Previously, Lab Liquidators taught you how to buy surplus equipment, which is somewhat easier than knowing when your lab equipment still has a useful life. Surplus lab equipment can be removed after you upgrade your work implements, finish a deal for a job, fill out a contract for a more accessible but smaller space or any other life circumstance. If you find yourself with several pieces of equipment you’re not using, you might wonder if you can recuperate some of the cost of the equipment, there are typically two ways to do so. Either by selling it to scrappers who may use its parts to recycle it, or, selling it to someone willing to use it for a longer time.

Scrap equipment that is outdated or not usable

Scrapping lab equipment may sound weird to you, but it is a great way to prevent e-waste. We can define it as the process of reusing good parts out of old equipment that isn’t functional. This is the right step to take when your equipment isn’t in fully optimal condition or its software is fully outdated from modern computers. Thus being unuseful, when this happens you can take some of these recommendations:

• Search online for recycling facilities near you, this allows you to find a fast solution to your space problem while getting some fast money.
• Search online for people wanting to buy non-functional equipment. This may give a higher amount of money but is slower to make a deal.

How to examine surplus lab equipment

This can be divided in steps:

1. Does it look good on the outside? Although not enough to send equipment to waste, it does need to look decently to be sold.
2. Does it turn on? This can be a great plus, since selling equipment that only needs small fixes may seem appealing to an experienced buyer.
3. Does it work? If you know your surplus equipment works, you can get a higher amount of money out of it when selling.
4. Can it transfer data? Some tools might be functional but not compatible with modern-day data software or operating systems. Unfortunately, being totally outdated condemns your equipment to scrapping.
5. Are all of the components present, or are there some missing? When your equipment is broken and needs fixes, the buyer will want to know if it has all the parts or if there are any missing. It will help when scrapping is needed and when knowing what to change in order for the equipment to be functionable.

If the answer to these questions is positive, it may be more valuable as an asset to sell rather than scrap. But even if it is broken or missing a part, you can ask merchants to see if they are interested in it. Sometimes, fixed equipment is valuable after being fixed and you never know without asking.

Sell equipment that is still useful

If this surplus equipment is not yours but from your work, there are 4 questions you need to ask before attempting to sell it. These questions are going to save you many problems.

After you check that you’ve got permission to sell it, you first need to identify which marketplace you are going to use or who you are going to offer it to.

Also, you need to find signs that the equipment looks good and is fully functioning. Some things you need to check are:

• Cleanliness: this task can’t be overlooked. If your team didn’t have the habit of regularly cleaning the equipment after each use, it might be oxidized from the chemicals or fluids it came in contact with. If your equipment is fully functioning but only dusty, take a clean sponge and clean it off.
• Calibration: check at various times that your equipment is perfectly calibrated. Some equipment can get out of calibration easily if you don’t follow its instructions. Always keep in reach of your manual to see how to correct it.
• Software specifications: check if your equipment works with software compatible with current computer specifications.
• Status of internal mechanism: sometimes your equipment is able to be turned on but not able to work. There might be some dust or oxide inside it or some of the parts that require regular maintenance or replacement may need to be changed out.

Lab Liquidators: interested in surplus lab equipment

Once you have checked that your equipment is functioning, you can either offer it in a marketplace or directly contact someone who might be interested in it. Remember that even if it is broken, you can still offer it for sale to see if it is valuable to a buyer.

That is where we enter in the process, Lab Liquidators is a US-based company that resells and refurbishes lab equipment, helping your team maximize its budget. We typically buy equipment whether working or non-working, and will take the burden of testing and cleaning equipment before sale.

Doing business with Lab Liquidators is ideal for researchers and companies that want to recover some of the original investment, and devote their attention to the research process rather than marketing and sales management. and free up space without the risk of consignment.

If you are interested in offering your equipment to us, you can either fill this form or call 507-316-4174