purchase and provide support afterward. That’s why it’s important to make sure you’re working with someone who is trained and knowledgeable about the types of equipment you’re looking for. Otherwise, you might end up with the wrong equipment for your needs.
7. Reduce Environmental Impact
Besides the benefit it has on your IT budget, allowing you to stretch it even further and get more equipment for fewer dollars, you’re also having an impact on the environment. A positive one at that. Computers and computing deplete a lot of natural resources, from the raw materials that are needed to manufacture them, to the power used to run them and the problems of disposing them at the end of their life. When you buy refurbished equipment you’re extending the life of it. As we mentioned above, these products tend to have a lot of life left in them, even after someone has decided to buy new equipment. So you’re keeping functional products out of landfills longer. It’s a win-win. You get the equipment you need and your company does their part to minimize their environmental footprint.
These are just some of the main benefits of buying refurbished networking equipment. Ultimately, if you’re looking for a way to:
- Get the most out of your IT budget
- Purchase quality, proven products
- Ensure you have a reliable warranty to back up your purchases
- Have the convenience of readily available products and parts
- Get guidance from trusted and knowledgeable advisors
- Reduce your impact on the environment
Then it might be time for you to consider purchasing refurbished equipment. But if you’re unsure if it’s right for you and still have questions, we can help answer them.
