Businesses searching for used cubicles (also known as partitions, work stations, panel systems) are usually focused on saving money. Unfortunately, many of those “Pennies on the Dollar” deals advertised locally can have hidden costs that you may not notice until it’s too late.

Here are three free tips to consider before buying used cubicle product.

Number One: “Is the product still being manufactured?”
At some point you will need parts & pieces for your used product. Murphy’s Law will dictate that you will require additional panel connectors, trim pieces or electrical parts during your initial installation. Finding out that your product has been out of production for ten years will leave you scrambling for last-minute, expensive solutions. The time and anxiety you will spend fixing these unforeseen challenges will leave you frustrated and struggling to meet your office move-in date. (Tip: Make sure your product is still in production.)

Number Two: “Are you prepared to install the product yourself?”
Cubicles may look like a simple product when you see them completely built. In reality, they break up into hundreds of smaller parts and pieces. You may find yourself overwhelmed by the task of assembling the piles and piles of parts that get delivered to your new office space. Also, be aware that a small but significant percentage of parts may have been damaged during the tear-down process before you had your order delivered. Attempting to use these parts could lead to complications, a “rickety” assembly, and possibly an unsafe installation. (Tip: consider hiring a local office furniture installation company to install your furniture. Get a quite BEFORE you purchase the used product so that you have a better idea of your true costs.)

Number Three: “Why are these cubicles being sold at such a low price?”
You get what you pay for – and sometimes you pay to solve someone else’s problem! When buying product from a business that has gone bankrupt, for example, do some research. You may uncover that the landlord needs to remove the product from the space in order to lease to the next tenant. In this case, you may be able to negotiate the product at NO COST to you! The key here is to understand the cost associated with tearing down and removing the product. Offer to supply the man-power to remove the product and you just might get the cost-saving deal that you were searching for!

North Bay Office Furniture has over 25 years experience providing new and used office furniture in the Bay Area.