Sometimes it seems as if technology is changing at the speed of light. Blink just once, and suddenly that cutting edge device of yours seems like a clunky relict. Though most small businesses owners may not be hanging on to every advance the tech world has to offer, many still need to be sure that the electronic equipment they have on hand is up to date.
But this poses a challenge especially to those small businesses that are currently struggling with lackluster sales and are seeking ways to keep costs to a minimum. How can a small company get the upgraded equipment it needs without breaking the bank? Fortunately, there are several options out there that are suitable for all kinds of businesses- from the company that needs the latest and greatest devices to the one that seeks to upgrade its equipment every 2 years or so:
1. Enroll in a buyback program. Many big-box retailers of electronic devices offer buy-back programs to their customers. Typically, you will be required to pay an upfront fee to enroll in the program and will receive either in-store credit or cash for your device- the amount of which is based on the age of the item and its condition. Many consumer groups, however, are not so supportive of these kinds of programs because they are often set up in a way that brings little value to the consumer. But some small businesses may still benefit- especially if they plan on upgrading their equipment every six months to a year and cannot not afford the time a resources needed to unload the used equipment via other venues.
2. List the equipment in online auctions or classifieds. For those small business owners looking to get a better value for their used equipment, they can list their items on sites such as eBay or Craigslist. If the equipment is in relatively good condition then you can probably expect to get a good price for it. Small business owners should keep in the mind, however, the time it will take to list the item and follow up on it, as well as how comfortable they are with having the buyer physically come to pick up the equipment.
3. Use a service that buys and sells second-hand equipment. There are also a number of companies that buy and sell second-hand electronic devices, such as BuyMyTronics.com ,YouRenew.com, and Gazelle.com. Most of these sites offer a relatively decent price for your equipment, and they also take care of the shipping, which is a big plus.
4. Go for an equipment lease. Instead of buying your electronic devices, it may make more sense to lease the equipment in your small business and then trade-in these devices for an upgrade when the term of the lease comes to an end. Like the first option, this may be a good choice for businesses that need to have the most cutting edge equipment- especially if the business owners and management are not tech savvy enough to know when it is appropriate to go for an upgrade in the first place.
Bottom line: If you are looking for ways to keep the equipment in your small business current, you have a few options that won’t break the bank or your budget.