Office & Study Items | Home & Garden Classifieds

There are several ways in which to buy office and study furniture:
As "flat-pack" units.
As ready-made boxed units.
As custom-made products.

Flat-pack and ready-made furniture is considerably cheaper than custom-made, and can be purchased quickly and easily from many different companies. Custom-made furniture involves not only the cost of the materials, but also planning and manufacturing. As the items are not mass-produced, the construction of each unit is normally very expensive. For a small business or home office, custom-made furniture is generally an extravagance. The only exception might be a custom-made piece to fit an awkward space, or a business wanting distinctive matching furniture to convey a professional look to their office.

Buying Office and Study Equipment, Fittings and Consumables
Office equipment, supplies and consumables are available from a large range of dedicated companies. Many items are also available from specialist retailers, giving a wider choice and prices that are more competitive. Don't limit yourself to office related shops, as you can find better deals elsewhere. With long-term equipment, it is essential to make sure that you are getting the right features for the cost. A cheap computer may look like a good deal, but if won't do all you need it to, obviously a more expensive model is better value.

REFURBISHED EQUIPMENT
Refurbished products have been returned with cosmetic damage or a fault, which has been corrected. They are available from retail stores, who sell large number of items, and use refurbished bargains to clear those few that have been returned and repaired.

Advantages :

Cost
The equipment is not technically new, so is sold at much lower prices than the new equivalent. Refurbished discounts can range from 10%, to as much as 50%, depending on condition and age.

Guaranteed
Refurbished products are cheaper than new products, but still come with the same full guarantee as the new product. This means that you can save significant amounts of money, without risking losing it faulty product

Effectively New
Refurbished goods are not sold as new, but are effectively new products. They will not normally have undergone the same amount of use as a second hand equivalent. This means there is less wear and tear on the unit, and even if a fault exists, it is covered by the guarantee.

Disadvantages

Cosmetics
Refurbished goods have been previously used, so they can often have minor cosmetic damage. While this will not affect the use of the product, it makes it look less attractive. This can be a drawback if clients are in the office, since shabby looking equipment creates an unprofessional image.

Missing Items
Some refurbished items are missing accessories (e.g. assembly instructions or connecting cables). This is only a problem if the product is unusable without whatever is missing, or replacing the missing part(s) is more than the discount. Refurbished goods offer equivalent prices to second hand, but for a guaranteed, almost new product. If looking to furnish a new office on a tight budget, then refurbished goods may be exactly right.

SECOND HAND EQUIPMENT
Not typically considered as a way of buying office or study equipment, but there can be substantial savings in buying second hand.

Second hand equipment is most commonly available from three locations:

1. Business Sellers
Businesses may have purchased a product that they no longer need. They can normally be found in classified newspaper adverts. The product can be viewed, but in the event of problems, you have no comeback with the seller. Prices are usually low, depending on the product, its age and the seller's honesty.

2. Shops
There are many second hand shops, buying goods cheaply and selling them on with a profit. In a shop, you will be able to view the item and possibly test it. In the event of a problem, you will be able to take it back, although you will not have a full guarantee. Prices on shop sales are higher than buying from individuals. However, you get peace of mind in the event of a problem.

3. Auctions
Auctions can be the cheapest, but also riskiest, way of buying. Careful bidding can bring in products for far below their actual value, you have no way of knowing whether the description is correct. Many auctions sell goods "as seen, which means with faulty goods, you have no chance of getting your money back. Online auctions are similar, except the goods cannot be viewed (apart from a possible picture). You cannot be sure of the item's quality until paying for it. However, most auction sites do provide cover if falsely described goods are sold. Always find out your rights for claiming money back on faulty goods. Auctions are a useful source of bargains, but exercise caution to avoid paying too much, or buying faulty goods.

Advantages

Price
Second hand products offer great savings over the standard new retail price. You may have to search to find an appropriate item at the best price and condition, but second hand items are normally much better value than their new equivalent.

Availability
If a piece of your equipment breaks, and is a discontinued line, there are problems if you have to change models. However, by buying second hand, you may still be able to replace it. For example, if you have 2000 worth of toner and spares for your discontinued photocopier, buying second hand is probably the only way you will get hold of the same model, saving you 2000 of otherwise wasted supplies.

Disadvantages

No Guarantee
As they have been owned previously, usually a second hand product is not under guarantee unless bought from a shop, which offers one with the sale. In the event of problems, repair costs will have to be paid.

Higher Risk
Riskier than buying a new product, since the product is not always as described. There may be an underlying fault that is not apparent on inspection.

If a product is faulty, you should be able to get your money back from a shop. However, although by law the goods must be as described and fit for their purpose, it will be almost impossible to recover money from an individual.

Cosmetics
As with refurbished furniture and fittings, cosmetic damage may detract from the item's appearance.