Choosing Between Buying New Vs Used Office Furniture

Buying office furniture is a cost of being in business. When faced with purchasing new vs used office furniture such as desks, chairs, tables, cabinets, etc., make sure to use strategic thinking to make decisions. Money isn’t the only benchmark that determines the value of a purchase.

Other key considerations include how furniture reflects the company brand in addition to how it supports the staff in getting the job done. Do a cost-benefit analysis of buying new versus used by laying out key parameters.

Money

Let’s face it. Managing cash flow is critical for business success so the idea of buying used furniture at prices much lower than new is tempting. Money can be spent on other, more important things like bonuses or marketing to promote goods and services.

But wait. It’s important to define new and used.

The cost of new quality office furniture isn’t that much greater than used quality office furniture. New is backed by warranties while used comes under the warning of “what you see is what you get.”

New office furniture products like chairs and shelving that are found in the Big Box retail outlets may actually cost less than used furniture that’s made with care by a reputable manufacturer. The reason is that Big Box items are made for a limited life.

Plus, new furniture may have innovations that the old doesn’t, such as seats that adjust to a person’s weight and movements.

Functionality

Purchasing new office furniture can make it easy to plan work spaces with pieces that are clearly related and fit together, a benefit for employees who work in collaboration with each other. Buying used doesn’t lend itself to an enhanced design.

Workstations can be put together in logical fashion with new furniture and height-adjustable desks properly selected.

Productivity and Employee Health

New furniture is designed to enhance productivity. A chair is not just a chair. Ergonomic chairs, and workstations that place a computer at a proper eye level reduce the strain on the neck and shoulder muscles.

Which staff may be susceptible to bad backs or already have aches and pains? An inexpensive office chair that’s picked up for forty or fifty dollars could aggravate the situation and lead to missed time at the office.

Brand

Buying new can enhance a company’s brand both internally and to customers. It shows a commitment to excellence and can foster a positive attitude, while buying used furniture can look put together one piece at a time and display a “reactive” approach versus a “proactive” approach.

The decision truly does go beyond merely comparing the price tags of buying new vs used office furniture.  Understanding what’s behind a lower price tag is key. Less money may be spent on the purchase, but there are no real benefits while leading to other, unseen costs.

Determine your needs, browse the product categories, and invite 2010 Office Furniture to share their experience of more than 40 years, selecting furniture that enhance the office experience for major corporations and start-ups throughout Southern California.

Read Also: Plan Your Office Branding for the Employee Experience
Main Photo: Stylex Free Address 2.0 Open Office
Resources & Special Thanks to Respective Product Manufacturers: Stylex