Buying & Selling Used Lab Equipment with ALT

Starting a life sciences or biotechnology lab requires careful financial planning. From hiring specialized staff to procuring advanced equipment and establishing facilities, the costs can quickly add up. To make your budget stretch further, it’s essential to explore cost-effective options—especially when acquiring key laboratory equipment. One smart choice is purchasing through American Laboratory Trading (ALT), a leading provider of refurbished and resale equipment for the life sciences industry.

ALT, headquartered in East Lyme, Connecticut, specializes in helping labs save money without compromising on quality. With a proven track record of monetizing surplus assets for over 300 companies, ALT offers tailored solutions, from selling individual equipment to liquidating entire labs. Acquired by Heritage Global Partners, the company has expanded its services, operating warehouses in Northeast and Northern California and customer service centers in key biotech hubs like San Diego.

In this article, we’ll explore the asset management services offered by ALT, with a focus on how their surplus equipment solutions can help labs save money and operate efficiently.

Buying Lab Equipment from ALT

American Laboratory Trading (ALT) offers an extensive inventory of over 6,000 high-quality lab instruments, including triple quadrupole mass spectrometers, HPLC and FPLC systems, PCR machines, incubators, cold storage solutions, and essential benchtop accessories. Their equipment features top manufacturers like Thermo Fisher Scientific, Agilent Technologies, PerkinElmer, VWR, and Eppendorf. Each piece is meticulously refurbished, rigorously tested for functionality, and backed by a 90-day warranty, with an optional one-year extension available.

Categories of Lab Equipment

ALT’s inventory includes a wide variety of laboratory instruments categorized for convenience, such as:

• Balances/scales
• Centrifuges
• Evaporators
• Hoods (fume hoods, biosafety cabinets)
• Incubators
• Microscopes
• Freezers
• Spectrometers

By maintaining a focus on quality, ALT ensures that customers receive reliable equipment at a fraction of retail prices.

New Arrivals

ALT frequently updates its inventory with new arrivals. By visiting their website, you can browse the latest additions, learn about the equipment manufacturers, availability, and product conditions, and access detailed specifications. Each listing includes a "more info" option for a comprehensive overview.

Why Refurbished Lab Equipment Is a Smart Choice

For labs aiming to stretch their budgets while maintaining quality, refurbished lab equipment offers a practical and cost-effective solution. Here’s why it’s a smart choice:

1. Significant cost savings: Refurbished equipment is typically 50-80% less expensive than new, allowing labs to allocate funds toward other critical areas, such as staffing, research, and facility upgrades.
2. Reliable performance: Reputable providers like ALT rigorously refurbish, test, and certify their equipment to ensure it performs at a high standard. Backed by warranties, refurbished instruments can deliver the same reliability as new ones.
3. Sustainability benefits: Choosing refurbished over new helps reduce waste and supports green initiatives by extending the lifecycle of existing instruments. It’s an environmentally responsible decision that aligns with the values of many modern labs.
4. Faster procurement: New equipment often involves long lead times for manufacturing and delivery. With refurbished equipment, labs can get the tools they need more quickly, minimizing delays in project timelines.

By opting for refurbished equipment, labs can balance quality, budget, and sustainability—an ideal combination for both start-ups and established facilities.

Lab Start-Up Services

For labs operating on a tight budget, ALT provides tailored solutions to help you equip your entire facility affordably. From microscopes and cold storage units to biosafety cabinets and analytical instruments, ALT offers premium refurbished products that cost 50% to 80% less than retail prices.

To get started, fill out a form on ALT’s website with your requirements. An equipment expert will then curate a package aligned with your budget and scientific needs, providing a seamless, cost-effective start-up solution.

Current Sales

ALT offers significant discounts—up to 80% off retail prices—on its tested and warrantied equipment. Current sales are listed on their website, providing an excellent opportunity to save even more on essential lab tools.

Selling Lab Equipment to ALT

If you have idle equipment occupying valuable space in your lab, ALT offers a streamlined process to help you sell your surplus instruments efficiently. Here's how it works:

1. Submit information: Complete the sell/trade request form on ALT’s website, providing details about the equipment you wish to sell.
2. Equipment evaluation: ALT’s team will assess the information and may request additional details or photos to accurately evaluate the equipment's condition and market value.
3. Receive an offer: Based on the evaluation, ALT will present you with a fair market offer for outright purchase or discuss consignment options to maximize your return on investment.
4. Agreement and logistics: Once you accept the offer, ALT coordinates all logistics, including packing and transportation, ensuring a hassle-free experience for you.
5. Payment: After the equipment is received and verified, ALT processes prompt payment, providing you with quick access to funds.

This efficient process allows you to monetize surplus assets while contributing to the sustainability of the scientific community by enabling the reuse of quality equipment.

How to Evaluate Lab Equipment Suppliers

Choosing the right supplier is essential for ensuring you receive reliable, high-quality lab equipment and excellent long-term support. Here are key factors to consider when evaluating suppliers:

1. Quality assurance: Verify that the supplier tests and certifies their equipment before sale. Look for warranties or guarantees, which indicate confidence in the equipment’s performance and reliability.
2. Diverse inventory: A well-rounded supplier offers a wide range of equipment, from benchtop accessories to advanced analytical instruments, and features products from reputable manufacturers. This ensures you can source everything you need in one place.
3. Customer support: A responsive and knowledgeable customer service team can make all the difference. Evaluate whether the supplier offers expert guidance, timely assistance, and a clear process for addressing questions or concerns.
4. Transparent pricing: Choose suppliers that provide clear and upfront pricing, including any refurbishment or warranty costs. Hidden fees or unclear terms can lead to unexpected expenses.
5. Sustainability commitment: Working with a supplier that prioritizes sustainability, such as by refurbishing and reselling equipment, helps you align your lab’s operations with green initiatives.
6. Flexible purchasing or leasing options: If you’re unsure whether to buy or lease equipment, find a supplier that offers both options. ALT excels in providing high-quality refurbished equipment for purchase, while Excedr’s leasing model offers unparalleled flexibility for sourcing both new and refurbished instruments.

Surplus Strategy Services

ALT specializes in creating customized surplus management strategies for biotech and pharmaceutical companies. These services provide:

• Increased working capital
• More time for researchers to focus on science
• Support for sustainability and green initiatives
• Access to high-quality equipment within the life sciences community

If you're interested in more than buying or selling equipment, ALT offers a suite of surplus services as well:

• Asset valuation
• Redeployment
• Lab relocation
• Lab closure
• Project and program management
• Outright purchase
• Store credit
• Consignment
• Auction

Laboratory Equipment Leasing

Through its partnership with North Star Leasing, ALT offers transparent and reliable leasing options. Unlike typical third-party leasing processes, ALT ensures high-quality equipment and direct customer support. This approach simplifies the leasing process and minimizes risk.

Finding the Right Solution for Your Lab

American Laboratory Trading (ALT) provides an excellent resource for life science and biotechnology labs looking to purchase high-quality refurbished equipment or monetize surplus assets. Their extensive inventory, discounted prices, and efficient selling process make them a reliable partner for equipping your lab or managing surplus instruments.

However, when it comes to leasing laboratory equipment, Excedr offers a unique advantage. Unlike ALT, which relies on a fixed inventory and a leasing partner, Excedr operates without maintaining an equipment inventory. This innovative approach allows Excedr to:

• Source exactly what you need: Excedr works with you to identify the specific equipment type you require and sources it directly from the manufacturer or supplier of your choice.
• Offer flexibility in equipment type and condition: Whether you need brand-new equipment or prefer a more cost-effective refurbished unit, Excedr tailors the leasing agreement to match your preferences.
• Provide greater customization: With no limitations imposed by in-stock inventory, Excedr ensures that your lab gets the precise tools it needs, rather than settling for what’s available.

This flexibility makes Excedr an ideal leasing partner for labs with specialized needs or those requiring a customized approach to outfitting and scaling their operations.

When choosing between purchasing, leasing, or selling equipment, it’s important to consider your lab's goals and constraints. ALT’s purchasing and resale solutions offer exceptional value for labs looking to stretch their budget. On the other hand, Excedr’s sourcing model and tailored leasing agreements provide the ultimate flexibility, empowering your lab to grow and adapt seamlessly.

To explore ALT’s offerings, visit their website. For a personalized and flexible leasing experience, learn more about Excedr’s services here.