I have found that certain items, like heat blocks and waterbaths, can be found in nice shape and at good prices, even for models that are only a couple of years old. Other items, such as microcentrifuges and electrophoresis power supplies, are more difficult to find in modern forms, and finding one at a good price is even rarer. Micropipettors are a real gamble – you can almost always find them at a third to a quarter of retail prices, but repairing a poorly maintained micropipette can easily chew up any money that you saved and then some.
The other area where eBay shines is the availability of old equipment, or parts for old equipment. In my current lab we have an older fluorimeter that is due to be replaced, but is expensive enough that it cannot be done mid-grantcycle. When the power supply went out, we discovered that the fluorimeter was no longer supported, and the company no longer stocked parts for it. However, we did find somebody on eBay selling just what we needed. Admittedly, the selection available on eBay at any given point in time isn’t so great that you can count on finding the parts that you need, but it does provide one more place to look when you are in a bind.
Who to buy from? There is inherent risk in buying used lab equipment. You can minimize the risk by employing some of the common eBay rules: don’t buy from people with low feedback scores, a low number of sales, or strict ‘as-is’ or ‘no return’ policies. Another aspect to keep in mind is the seller’s experience with lab equipment, which is usually apparent in the ad listing. If the ad for a water bath reads “the unit turns on and heats up,” then that likely isn’t as experienced a seller (with lab equipment) as one who states “the unit powers up and maintains temperature (37C) overnight.” The second unit is much less of a risk than the first. You can also gauge the experience of the seller by looking at their current listings, or by looking at their most recent sales to see how much lab equipment they deal with. Don’t be afraid to ask questions before you buy. If you do get a piece of equipment that is broken, you should contact the seller immediately, since they are likely to accept the unit back or refund your money to convince you to not leave negative feedback on their account. There are some sellers that specialize in lab equipment and have large eBay stores that you can browse – they are a very safe bet to buy from, but they are also very aware of the value of what they are selling and price their items accordingly.
How can I buy off eBay? This is what you should ask your boss and your lab’s financial administrator. Often you can buy things yourself and the lab can reimburse you for the purchase, but different universities have different rules about this, so check first. Sometimes the lab or department will have a person who can buy the item directly from eBay. Before you do anything, though, talk to the lab head and make sure they are comfortable with purchasing used equipment and the risks that go along with that.
What are your experiences of buying equipment from eBay, or any other non-standard source for that matter?
