Whether you are a teacher in front of a chemistry class or a researcher in your own lab, you know that lab equipment is expensive. Having the supplies you need when you need them is crucial, but pricy. According to a study conducted for the Laboratory Products Association, the US revenue for lab supplies in 2010 equaled about $1.4 billion. Not only do the labs have to purchase bigger pieces, such as microscopes, autoclaves, centrifuges, ovens, water baths, and other expensive pieces, they have to buy sterile equipment that is used more frequently, and so needs to be replaced more frequently, such as plastic beakers and funnels, slides, spatulas, knives, and more. While these may seem inexpensive, costs do add up quickly. Whether you're looking for graduated cylinders and flasks or a new lab coat, finding the supplies is not the challenge. Finding them affordably is.
What Do You Need? - Have you ever gone into a store without a clear idea of what you want? This is the perfect opportunity for you to overspend. When you know what you want, you have a much better shot at sticking to your budget. You can also prioritize based on what you need most and what will be used most frequently. Maybe you can't afford an entire lab of new science supplies; but maybe you can afford one new piece of expensive equipment, supplemented by used pieces. In any case, make a list of what you need.
After you have your list, it's time for some research. This time, you won't be researching in the lab but on the computer. Look at various vendors for quotes. You can look at new science lab equipment, but also make sure to check for auctions and used equipment as well. Some of the big scientific supply companies have special lab start-up programs. You can get discounts on equipment and consumables at a discount. VWR and Thermo Fisher are two of the manufacturers that offer this incentive.
As mentioned, the big initial cost of the major pieces of equipment sometimes makes the everyday consumable seem cheap. But the cost of your lab glassware, gloves, pipette tips, tubes, slides, and other glassware adds up. Dr. Kimberly A. Huey of the University of Illinois recommends that one should expect to pay about $1000 a month in consumables. Plan on this, and make sure to comparison shop for the best prices.
One area where you can save money is your lab basics. If you need refrigerators, microwaves, office chairs, and other basics, check out discount or box stores. Why not? A chair is a chair, whether it comes from Walmart or a laboratory supply store. Guess who will have lower prices?
Where to Buy Lab Supplies and Equipment - If you have to outfit a lab, you might want to start by looking for "gently" used lab equipment. This can cut the cost dramatically. When a new piece of lab equipment is purchased, it is typically used for a few years before it becomes obsolete and a newer, shinier model is brought out. The old one either gets stripped for its metal content or reconditioned and resold through a vendor or at auction. What can this save you? Lab equipment on the secondary market (which just means it's used) can cost half the price of new equipment. A new VMR Scientific Product Waterbath Model# 1225, for instance, costs about $500. You can find a used one on eBay for around $175.
You can start at the same site you may already use to shop for electronics, books, or other consumer items: eBay. There is a wide selection of used lab equipment that can save you a lot of money while providing you with the quality you need. eBay has a helpful guide to buying this equipment (http://reviews.ebay.com/How-to-buy-used-laboratory-equipment-on-ebay_W0QQugidZ10000000005829947). One great tip: look for vendors that provide a lot of specific information regarding the make, model, and any changes or repairs they have made. The more detail, the better. It is also important to practice the usual eBay caution, such as checking feedback from any vendor and contacting them with any questions.
Other Sources for Used Lab Equipment - BioTech.About recommends the following companies if you are looking for quality used lab supplies:
*BioDirect
*Lab Trader
*American Laboratory Trading
*Ace Lab Systems
*Lab Recyclers, Inc.
*Sci-bay
Always look for good warranties, and it is helpful if the vendor has some sort of association with the original manufacturer. RECOMMENDED - We suggest shopping online at Amazon.com - their brands selection, low prices, and customer reviews are second to none. You can browse the best selling lab equipment online here.
Should You Rent Laboratory Equipment?:
Renting your lab supplies may be a great way to save money. Some companies give you a trial during which you can rent a piece (say a month). You can use it while you decide if it is right for you. If not, you don't have an expensive item to unload or replace. If you do like it, you have the option to purchase it. You can also rent equipment for long-term projects, which may be beneficial if you are completing a project and won't need that particular item again - or until you win yourself a major research grant and don't have to worry about this anymore. Many of the major manufacturers offer rentals or leases. Cole-Parmer, for instance, offers financing. You need to contact the particular company for a quote, but most of the time, you can do this with an online form.
Lab Equipment Resources - Running a lab is work enough; trying to get all the equipment to keep it running can seem like an even tougher proposition. It is essential to avail yourself of resources in the scientific community. This can include becoming buddies with the person in the lab down the hall so you can borrow his equipment from time to time (it helps if this person isn't working on the same type of research - no one wants to help the competition!), knowing about shared resources in academic or industrial settings (these are typically available for all associated researchers to use), and establishing a good relationship with your equipment supplier. Here are some other resources that can help:
*LaboratoryEquipment.com. This is a helpful site full of information. One of particular use is the Directory tab. This lists companies that specialize in different types of laboratory equipment. You can find a list and contact information. You can also check the ones you are interested in and send for more information.
*Section179.org (http://www.section179.org/section_179_deduction.html). This is a tax law you want to know about; it allows businesses that purchase or finance equipment to claim a tax deduction. This can be substantial, so if you are buying or financing, find out more about Section 179. And keep receipts!
*Grants. Many governmental agencies and private foundations offer grant money to researchers. The National Science Foundation, for instance, funds the Major Research Instrumentation Program to help researchers obtain equipment that is otherwise unattainable. Awards range from $100,000 to $4 million. Competition for these grants is, as you'd expect, fierce, so it pays to apply and then scour the internet for more opportunities. There are also field-specific grants, such as those for equipment related to energy research. Become adept at applying for grants. The University of California, Berkeley has a listing of instrument grants (http://www.spo.berkeley.edu/Fund/equipment.html#NIH), and you can find others online..
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