Purchasing the right laboratory equipment is one of the most significant investments that laboratory owners in Australia can ever make. It is essential not to be hasty when looking into laboratory equipment/laboratory equipment suppliers and always consider every facet before finalising the purchase. Taking calculated decisions will ensure that your return on investment will be maximum after the purchase.
The market for laboratory equipment/laboratory equipment suppliers is pretty significant in Australia, with thousands of design models and brands churning out the best products. So how do laboratory owners choose the best equipment for their labs?
In order to help you with that task, listed below are the different things to look into to help make purchasing lab equipment more seamless:
The Price of the Equipment
The budget will always be the priority here, especially for newer labs that have just sprouted in the country. The reason why the price is important is that it reflects the brand and quality of the device that is bought. However, that doesn’t mean people should go for the most expensive one. On the other hand, one should not compromise quality for cheaper products. Quality devices and tools in the high-end price range will be more durable, and the cost of maintenance required will be less over the years. Meanwhile, the same can’t be said for lower-quality models. So when looking at the budget, consider the quality and the years of maintenance costs needed and compare the different prices of the same equipment offered by other brands in Australia.
Availability of Spare Parts
Speaking of spare parts and consumables, most laboratory equipment will require either one or more. And if the laboratory equipment doesn’t have the best parts needed for repair in the area, then that will cause unnecessary delays as workers need to go long distances to get the parts they need. So, considering the availability of parts and other consumables will help laboratory owners plan the ordering and delivery cycles in advance, thereby reducing the delays and downtime in the laboratory.
Warranty
Buying lab equipment can drain the financials as most of them don’t come cheap. Laboratory owners need to look into every available avenue if they want to save a significant portion of their budget. And claiming the warranty of the equipment offers a chance to do that. So, consider the duration of the warranty that comes with the equipment purchased. The longer, the better, but this depends on the manufacturers or the brands. Also, look into the various factors that can void a warranty and whether an extended warranty option is available for buyers. A service contract should be drawn up after the warranty expires, so look into the additional costs for parts, transportation, and the response times for these contracts. In most cases, a service contract covers more than an extended warranty, but that again depends on the manufacturer of the equipment. Laboratory owners can also look for alternatives other than service contracts, provided that it is cost-effective and ensures that the equipment will be well taken care of by the professional for many years.
Frequency of Usage
A factor that is often overlooked by most laboratory owners in Australia is the frequency of usage of the equipment. A piece of equipment that is to be used regularly needs to be of the best quality and durability compared to equipment that is used only several times a month. As such, the greater the frequency of usage, the more durability and quality requirements for the equipment.
