Share this“How can we purchase equipment on shrinking budgets?”
This question was sent in by a reader. We asked Jack Metterville, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for LABEX of MA, to offer some thoughts on this increasingly common situation for many facilities.
“Make a number of inquiries and don’t be afraid to ask for the best price.”
During September of 2009 many United States economists stated that the recession was bottoming out. However, two years later, housing sales are down, unemployment is still high; costs of food, electricity, heating, gas for automobiles, and other essential commodities are out of sight! How are you making ends meet at home? In most cases, your pay has not increased, your financial obligations are the same, but the costs to meet them are increasing. You are most likely scrutinizing your buying habits, prioritizing your needs, and generally watching your pennies carefully. There are things we just cannot do without so we need to budget very carefully for them.
Out of the home and into the research world things are no different. Costs are high and rising, there are pressures on employment and hiring, budgets are tight and in some cases shrinking. Expenditures are scrutinized but research does and must continue. As research continues how do we support such an endeavor? Research requires highly skilled and dedicated personnel as well as quality laboratory and vivarium equipment. So how can we purchase equipment on shrinking budgets? Like at home how do we scrutinize, prioritize, and watch our pennies?
With restrictive budgets, the very best way to economize on your necessary purchases is to plan properly. For the most part we are all project managers so start by making a carefully thought out purchase plan as early in the fiscal year as possible. Proverbs to keep in mind; Make a plan, work a plan; The more ridiculous the deadline, the more it costs to meet it; If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail; Projects don't all fail in the end, they fail at the beginning.
As early as possible identify the pieces of vivarium equipment which are the most essential to carry out your research. Determine that this equipment has been budgeted for and the likelihood of approval is high. Identify your exact wish list, to include the equipment type, their specifications, the numbers you require, and the time you need them to be delivered to your facility. Continue by identifying those vendors and suppliers that you have had good experiences within the past and those new ones you would like to consider. Compare quality, price, availability, and warranties of your purchases. Did you receive responses and proposals to meet up with our original purchase needs? If you did, you are good to go. Compare the scenarios, the vendors and your experiences with them and make your decision.
But what if you didn’t or couldn’t plan far in advance? As often is the case, even though you did not plan sufficiently ahead, the time frame for needing the equipment did not change. To complicate an already complicated situation, your budget for these necessary expenditures just got approved but at a reduced amount. All vendors and dealers of vivarium equipment are used to receiving this type of phone call. All equipment dealers have experienced client services departments and are available to assist you with your current situation. Just as you would have if you had more time, visit those companies you have had good experiences with in the past. Talk to friends and business partners about companies that they use. Network with your personal and professional contacts in National and District AALAS and associations such as LAMA. Check with your buyers guides as there may be reputable companies that you may not have considered or have known of previously. Consider that prices may vary considerably depending upon the equipment and the vendor. It could be the situation where an excess of inventory at a particular company could provide you with an attractive price. Make a number of inquiries and don’t be afraid to ask for the best price.