Understanding the Secondary Hardware Market

The secondary hardware market is alluring to lots of companies for an obvious reason: it can help them save loads of money on IT hardware. In many cases, used HP Proliant hardware such as used HP UX servers are offered at a discount of at least 25 percent off the original price. The same goes for other big name brands such as Dell and IBM. Yet, in spite of the cost savings, the thought of buying pre-owned hardware often causes a feeling of trepidation. Companies do not know exactly what to expect from a used product, often because they lack a good understanding of the secondary hardware market.
Professionals Versus Amateurs
The first thing businesses need to know about the secondary hardware market is that it contains of two types of sellers: professionals and amateurs. Similarly, the secondary market contains two basic groups of products: those that are sold as-is, and those that are reconditioned prior to being resold. As one would expect, amateur sellers typically lack the expertise to recondition IT equipment, while professional sellers have facilities that are exclusively dedicated to the reconditioning process. Reconditioning consists of the following measures:

• Replacing old and worn components
• Replacing parts that have a bad reputation
• Cleaning the interior and exterior of the equipment
• Correcting aesthetic problems
• Testing the equipment

A properly reconditioned server is essentially a used piece of equipment that performs like new. As a testament to this fact, most sellers offer the type of warranty for reconditioned that you would find with new equipment. In some cases, used HP Proliant hardware such as used HP UX servers and other models are offered with a lifetime warranty.
Identifying Professional Sellers
Amateur hardware sellers often sound well informed, for they often possess a decent amount of IT knowledge. However, there are certain things that clearly separate amateur sellers from professional ones. The latter have the following characteristics that the former do not:

• Employ IT technicians who recondition and service IT equipment
• Offer a warranty on reconditioned hardware
• Have a physical business location
• Have an extensive hardware inventory that is worth millions
• Have an official business website the lists the inventory

Most professional sellers are also registered with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and may be belong to associations that deal with reconditioned IT equipment. Before you buy from a seller, inquire about whether it possesses the characteristics above. You should also check the seller's record at the BBB to see if it has any unresolved customer complaints.
Conclusion
Purchasing used HP Proliant hardware such as used HP UX servers can seem risky to first-time buyers of pre-owned hardware, but buying from a reputable seller who performs reconditioning - and investigating the seller's reputation -can take the anxiety out of the purchase. Buying pre-owned hardware is a cost saving opportunity that does not require the buyer to compromise on equipment quality. For more information about buying used hardware and evaluating sellers, contact an IT consultant, or a professional seller of pre-owned IT equipment today.

Avnet Remarketing Solutions:
Focused on reducing customer costs and minimizing their risk, Avnet Remarketing
Data Center Hardware: Avnet Remarketing Solutions has over $100 Million in hardware inventory, including used HP ux servers deliverable anywhere within 24 hours. As an independent supplier, we provide multi-generational hardware from all major OEM's, such as used HP Proliant with a cost savings of up to 70%. We are also ISO 9001 certified to ensure the highest standards of quality.
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