FAQ
Frequently asked questions.
Answers for buyers of refurbished equipment, and for universities and laboratories with surplus equipment to clear.
Buying equipment
What condition is the equipment in?
Most equipment is used or refurbished. Every listing describes the item's condition and what testing has been carried out, including any known faults. Where an item is sold for parts or is untested, the listing states this explicitly.
Is equipment tested before it is sold?
Yes. Equipment is cleaned, tested under load where practical and checked against expected performance before it is released for supply. Anything we cannot verify is described as untested rather than implied to be working.
Do your prices include GST?
Prices are GST-inclusive where Australian GST applies, and a tax invoice is provided with every purchase.
Do you ship internationally?
Yes. We have supplied equipment to buyers in 36 countries across six continents. Freight is quoted on request, and we can arrange shipping for large or heavy instruments.
How is fragile equipment packaged?
Sensitive instruments are packed in protective packaging designed for the specific item. For delicate equipment such as analytical balances and microscopes we design custom packaging to protect the instrument in transit.
How do I buy an item or make an offer?
Enquire directly through any equipment page on this website, or purchase through our eBay store. You can also submit an offer or request a freight quote from the item page.
Can you source a specific instrument for me?
Often, yes. We regularly recover comparable equipment. Tell us the make, model or capability you need and we will let you know when something suitable comes through.
Universities and laboratories
What does it cost to have equipment collected?
Nothing. Collection is provided at no cost to your department or institution, including handling and transport.
What equipment do you accept?
Laboratory and scientific equipment across microscopy, centrifuges, spectroscopy and analysis, chromatography and electrophoresis, PCR and molecular biology, lasers and optics, balances, vacuum and pumps, heating and cooling, liquid handling, test and measurement, and related categories. We also accept faulty, obsolete and manufacturer-unsupported equipment, because we repair in-house.
Where do you collect from?
Melbourne metropolitan and regional Victoria for collection. We supply equipment nationally and internationally.
How quickly can you collect?
Typically 7 to 14 days from initial enquiry to collection, depending on access requirements and the volume of equipment involved.
What happens to equipment that cannot be reused?
Equipment that cannot be safely repaired or reused is dismantled where practical to recover usable components. Remaining materials are sent through licensed e-waste and metal recycling pathways, minimising landfill.
Do we receive reporting on what happened to our equipment?
Yes. Outcome and diversion reporting is issued quarterly, showing what was collected and what happened to it. This is suitable for use in institutional sustainability and waste reporting.
Can our department receive a financial return?
Yes. Equipment can be sold on commission, with proceeds returned to your department, rather than being written off entirely.
Do you already work with universities?
Yes. We work with the University of Melbourne Reuse Team, and have completed collections from University of Melbourne and Monash University departments and laboratories, as well as private laboratories.
Have a question that isn't answered here? Get in touch and we will answer it directly.
Have surplus equipment to clear?
Tell us what you have and we will arrange assessment and collection. It costs you nothing and keeps working equipment out of landfill.