Hidden Costs of Buying Used Imagers from Third-Party Vendors

Table of Contents

Used Biological Instruments

1. Warranty May Not Be Included
2. Service and Support Sold Separately
3. Installation and Training Not Included
4. Software and Hardware Sold Separately

Ask about Refurbished LICORbio Imaging Systems

---

Researchers with limited resources may find it tempting to consider buying used imagers from a third-party vendor. Who would blame them? After all, some resellers boast unbelievably low prices for the most advanced imaging systems on the market today. The problem with this is you only get what you pay for, and many third-party suppliers simply aren’t interested in supporting your research or even delivering the bare minimum in terms of customer service and support. That’s why we always recommend working directly with the manufacturer or a licensed distributor in these cases. Let’s explore some of the risks and hidden costs of buying used biomolecular imagers from third-party vendors.

Used Biological Instruments

Before we begin, allow us to set the record straight: there’s absolutely nothing wrong with buying used biological instrumentation. Sometimes it’s the most practical solution, and other times it may be the only option available. However, there’s a clear distinction between imaging systems refurbished by the original manufacturer and those simply resold by a third party. For instance, imagers refurbished by LICORbio always include official software and licenses, remote or onsite installation and training, and even a 1-year warranty at no added cost.

1. Warranty May Not Be Included

Third-party vendors may not offer warranties on their used biomolecular imagers. This is generally because it’s not in their best interest to guarantee the condition of these products, even for a brief period of time. In fact, you will often find their instruments sold “as is,” which is a sneaky way of saying, “purchase at your own risk.” If you are unable to identify any potential issues yourself before signing the agreement, then you may be in for an expensive surprise down the road.

Even if a third-party reseller does offer a warranty, they are uncertified to service your instrument to the standards your lab deserves. This may end up costing you significantly more time and money in the future, especially if you require repairs during a critical experiment.

By contrast, every refurbished LICORbio imaging system comes with an included 1-year warranty. This is more than a $5,000 value when you also consider the costs of a standalone diagnostic test and any additional service or repairs. What's more, our dedicated technicians personally inspect and assess every refurbished imager before delivery to ensure each meets our rigorous scientific standards.

2. Service and Support Sold Separately

Another hidden cost associated with imagers sold by third-party vendors is their lack of reliable service and support. Let’s say you purchase an instrument “as is” that malfunctions within the first few months of use. Try as you may, you simply cannot resolve or even identify the issue yourself. If you are lucky, the supplier will only ask you to ship your instrument back to them (at your expense) and wait 4–6 weeks for a replacement. Worst case scenario: they will point out a clause in the sales agreement stating that you are personally responsible for all repairs.

This may not seem fair to you, and we couldn’t agree more. That’s why we guarantee all our refurbished imagers will be serviceable for at least one year after their purchase. Our 1-year warranty comes with no surprises. By contrast, third-party instruments must be shipped to LICORbio and evaluated if our service team needs to qualify them, which could potentially cost you over $5,000. Not to mention a vendor’s imager may not be serviceable at all in some cases, especially if it’s an older or discontinued model.

3. Installation and Training Not Included

Modern biomolecular imagers are large, complex pieces of electronic equipment. They can sometimes weigh more than 100 pounds, and they always contain carefully designed circuits, lasers, and interdependent internal mechanisms. Are you confident enough to lift, transport, install, and operate one of these devices in your own lab without any prior training? Unfortunately, you may have to be if you purchase it from a third-party vendor.

The time, patience, and expertise needed for proper installation are perhaps the largest hidden costs associated with third-party instruments. The learning curve can be daunting and the margin for error unforgiving, which is probably why third-party vendors don’t offer installation services for used instruments. Even if they did, they may not be trained by the original manufacturer and certified to perform this service. Keep in mind you may be responsible for any damage you cause during installation if your agreement doesn’t include a warranty. Luckily, we provide remote installation and training during the first year for each and every refurbished LICORbio imager—yet another $5,000+ value.

Customers can also purchase on-site installation with any refurbished LICORbio imager. This service is included by default with every refurbished Odyssey^® M Imaging System, as it’s the only way to properly install and guarantee the performance of the instrument. One of our certified service technicians will personally install your instrument, certify the system from top to bottom, and train your team to use it correctly. They will also lay out best practices for daily operation and long-term maintenance, ensuring you always get the most value from your investment.

4. Software and Hardware Sold Separately

Today’s digital imaging systems operate alongside powerful computers and dedicated software applications. They often require these to function as intended, unless they feature an onboard computer and user interface (which is rare). If you buy an instrument from a third-party vendor, it’s unlikely to include the software or hardware required to immediately perform your experiments.

This may not seem like a hidden cost at first glance. You could already have a computer (or several) in your lab loaded with your favorite acquisition and analysis applications. However, there are various risks associated with outdated hardware and unlicensed software. Your lab may be subject to sudden data loss, unexpected downtime, and troublesome compatibility issues if your computer is outdated or unreliable. Plus, if you’re using an unlicensed version of software, then you may be in breach of its end-user license agreement (EULA). This may preclude you from receiving support if you need software help.

The truth is many third-party vendors don’t supply their customers with reliable acquisition or analysis software. They generally expect you to handle that yourself, which you may not be completely comfortable doing at your own risk. Regardless, we prefer to set our customers up for immediate success, which is why we offer several great software options with our refurbished instruments: LI-COR^® Acquisition Software, Empiria Studio^® Software, and Image Studio™ Software (and their respective licenses). We also offer an optional desktop computer and monitor if the customer needs them.

Ask about Refurbished LICORbio Imaging Systems

We understand not every lab needs a brand-new, top-of-the-line instrument to perform their research. Sometimes a used model is the best decision, and there’s nothing wrong with that at all. However, every customer deserves to feel confident in their purchase and receive the same high-quality service and support, regardless of their budget.

Our goal is to dissolve the barriers to cutting-edge science by providing our industry-leading imagers, world-class service and support, and flexible software applications at competitive rates. If you’re considering buying a used instrument from a third-party vendor, then we encourage you to reach out to us instead. You deserve to work with a manufacturer who values your time and resources, and we’re sure to have an option that fits your lab’s unique needs.