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Your office is organized. Your staff is professional. Now it's time to invest in some new medical equipment. A quick search online and you are blasted with hundreds of choices and options. You are about to go into overload...YIKES!
It's not like it was years ago when your supplier stopped in every month to restock your bandages and scalpels. With the Internet, you can order a $20,000 piece of equipment from a supplier without talking on the phone or golfing with a rep. The following questions pop into your head as you surf, email, call and analyze dozens of options for your next piece of medical equipment.
Who is trustworthy?What are your expectations?How do you determine absolute value?When will it arrive?Etc.Before you buy another device, review the questions below. You many not have all the answers from the first person you call or email, but you will be armed with a unique set of tools to week out companies you shouldn't do business with.
Certainly, price will be an important factor, but don't stop there. Value, delivery, reputation and a host of other considerations will determine if your medical buying experience is a good one.
1. Pricing: What model and manufacturer do you like? What is the manufacturer's reputation? How do you know they provide a good quality product? Have you purchased from them before?
2. Type of Supplier: Some company's will be classified as distributors, others wholesalers or retailers. The type of operation they run will not only determine the price you pay for your medical equipment, but the availability and speed with which you receive your product. Does your supplier ship from their warehouse or someone else's?
3. Ease of Buying: After spending some time online, you will notice clear differences between easy to navigate websites and cumbersome ones. How easy is it to find what you need on a particular site? Is registration required before you look or before you purchase? Do you have to register at all? Do they have terms?
4. Guarantee: What is the return policy? Does the distributor offer a warranty? Is there a money-back guarantee on part or all of the order if you are not satisfied? What are the conditions? Do you need an RMA number?
5. Inventory: A well-stocked company should be able to offer a large supply of products. What does it mean to you if they are "out of stock?" Can you go elsewhere? Can you wait? Knowing the availability is critical.
6. Market: What is the difference between value and price? Most people tend to shop for price first, and then ask about the warranty, reputation and other qualities of a product. The challenge is, if price is looked at first, a high price may dissuade you from uncovering the true value of the product. Focus on the quality, features and benefits before zeroing in on price. If the quality or reputation isn't there, the price won't matter because you won't be buying.
7. Customers Are Your Best Salespeople: Referrals may not be overly popular in the medical equipment industry. However, when customer service isn't simply good, but exceptional, people tend to share their experience with others. Does your supplier return voicemails promptly? Do they answer their phone? Is live chat or email support available?
Lee Joseph is one of the Medical Equipment Pros with the best pricing in the industry. You can purchase all types of equipment including an EKG from their website MedicalEquipmentPros.com.