Four Ways to Sell Your Imaging Equipment

Technology has afforded us more ways to sell our stuff than ever. From Ebay, to Facebook, to Craigslist, it's never been easier to clear our spaces of tchotchkes and bric-a-brac. When it comes to selling off larger assets like radiology equipment, there are also more ways to sell. But more doesn’t always mean better.

As a company that buys used equipment we've seen sellers choose many different methods of liquidating their systems, to various effects. The following are the four most popular ways to sell imaging equipment, along with benefits and caveats for each.

Auction Sites

Listing your equipment on an auction site could be an option for you if you have time and flexibility for removal schedule and are willing to take a chance on the right person seeing it. You’ll also have to take responsibility for all the system information being accurate, which can be harder than it sounds.

If your listing doesn’t fall on the right eyes you may end up getting less than the equipment is worth. Make sure the auction site you work with guarantees the financial legitimacy of their bidders. Will the winning bidder pay in advance? You should also be ready to inquire after the logistical legitimacy of a bidder. Are they qualified to remove the equipment? Are they properly insured? With proper vetting, these sales can work well, but they require a close eye.

Platforms

Some of the concerns with auction sites overlap with platforms. The challenge, again, is that you don’t know who’s buying, or if they have the funds, floor protection, dollies, and insurance to remove the system safely. Still, the possibility of a platform sell working out with thorough vetting carries over too.

Trade-Ins

This is the easiest way to liquidate your equipment. The downtime is minimized because the OEM coordinates the removal of the old and the install of the new for you. The caveat in this case is that you’ll likely leave some money on the table. However, if you have the budgetary latitude to buy new in the first place, this may not be an issue.

Resellers

The vast majority of systems being sold used go through a reseller like Block Imaging. This is primarily because few hospitals want to manage the risk of selling, delivering, installing, and possibly refurbishing an imaging system. Not all resellers deliver  equal results, however. Here are a few tips to consider if you look into doing business with a reseller:

1. Avoid “brokers” who aren’t willing to outlay their own money. Even if they’re great people, they’re still dependent on someone else’s money to hit their account before they purchase. This should only happen for very high dollar transactions.

2. Get a deposit early, unless you have a standing relationship and trust. If someone makes you an offer, they should be willing to fund a deposit within 24 hours of acceptance.

3. Have the system inspected in advance. There should be no last-minute surprises and the removal path for the system should be agreed upon.

The nice part of working with a reseller is that you talk with and work with a human. There’s a higher level of customer service and more flexibility if you work with the right company. A quality reseller will know the right questions to ask, what adds value and what detracts. They can also arrange a professional system removal.

The Takeaway

The options we've covered here aren't the only ones. Some sellers opt to donate, scrap, consign, or sell directly to another facility, but most will choose one of the categories above for a balance of price, ease, and logistical coverage they're comfortable with.

If choosing a reseller is on your short list of considerations, we would love the opportunity to discuss any equipment you’re replacing in the coming weeks, months, or years. Our team can give you a ballpark valuation, or dive deeper with you for a firm quote, depending on your needs. Click on the banner below to drop us a line and discuss your next imaging equipment sale.