The global medical devices market was valued at $495.46 billion in 2022. There are thousands of medical centers and practices buying devices, tools, and equipment every day.
But these items are not cheap. So if medical practices make a mistake when buying equipment, it can cost them a fortune. Luckily, there are ways to avoid this.
Keep reading to learn about five common medical equipment buying mistakes and how to avoid them.
1. Not Using Specialized Suppliers
Medical equipment is something you should only buy from a registered medical equipment supplier. If a supplier is not specializing in medical equipment, it’s best to avoid them.
This is because there are specific needs for medical devices and equipment. General suppliers don’t have the same expertise about these devices or the industry. Specialized suppliers make the purchasing process much smoother.
You can look into the legitimacy of a supplier by reading online reviews from other customers. Look who their key customers are, and what experiences they had with their purchases.
2. Not Checking Used Equipment
Buying used equipment is a great way to save money for your practice. But used equipment might have problems, so to avoid being stuck with something you can’t use, you need to make sure why it’s being sold in the first place.
When it comes to new vs. used equipment, you need to weigh up how much money you’re going to invest into your used equipment. If the equipment will need to be replaced in a few years, or some parts need to be replaced, then it might be cheaper to buy a new machine.
But if the used equipment is perfect except for one faulty part, there’s a good chance it’s cheaper to get that machine and buy the replacement part. Click here to learn more about anesthesia machine parts.
3. Disregarding Customer Care
If something goes wrong and the company doesn’t have any customer care, you’ll end up losing money.
You want to ensure you’re purchasing from a company with good customer care policies. This way, if anything goes wrong, you have some way to find a solution that will work for you.
4. Buying Too Much
Some buyers get caught up in a sale. Buying equipment in bulk only makes sense if you need that equipment in bulk.
Make sure you know exactly what your needs are before you start shopping.
5. Not Shopping Around
Buyers who don’t shop around end up losing money because they’re not getting the best deals. Shopping around means comparing equipment costs from different suppliers and buying from the one offering the best deal.
Always leave yourself enough time to shop around, and never buy the first deal you see just because it looks good. If you’re concerned you’ll miss out if you shop around, ask suppliers to put items on hold for you.
Avoid These Medical Equipment Buying Mistakes
Now that you know about these medical equipment buying mistakes, you can make sure to avoid them. This will benefit your medical practice and keep your patients happy and healthy.
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