Setting up a new office, moving, expanding or simply wanting to make over an existing space?

In these situations, sometimes our requirements, our wishlist and our budgets don’t quite match and we’re tempted to consider used office furniture rather than new.

We know we’ll have to sacrifice some style perhaps, but the savings make it an attractive option. Or do they?

If you’ve been thinking that used office furniture is your best option because of budget constraints, there are a few things you should consider before making that final purchasing decision.

1. There are great quality, well designed new office systems available at prices that compare very favorably with used furniture.
2. Used furniture offers 3 distinct options – all of which carry inherent risks. What you see is not necessarily what you get.

Let’s take a quick look at your used furniture options which fall into 3 main categories:

• Used
• Refurbished
• Remanufactured

Used Office Furniture:
Workstations come to you in the same condition that they left their previous owner, complete with all the wear and tear they’ve received since being manufactured. If you’re not looking for matching, aesthetically pleasing furniture, this may be suitable.

Refurbished Office Furniture:
Some basic spot cleaning and touch-up is done, but essentially work surfaces and electrical components remain unchanged.

Remanufactured Office Furniture:
The furniture is spruced up with a new coat of paint, new work surfaces, new fabric and electrical components UL listed or re-listed.

The upside of choosing one of the used furniture options is, of course, price.

The downsides are:

1. You have to choose from available inventory, the aesthetics of which may not enhance your corporate image
2. In the used and refurbished options, electrical components may not comply with the electrical code in your area, causing additional, unexpected costs. Work surfaces may have some warping.
3. Connections and fitting may be less secure, compromising stability
4. The furniture is essentially used and will therefore have a shorter useful life than it did when new
5. Warranties vary but rarely match those offered on new furniture
6. All used furniture options are likely to be less environmentally responsible than new furniture which has been manufactured to comply with specific environmental standards
7. No tax advantages

Having said all that, if budget is your primary concern, what would you say if we told you that you could avoid all the risks and downsides associated with buying used office furniture by buying new at prices just as low, if not lower?

Plus, there’s the consideration that new office furniture carries some tax advantages such as accelerated depreciation. Not to mention high design and great warranties.

Now that you know that used furniture is not your only option, why not call one of our consultants who will be able to provide you with more detail on affordable and attractive new office systems that fit your budget and your style?