Be Careful When Purchasing Used Office Furniture
Whether you're just starting a business or you have an established company, purchasing used office furniture is a good way to help preserve your bottom line.
But just as you would exercise caution when purchasing a pre-owned vehicle, there are some steps that you need to take in order to make sure you are truly getting a good deal.
Used office furniture comes in many shapes, styles, and types.
You may be looking for desks, chairs, cabinets, dividers, or even a sofa or two for your lobby.
The vast majority of the retailers who sell these kinds of furnishings are above-board and completely honest.
However, there are others who may take shortcuts, or try to cover up problems just to make as much money as they can.
By knowing what to look for before you make your purchase, you reduce the chances that the furnishings you by are unstable or even pose a potential risk for injury.
Watch Out for Recalled or Decaying Furnishings There are several websites you can visit to find out if the brand you are buying has been recalled due to safety or other concerns.
You'll also need to inspect each piece closely to make sure there are no signs of decay, such as split wood, water damage, or problems associated with parasites.
The Nose Knows This may seem awkward to do, but it is also important that you make sure the furnishings don't have any sort of foul odors.
They may have been stored in a damp environment and have a musty smell.
This could be a sign that it has accumulated mold, which can lead to a wide range of respiratory problems.
If you notice an unpleasant smell, you need to decide if a little fresh air will help get rid of it or there is a deeper problem that means you need to look elsewhere.
Safety First One of the most important considerations when buying any sort of used office furniture is the safety of you and your employees.
Even if furnishings aren't on a recall list that doesn't mean they're automatically safe.
Look at all of the supporting areas on chairs to make sure they won't collapse when someone sits on them.
Make sure that all of these areas have all necessary screws and aren't rusted.
Appearance isn't Everything Just because a piece of office furniture may not look great, that doesn't mean it's not a good value.
There are many pieces that can be easily and inexpensively recovered if need be.
By using just a little bit of caution, you could wind up with a great deal of value in the used office furniture that you purchase.
But just as you would exercise caution when purchasing a pre-owned vehicle, there are some steps that you need to take in order to make sure you are truly getting a good deal.
Used office furniture comes in many shapes, styles, and types.
You may be looking for desks, chairs, cabinets, dividers, or even a sofa or two for your lobby.
The vast majority of the retailers who sell these kinds of furnishings are above-board and completely honest.
However, there are others who may take shortcuts, or try to cover up problems just to make as much money as they can.
By knowing what to look for before you make your purchase, you reduce the chances that the furnishings you by are unstable or even pose a potential risk for injury.
Watch Out for Recalled or Decaying Furnishings There are several websites you can visit to find out if the brand you are buying has been recalled due to safety or other concerns.
You'll also need to inspect each piece closely to make sure there are no signs of decay, such as split wood, water damage, or problems associated with parasites.
The Nose Knows This may seem awkward to do, but it is also important that you make sure the furnishings don't have any sort of foul odors.
They may have been stored in a damp environment and have a musty smell.
This could be a sign that it has accumulated mold, which can lead to a wide range of respiratory problems.
If you notice an unpleasant smell, you need to decide if a little fresh air will help get rid of it or there is a deeper problem that means you need to look elsewhere.
Safety First One of the most important considerations when buying any sort of used office furniture is the safety of you and your employees.
Even if furnishings aren't on a recall list that doesn't mean they're automatically safe.
Look at all of the supporting areas on chairs to make sure they won't collapse when someone sits on them.
Make sure that all of these areas have all necessary screws and aren't rusted.
Appearance isn't Everything Just because a piece of office furniture may not look great, that doesn't mean it's not a good value.
There are many pieces that can be easily and inexpensively recovered if need be.
By using just a little bit of caution, you could wind up with a great deal of value in the used office furniture that you purchase.
