Buying and Selling
Preowned (Used) Medical Equipment’s- Things to Keep in mind
With rising costs of
setting up and managing Healthcare facilities it becomes important that we as
Doctors and concerned about our financial health in addition to providing exceptionally
good clinical services to our patients.
We can find a way to take
care both the financial health of our organisation and health of our patients
by procuring preowned equipment’s from other Hospitals or from the secondary
equipment market. This way we can save operating costs and also at the same
time continue to provide high quality care to our patients.
If Buyers and sellers have
a clear understanding of the sale process, this will form a very viable
alternative to new equipment’s which are expensive. The quality of new equipment’s
Understandably, the
process of buying or selling pre-owned medical equipment is more complicated
than it would be for a used car. Both buyers and sellers must be aware of how
to go about it to help ensure the best results for everyone.
This blog is for anyone
looking to buy or sell medical equipment on the secondary market with some
useful tips. When done with care, these types of transactions can be beneficial
for hospitals, health care providers and patients.
Buyers Guide. Where to Look for Used Equipment’s
1) Social Media – Colleagues
usually post about these equipment’s on professional what’s app groups and
Facebook pages. For example https://www.facebook.com/groups/OphthalEquipmentForum is a forum
dealing with New and used Equipment’s in Facebook for Ophthalmologists.
2) Equipment
Companies- Most Equipment companies now have option for refurbished
Equipment- Its good to purchase from them but may be costlier than buying
directly from a seller. They take back old machines from Doctors when they are
upgrading to latest ones, refurbish and provide them.
3) Dealers of Used
Equipment-There are many dealers who deal with used Equipment. Most
important to check is the credibility of these dealers and the equipment’s they
sell before we deal with them.
4) Closing Medical
Facilities-Watch out for closing medical facilities – if you know of any
facility which is closing in your locality ask regarding their equipment’s.
5) Online sites- There are
many websites which sell preowned equipment’s, you may search online to check
them for your speciality. Exercise extra caution when dealing with
International websites.
Tips for Buyers
1)
Verify the source – Its very important to
verify the source of the equipment, always better to buy from known colleagues
rather than third party sellers.
2)
Always confirm the Equipment’s Condition- Buyers should
verify the equipment’s condition before they make the purchase. Either go
directly and inspect or send a trusted person to check the equipment
physically, verify working condition, year of purchase, purchase bills, if the
equipment is on any loan, accessories, AMC, CMC etc. You can also use third
party resources who can verify and valuate equipment.
3)
Terms of sale- Get the terms of sale in writing from the
seller of the equipment. It is better to have the seller service the equipment
from the company before he makes the sale. Get the seller to pack the equipment
properly with the original packing material and send through a reliable
courier. Its better to insure the equipment for damage during the transport
process. You can have a condition of returning back the equipment if equipment
malfunctions due to mother board type of issue within 3 months from the sale
period.
4)
Negotiate fairly- Its very important to negotiate the price in
a fair manner with the seller and not ask for too low prices, and once price is
agreed upon, pay an advance to ensure your commitment.
Tips for Sellers
1) Provide Proper
details: Whenever equipment is listed on social media- make sure to give
proper details such as Name, Brand, Model. Year of purchase, Accessories, AMC,
CMC, reason for sale, condition of the equipment and your expected price and
remember to add as many pictures of the equipment as possible with your contact
information.
2) Know who is
buying: When you get enquiry- know the seller completely and if he is a
Doctor, or Administrator or Equipment purchaser. Better to sell to Doctors
directly – when dealing with third parties always provide the equipment after
complete payment. You will get better prices when you sell equipment directly
to a buyer rather than offering the company as a buy back.
3) How to price
your Equipment: This depends on Age of device, cosmetic condition, Age and type
of technology, Ease of Transportation and Installation, Working condition, AMC,
CMC etc. Of these the most important is the age of Technology and working
condition of the equipment.
4) Price fairly: Based on the
above condition price your equipment fairly- asking too much will delay the
sales and will lead to dead asset in your centre. Remember the quicker you
dispose the equipment the better. Be honest and tell all details completely to
the buyer about your equipment. Please note that though finance is involved you
are going to help a junior colleague for his practice by providing your
equipment so always have this thought in mind.
5) Put everything
in paper- When you sell the equipment, put the sale conditions on paper
and get it signed by the seller and retain one copy with you. For example, if
you there is small fault in the screen of the equipment, mention that this has
been shown and explained clearly to the seller before the purchase.
6) Involve
professionals- Seek help from professionals before you want to sell your
equipment, determine prices etc.
7) Support the
Buyer- Provide as much support to the buyer as possible – by asking
the company person to service and pack the equipment professionally so that
there is no damage during transport. Provide all paperwork and bills for
courier company and also make sure you engage a good company to transport and
handover the device to the buyer. Make sure your handhold the buyer till the
time the equipment reaches him and starts working.
8) Have Patience- Finally
preowned Equipment sales are a long process and you should have patience to
conclude the sale.
You can involve Ophthall Practice Development to assist in your equipment sales- for more info
Post Details of Preowned Equipment in our discussion board
https://ophthall.in/ophthall/discussion-board
Email [email protected]
Website www.ophthall.in
Call Mr Hari 8754517944
Facebook group
