Every business needs a powerful, reliable network. Unfortunately, building and maintaining it can be expensive. If you take the time to search for ways to save money on your network, one thing you\u2019ll find is the mention of preowned and refurbished hardware. They often save some money, but are they really worth it? You might be comfortable buying a preowned vehicle, but networking equipment is another beast altogether.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re not sure where to go, then you\u2019re in the right place. We can spend a few minutes talking about preowned networking equipment so you can make more informed choices moving forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The very word \u201cpreowned\u201d can trigger a few different responses. It might make you worry about warranties or faults in the equipment. You might think about equipment age and whether or not it\u2019s dated. For some, there\u2019s even a stigma attached to the word.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While those responses are common and natural, there is in fact a place for preowned equipment in professional networks. In fact, there\u2019s a whole industry for it, and when you honestly consider the pros and cons and what you\u2019re really choosing with preowned, the knee-jerk responses fade, and you\u2019re left with an informed, reliable choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, let\u2019s talk about the pros. Why do so many professional networks use refurbished and preowned hardware?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first answer is by far the most compelling. Preowned hardware typically comes at a reduced price. Of course, the exact savings you can get going this route will vary, but you can expect to pay less money for a preowned device as compared to the exact same model that hasn\u2019t been refurbished or previously owned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The money saved is not trivial, either. When you strategically use preowned equipment to save as much money as you reasonably can, that frees up room in the budget that can make your network more reliable, more futureproof, or better supported by other things you can buy for the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Money isn\u2019t the only advantage, though. Preowned equipment also provides value in network planning and design. When you stick with previously owned models, you\u2019re getting known quantities from your products. Compare a high-end, preowned switch to the latest model that just hit stores this month. The newer model might be advertised with higher specifications, but it hasn\u2019t seen much use. You don\u2019t know if it has unexpected drawbacks, and that uncertainty is a serious risk \u2014 especially for large business networks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In that same line of thinking, preowned can also offer availability advantages. In a world where supply chain disruptions can show up out of the blue and last for indeterminate periods, preowned models might be more widely available, allowing you to shop on your own timeline instead of waiting for manufacturers to catch up after a significant disruption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And, in case it\u2019s still on your mind, preowned and refurbished devices typically come with excellent warranties and guarantees. Cisco, Meraki, Aruba, HPE, and other major brands all refurbish switches and other equipment, and they warranty their own work. In these cases, buying preowned is the same experience as buying new.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Still, this discussion isn\u2019t complete if we don\u2019t talk about the drawbacks of buying refurbished technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first is actually warranties. Sometimes, you\u2019ll get great refurbished warranties, but that isn\u2019t always the case. Check the labels because sometimes the refurbished warranty is significantly shorter than when you buy new.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another issue is availability. Yeah, you just read that preowned is more available, and now it\u2019s less available? The contextualized explanation is that preowned markets are not static. Sometimes you\u2019ll be able to find everything you want in a preowned model, and sometimes you won\u2019t. It\u2019s a strength and a weakness. The real takeaway is that when you remember to check preowned, you have a larger total pool to shop from, and that gives you more options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The last major con is equipment age. Even if the hardware is warrantied and reliable, if it has already been owned, it\u2019s often not the newest and latest model available. In the world of technology, that does tend to shorten a device\u2019s total lifespan. You have to worry a little more about preowned equipment becoming dated and\/or obsolete. With a little strategy, you can work around this, but it\u2019s one of the primary concerns attached to buying refurbished goods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Considering the pros and cons, let\u2019s revisit the concept. Should you use preowned equipment in your network?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Naturally, the right answer depends on you and your situation. There is no universal answer, but for the vast majority of networks, there are preowned devices that would work great and provide you with a net benefit. It\u2019s definitely worth browsing preowned options, even if you don\u2019t always choose the refurbished model.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Additional Learning Center Resources<\/p>\n\n\n\n