Commonly Asked Questions About Buying on the Secondary Market

Buying hardware on the secondary market can seem intimidating. It can be difficult to find the solution you need or even to know if that solution exists. Finding where to start can be a task unto itself. Knowing the right questions to ask when researching businesses you can trust and the types of equipment you need saves time and effort. Below are some common questions businesses face when buying on the secondary market.

One of the hardest parts of any project is getting started. If you have no experience buying on the secondary market, knowing where to begin can feel intimidating. If you do not already have a relationship with a used hardware vendor, it takes some research to find a reputable one.

To ensure quality when seeking a used hardware vendor, look for ones that have been recognized by well-known names in the industry. Recognition for good work by well-respected organizations indicates that the vendor is committed to delivering quality equipment to their customers. Organizations like Gartner issue annual reports in which top vendors are recognized. CRN releases lists multiple times a year to recognize rising names in the industry. Trade publications like InformationWeek and Network World often invite experts (employed at various vendors) to weigh in on relevant topics in weekly articles. These organizations help vet vendors so you can be sure that you know what you’re getting.

The secondary market is bigger than you think. Often, those who have not purchased on the secondary market think that the only hardware sold there is old or irrelevant. Worse, they believe that it runs the risk of being junk or counterfeit. In fact, much of the hardware on the secondary market is under warranty and qualifies for OEM maintenance.

You can find almost anything on the secondary market, from equipment new-in-box, to spare parts, to equipment 15 years out of date that you still run. Often equipment only a year or two old finds its way to the secondary market through overbuying, cancelled projects, mergers and acquisitions, consolidation, or simply being surplus at the end of the year. Secondary market vendors not only have a large collection of in-house stock, they have a wide network to locate anything they don’t have. Simply put, finding equipment on the secondary market isn’t as hard as it seems.

Once you find a vendor and your equipment, the next step is getting it where you need it. If you have international offices, finding a vendor with a licensed customs broker ensures that you will get your equipment where and when you need it without hassle. While anyone can send a package internationally, doing so improperly risks lengthy delays, CBP penalties, and potential seizures. These problems can be avoided by using a reseller with an in-house licensed customs broker who can file entries into the U.S. directly, determine duty rate classifications, and provide product certifications. These brokers also enable vendors to source equipment worldwide—vastly expanding their marketplace to keep availability high and pricing competitive.

Some resellers offer to configure and install equipment, even going so far as to remove and wipe old equipment. Many will offer IT asset disposition (ITAD) solutions with a profit-sharing plan which allows clients to recover part of the funds spent on the new equipment. In this way, the right vendor is a one-stop-shop for finding, shipping, installing, and removing equipment.

As a global leader in the secondary IT hardware market for more than 15 years, CentricsIT provides top-tier products to companies seeking to avoid OEM lead times and hardware surcharges. Recognized by Gartner as a leading solutions provider for cost optimization, we help clients around the world improve efficiency and reduce wasteful IT spending by providing a strategic alternative to buying hardware from OEMs. Our expertise spans across all major manufacturers, and our commitment to innovation and efficiency is what sets us apart, because at CentricsIT, we see IT differently.