Just like when it comes to buying a car, there are two basic options when it comes to purchasing an ultrasound system – new or used. Let’s compare the benefits of each. Of course a brand new system is going to give you the latest technology and most advanced features, but just like with buying a new car, that usually means a higher price. That’s not to say that you shouldn’t buy a new ultrasound machine, but it makes good business sense to compare a new machine with some of the pre-owned and refurbished ultrasound machines on the market.
Unlike cars, which are virtually impossible to restore to new condition after they have been driving just a few months, used ultrasound machines can be refurbished to perform exactly as a new machine would. If you get a pre-owned ultrasound machine from a reputable dealer, then you can be assured that it has been thoroughly tested and inspected to meet the original manufacturer’s specifications. That’s an important factor to consider in your comparison and it is generally worth paying a little more to buy from an established used ultrasound dealer as opposed to buying from a company that doesn’t specialize in these complex machines.
If you do plan on buying a new machine, then make sure you check out the prices for similar pre-owned ultrasound systems manufactured by that same company so that you’ll have an idea of its value down the road if you decide to ever sell it and upgrade. And make sure you ask yourself if you really need all the newest features of this year’s model – if a model that is a few years old can perform the same applications for thousands of dollars less, then that can be a smart investment. Those are just a few things to look at when comparing ultrasound machines.
