Buying & Selling Used Lab Equipment with Surplus Solutions

Last Updated on 

January 7, 2025

By 

Excedr
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Starting a biotech or pharma company comes with significant challenges, from sourcing advanced equipment and hiring skilled scientists to procuring essential consumables. Scaling your business requires considerable investment, but when it comes to lab equipment, equipment auctions offer a cost-effective alternative.

Surplus Solutions, LLC, based in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, is a global leader in new and used lab equipment. Founded in 2006, the company helps biotech and pharmaceutical businesses buy and sell surplus equipment through auctions, brokerage, and tailored negotiation services. Their extensive inventory includes thousands of tools from leading manufacturers like Thermo Fisher Scientific and AB Sciex.

In this article, we’ll review Surplus Solutions’ services, their auction platform, and what to consider when purchasing lab equipment through auctions.

Buying Equipment from Surplus Solutions

Surplus Solutions provides the pharmaceutical and biotech industries with high-quality lab, processing, and packaging equipment from leading manufacturers. Their extensive inventory features thousands of items, offering reliable and cost-effective solutions for labs and facilities.

Lab Equipment

Surplus Solutions offers a wide range of lab equipment to meet diverse research and operational needs, including:

  • High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) systems
  • Acid/corrosive storage cabinets
  • Spectrophotometers
  • Centrifuges
  • Liquid handlers
  • PCR systems and thermal cyclers
  • Flammable storage cabinets
  • Fume hoods and biosafety cabinets
  • Autoclaves/steam sterilizers
  • Imagers and scanners

Packaging Equipment

The packaging equipment available in Surplus Solutions’ inventory includes:

  • Blister packaging machines
  • Metal detectors
  • Case packaging systems
  • Warehouse equipment
  • Labelers
  • Shrink equipment
  • Aerosol equipment
  • Inspection machines
  • Check weighers

Processing Equipment

For industrial and pharmaceutical processing, Surplus Solutions offers:

  • Capsule equipment
  • Tablet equipment
  • Process centrifuges
  • Tanks/reactors
  • Chillers
  • Injection molding machines
  • Chilsonators/roller compactors
  • Industrial water purification systems
  • Motors

Surplus Solutions Online Auctions

Surplus Solutions provides an accessible online auction platform, enabling customers to find great deals on surplus biotech and pharmaceutical equipment. Whether you’re looking for a single item or outfitting an entire facility, their auctions offer convenience and variety.

Key Benefits of Surplus Solutions Auctions

  1. Great deals: Customers can secure high-quality equipment at competitive prices, making auctions an excellent choice for those working within tight budgets.
  2. Extensive variety: With frequent turnover in their inventory, Surplus Solutions ensures a wide selection of equipment to meet diverse needs. From specialized lab instruments to industrial-scale processing tools, buyers can easily find the right solutions.
  3. Convenience: By hosting auctions online, Surplus Solutions makes the process simple and accessible. Physical inspections of selected items are available as needed, but most steps can be completed remotely, saving time and effort.

What to Watch Out for with Equipment Auctions

While equipment auctions can be a great way to secure quality lab equipment at a fraction of the cost, they come with certain risks. Here’s what you need to keep in mind:

No Guarantee of Equipment

Purchasing equipment at an auction is often a case of "buyer beware." Items are typically sold as-is, meaning no warranties or guarantees are provided regarding their condition, maintenance history, or repair needs. Once purchased, the responsibility for repairs and ongoing maintenance falls entirely on you. If the equipment malfunctions or becomes non-functional, replacements or exchanges are generally not an option.

Unknown State of Equipment

Auctions usually don’t allow for detailed physical inspections of the items before purchase. This leaves you in the dark about critical factors, such as:

  • Which parts have been repaired or replaced.
  • How the equipment was used and maintained by its previous owners.
  • Any underlying issues that may affect its performance.

This uncertainty makes buying from auctions a gamble, especially when the equipment’s condition is crucial for your lab’s operations.

Potential to Be Outbid

Bidding at auctions does not guarantee success. You could be outbid by another buyer and leave the auction empty-handed, wasting valuable time in the process. This is particularly problematic in fast-paced industries like biotech and pharma, where delays in procuring essential equipment can slow down critical research and development efforts.

Even if you choose to continue bidding, you may end up exceeding your intended budget. Overbidding on equipment with uncertain value can diminish the cost savings you hoped to achieve through the auction process.

Selling Equipment to Surplus Solutions

Surplus Solutions offers a comprehensive brokerage and consignment service for sellers, providing a hassle-free way to monetize surplus lab equipment. Whether you’re selling a single item or liquidating an entire facility, their streamlined process ensures maximum returns.

The Four-Step Selling Process

  1. Onsite Inspection: A certified equipment specialist will visit your facility to assess your surplus assets.
  2. Upfront Pricing: Surplus Solutions provides a transparent valuation of your equipment, offering upfront pricing for consigned items.
  3. Selling Channels: Based on your needs, the company proposes multiple selling options, including:
    • Brokerage: Acting as an intermediary to find the best buyers.
    • Outright Purchase: Buying the equipment directly from you.
    • Consignment: Selling items on your behalf while maximizing value.
    • Auctions: Including your equipment in one of their frequent sales.
  4. Full Payment Before Removal: Sellers are paid in full before their equipment is removed, ensuring a seamless and secure transaction. Additionally, Surplus Solutions covers inventory and logistics costs, minimizing any additional burden for the seller.

This seller-focused approach makes Surplus Solutions a trusted partner for anyone looking to monetize surplus equipment efficiently and effectively.

Find a Liquidator & Lease Lab Equipment Through Excedr

Surplus Solutions is a trusted partner for buying and selling surplus equipment in the biotech, pharmaceutical, and life sciences industries. Whether you’re looking to purchase a single item or liquidate an entire facility, their extensive inventory and tailored services make the process efficient and effective. With thousands of lab, processing, and packaging items from both small and leading manufacturers, Surplus Solutions provides accessible and affordable options to equip your labs. Their frequent auctions also offer opportunities to acquire high-quality equipment at significant savings.

While equipment auctions are a fantastic way to source advanced lab tools, they can come with challenges—such as the need for extensive research, unpredictable bidding processes, and a lack of equipment warranties. These factors can lead to delays or additional costs, which are especially problematic for labs on tight schedules or budgets.

This is where Excedr’s leasing program comes in as an excellent alternative. Excedr offers flexible leasing options for both new and refurbished lab equipment, covering everything from chromatography and imaging systems to analytical instruments. Key advantages of leasing with Excedr include:

  • Reduced upfront costs: Avoid the high capital expenses of purchasing equipment outright.
  • Repair and maintenance coverage: Leases include support to minimize downtime and eliminate repair costs.
  • Quick and customized solutions: Acquire the specific equipment your lab needs without the hassle of auctions, allowing you to focus on advancing your research.

Together, Surplus Solutions and Excedr provide complementary options for outfitting your lab. If you prefer purchasing surplus equipment at competitive prices, Surplus Solutions is the ideal partner. If leasing is a better fit for your needs, Excedr offers a customizable, hassle-free solution that accelerates your lab’s operations and helps you achieve milestones faster.

Whether you’re in the market to buy or lease, these two companies are excellent choices for ensuring your lab has the tools it needs to succeed. Explore Surplus Solutions’ auctions today or browse Excedr’s leasing options to find the right solution for your lab.

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