Tips On Finding Quality Used Ophthalmic Equipment

By Lela Perkins


Many optometrists find it challenging to run a successful eye care practice. One reason for this is that ophthalmic technology, equipment and instrumentation keep on changing. Ophthalmic devices are very expensive and it is hard to buy every new device in the market. Fortunately you can get necessary instruments if you consider purchasing used ophthalmic equipment.

A large number of optometrists are realizing the importance of using such devices in their practices. Used machines perform in the same manner as new machines and you can get them at a lower price. Many professionals have the misconception that second hand devices are not that good.

Second hand instruments that are inspected by technicians function very well and they can help you reduce the capital demands of your practice. This will leave you with money that you can invest in other areas of your business such as hiring staff and office decor. This is very important especially if you are just starting out.

Office decor is important because it displays the level of class and professionalism of your practice. It can boost the confidence of your clients. With more staff in your practice, you can be able to provide your customers with many of the services they need. Opting for cheaper second hand machines allows you to spread your budget to cater for all aspects of your optometry practice.

Generally, you can get second hand instruments for your practice in three ways. One of them is purchasing second hand devices from an optometrist. However, these instruments usually do not have a warranty. Another option is to buy remanufactured instruments and the third one is to buy refurbished instruments. These two options mostly apply to high end ophthalmic instruments. They are reconditioned and resold.

The process taken to remanufacture devices involves dismantling, repairing and then rebuilding them to make sure that they comply with the specifications of a manufacturer. After this, they are reassembled and then sold at prices that are a little bit lower than those of new instruments. The remanufacturing process is usually done to machines that have been in use for more than two years.

The refurbishing process is usually performed on devices that are not older than two years by either a manufacturer or equipment dealer. It involves the clean up of devices and the replacement of broken or missing components. Unlike remanufacturing, this process does not involve tearing down and rebuilding the devices. Therefore, refurbished instruments may appear to be older than the remanufactured ones.

Once you decide whether to source your instruments from a practice or to buy remanufactured or refurbished devices, you should then think about the best place to get them. One good option is buying devices from optometrists who are retiring because it is very likely for you to get high quality second hand instruments in this way.

You can also search through a number of auctioneering websites to find out whether they stock high quality instruments. When buying these devices, it is wise to ask the seller to provide you with relevant documentation for them. You should also weigh the prices of the used ophthalmic equipment against their quality before making a purchasing decision.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment