With rising business costs, buying second hand equipment is often considered a cheap way to start a new business.

But what happens when the used equipment fails to meet standards? The potential accidents can have long-term costs that out-weigh the initial savings. So what is the cash-conscious business owner to do?

Buy Used!

Yes, it is still a preferred way of getting the required equipment. While buying a used tractor or forklift can be tricky, buying used pallet racks, bins, and shelving is more straightforward. With no obvious, visible dents or dings, you can be sure that the used shelves are almost as good as new ones.

Used shelving is often as a result of a liquidation of stores. Therefore, these shelves have mostly been used indoors and are usually structurally sound.

Apart from the obvious benefit of being cheaper to obtain, pre-owned pallet racking also:

1.  It allows you to mix and match, thereby creating a custom racking system. Your available space may not be able to accommodate a 40 foot drive-in pallet racking system, or maybe you just don’t need that size. By buying a racking ‘piece-meal’, you can mix and match. e.g. pallet racking for heavy stuff, some long-span racking for smaller, lighter boxes and light shelving for even smaller components.

2. Buying second hand works out cheaper, if you don’t mind the previous paint. In a bid to offload racking, liquidators have been known to slash their initial asking prices.

3. Depending on your requirements, (length, height, and width of beams), you can buy different sizes of shelving from different sources. Liquidators, stores going out of business, and hobbyists, are all potential sellers.

4. They allow experimentation with different floor layouts. If your business is new and you carry a broad range of products, using pre-owned racking will allow you to work efficiently without a heavy initial outlay. It’s also easier to add-on with minimal cost.

5. Liquidators can throw in accessories and extras such as safety supports and mesh decking to close the deal. This allows you to get a complete racking system at a relatively bargain price.

Now that you want to buy used, take a look at this checklist to get the best type of pre-owned racking:

1. Buy from only trusted suppliers with a physical location. It’s also wise to find out who the original manufacturer is; this can help when choosing replacement parts and add-ons.

2. Inspect for signs of physical degradation which can occur if racking is stored outside. One way is to do the “tap test”. Hit the middle of the beam with a hammer and listen. If you hear a “ping”, there is no rust inside the beams. If you hear a “thud”, there is an accumulation of rust, and the beam isn’t worth buying.

3. No matter how used the racking may look, check for the sign or label that shows it’s maximum indicated load.

Making the most of your warehouse space by maximising work space, is one way to increase profits. Yet this must be balanced with a reasonable outlay. Buying new equipment is advisable, for certain items, but for other items, you can get durable and usable equipment for a fraction of the price.

Monarch Shelving are a trusted supplier of shelving in the North West.

We stock new, refurbished, and pre-owned racking systems. Contact us today for more tips on how to get the most out of your warehouse space.