Tips for Buying Second Hand Business Equipment
Starting or running a small business is costly, so saving money on everything from storage to equipment is crucial. Freeing up the finances by avoiding needless spending is the difference in success or failure. Whether you’re looking to buy a second-hand filing cabinet for the office or second-hand tools to improve efficiency in the warehouse, the below tips will help you save money where it matters most.
Tatty Furniture Could Help You Save a Fortune
An old wooden bookcase or desk might look a bit out of place if it’s second-hand, but it’s not about what it looks like now, it’s about what it looks like once you’ve given it new life. It’s easy to overlook old furniture for the office or in a customer-facing environment, as it could make your business look unprofessional. However, if you’re willing to give items a sanding down and a lick of paint, they’ll look like new again. As long as your second-hand furniture looks fresh, it’ll look attractive and professional.
Take Advantage of Local Classifieds Websites
There’s a good website over at zoomthelist.com that will connect you with hundreds of locals on Craig’s List looking to sell second-hand furniture and/or equipment for your business. There are also many businesses in your area looking to get rid of older goods they no longer need. Taking advantage of such sites will help you bring equipment expenses down considerably. You can buy anything from furniture and tools to office supplies for just a few bucks if you’re willing to spend the time looking.
Don’t Spend Much Time Revitalizing Old Equipment
As stated above, old furniture and tools will likely need a good clean up before they look attractive again. The key here is to only buy equipment if it doesn’t need too much work. It’s very easy to buy second-hand furniture and then spend hours doing it up. You should always keep on top of running your business first before you spend hours on cleaning used goods. Spending less on equipment is all well and good, but not if you’re letting your usual business standards drop because of it.
Approach Buying Used Equipment Differently
If you’re looking for a large corner desk to fill your office space, it might be pointless looking for a single desk. It might be easier to find two or three cheap desks that can be joined together instead. Always think outside of the box when looking for second-hand equipment and you’ll find yourself many more bargains. It takes a bit more effort to achieve, but it’s worth it in the end when you get that corner desk you’ve been craving for.
Buying second-hand equipment isn’t easy to benefit from, as you could always end up with something that breaks. However, if you’re willing to spend the time testing second-hand goods and the time bringing it back to life, you could end up saving your small business thousands every year – which could prove to be the difference in your business succeeding or failing.