All businesses need equipment. For some, this means little more than a few computers and printers. For other companies, equipment equals heavy machinery, and while it’s often a necessary purchase for the functionality of the business, it’s important to think about the impact it’ll have on the company’s finances.
The good news is that there’s more than one way to buy equipment for your business. For most companies, it comes down to a question of whether to buy new or used equipment. There are advantages and disadvantages to both. We’ll take a look at the pros and cons of each in this blog.
Buying New
Most businesses automatically look at buying new equipment. This is partly because they don’t think there’s any other option. So what are the advantages and disadvantages of buying new equipment? Let’s take a look.
Pros
The most obvious advantage is that you’ll know that you’ll be the first to use the equipment. That means that it’ll be in the same condition — and just as shiny — as when it left the factory. Buying new is also the best option if you need a niche piece of equipment quickly. Indeed, if there are no second-hand options available, then you may have no other chance than to buy new.
A new product will also be more likely to have the latest technology and will come with a long warranty that protects your purchase.
Cons
The primary downside to buying new equipment is that it can be extremely expensive. You get the advantages of being the first to use the item, but you’ll be paying for the privilege. Another downside is that as soon as you use the equipment, depreciation will set in. That means that the equipment may have lost a significant amount of its value almost instantaneously. This is not good for companies that hope to get the most from their assets.
The additional costs of new equipment can also be prohibitive. For instance, there may be taxes, and insurance is likely to be more expensive.
Buying Used
Given the downsides of buying new, many companies are looking to buy used, especially since there is currently a large inventory of second-hand equipment available for purchase. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of taking this route.
Pros
The primary reason businesses, especially small to medium businesses, buy used is because it’s the most cost-efficient way to get what they need. Unless you positively need the latest technology, then used equipment can give you what you need, without breaking the bank. You can usually find excellent, highly advanced equipment at a great price.
Cons
The primary downside of buying used equipment is that it doesn’t usually come with the same length of warranty as new equipment. You may also have to replace the equipment earlier than if you’d bought it new. However, this detail is often overridden by the financial incentive of buying used since the cost of the equipment can be around 40% less than buying new.