New vs. Used

New, Used or Remanufactured, is there a right choice?

Business owners are always looking for ways to save money. Whether you're an office manager, company controller, or a business owner, you know that buying new office furniture can be extremely expensive. That's why more and more people are turning to used and remanufactured office furniture to save money while furnishing their offices. At the same time you play a significant role in preserving the environment.

If money is no object, feel free to buy as much new office furniture as you need. But if you're working within a strict budget, or see the money you save being spent in another way; used office furniture may be the way to go. It's possible to purchase used or remanufactured office furniture that will not only look good, but will also be accepted by employees and customers alike. Buying a used or remanufactured system like Teknion’s TOS panel system actually gets you a better quality product, compared to buying a low end entry level panel system at close to the same price. Some of the benefits of purchasing used office furniture include:

• Saving money. You can save more than 50 percent over the cost of buying new office furniture. Most used office furniture pieces have only been used for a few years (or less) and have minimal wear and tear. Once the bubble wrap is taken off and the price tag is removed, most people cannot tell the difference between a new desk and a used desk.
• Saving time. If you've ever ordered new office furniture, you know that sometimes it can take up to six weeks to be delivered. Compare that to most used office furniture outlets that can have a truck at your front door in 72 hours or less.
• Reducing environmental impact. When a used wooden office desk is sent to the landfill, it takes years to break down. By buying of used office furniture, you will get a much better deal and help save the planet at the same time.
• Getting more for your money. When you buy new office furniture, the resale value can depreciate to 95 percent or less of the original purchase price the day after it’s purchased! But when you buy used office furniture, the resale value can remain as high as 75 percent of what you paid for it. In addition, you may have to pay for the removal of the new furniture using the little money you may have received for selling your new furniture that you paid top dollar for.

Many business owners are using the Internet to buy and sell their office equipment. Online auction sites are now filled with listings of used office furniture of all shapes, sizes, conditions and price. Of course, when buying heavy furniture online, you may end up paying more in shipping charges than you would if you purchased it locally, so be sure to factor in those costs as well.

When buying used office furniture, keep in mind that you might not be able to find the color or design you had in mind. The key point to remember is it’s just like buying a used car: you must accept the color, condition, and size, and hopefully the money you will save will be worth your time and effort. Of course you have the option to purchase remanufactured office furniture in which case you get to pick the design, color and all the other finishes!