Protect your research: Understanding the true cost of used lab equipment

Whether you’re setting up or scaling a lab, second-hand equipment can seem like a smart way to stretch your budget. But across labs of all sizes from start-ups to global enterprises we’ve seen that the savings often come with risks.

Contamination, costly downtime, unsupported repairs, and compliance failures are just a few of the issues that can follow a second-hand purchase. And when scientific progress is on the line, these aren’t problems you can afford to inherit.

At MyAmici, we’ve worked alongside hundreds of labs at every stage of growth. And we’ve seen the real cost of choosing used equipment over new, both operationally and financially.

Why This Matters Whether You’re a Startup or a Scale-Up

Second-hand equipment has introduced risk and inefficiency into research environments.

From unreliable components to lack of serviceability, there are issues that impact every type of lab and user, whether you’re:

• A founder trying to maximise early-stage runway
• A lab manager responsible for operational uptime
• A procurement lead balancing compliance and cost
• A COO focused on long-term scalability

A Few Questions Worth Asking:

• Do you know how the equipment was used, stored, or maintained before it reached you?
• Are you confident the manufacturer will support it?
• Will it meet your lab’s current requirements and future ones?
• Could this purchase slow your team down rather than move them forward?

These are just some of the considerations many labs overlook in the rush to save money especially when sourcing through auctions or clearance resellers.

A Common Story We Hear:

“We thought we’d saved money kitting out the lab with used equipment. But one piece turned out to be the source of a persistent contamination issue we couldn’t trace. It cost us weeks of time, burned through consumables, and delayed critical data—just as we were preparing for a funding milestone.”

 

That’s not an isolated case. And it’s why many of the labs we support now choose to invest in fit-for-purpose equipment from the start with full-service coverage, energy efficiency, and long-term reliability.

What’s the Alternative?

With MyAmici’s unique group buying power, we can secure significant discounts on brand-new, fully supported equipment direct from manufacturers or authorised distributors. That means:

• Warranties up to several years
• Service contracts that ensure uptime
• Equipment aligned with your lab’s current and future needs

And if budget constraints are a real blocker, we’ll also explain the one legitimate path to buying refurbished lab equipment direct from the manufacturer, with full validation and a short-term warranty in our webinar.

Final Thought

From cleanroom-ready biologics facilities to agile R&D teams in incubators, one principle holds true: the integrity of your research depends on the integrity of your equipment. Let’s make sure that bargain doesn’t end up costing more than it’s worth.

Ready to transform your operations? Contact MyAmici today to discuss your specific scaling challenges and discover how our solutions can accelerate your growth.

Book a free consultation call with MyAmici today