Oxygen concentrators don’t come cheap, so many people consider purchasing a used unit instead of buying new. This can save you a few hundred dollars, but is the lower price worth the risk of purchasing a used concentrator? Read on to learn the pros and cons of buying a pre-owned oxygen concentrator!
Pros
The first and most significant draw of a used oxygen concentrator is the lowered price. Even with smaller price tags, these units can still cost a pretty penny, but saving a few hundred dollars is nothing to sneeze at. Another pro is that as long as you’re purchasing a concentrator from a reputable seller, you can buy without worrying that your unit will stop working within a week.
Testing
Refurbished devices undergo rigorous testing, so you know you’re getting a high-quality product. Depending on the unit you choose, you may be able to score a “used” unit that is simply a device that someone returned. This is a new unit for all intents and purposes, but since someone opened the box, the retailer cannot refer to it as “new.”
How “Used” Is “Used?”
If a unit does not list the duration of use on the sale page, reach out to the seller to see if they have this information. A “used” unit that was switched on for one hour is a better deal than one that someone used for a few months before returning.
Finally, many reputable sellers will offer warranties on pre-owned portable oxygen concentrators. That allows you to make a purchase and feel that you don’t need to worry about the quality for quite some time.
Cons
First and foremost, not all pre-owned oxygen concentrator resellers are reputable. While you can feel safe purchasing from Bridge To Care, you’ll want to do a little more research before buying from a stranger on the Internet.
Warranty Trickery
Additionally, you should look closely at the warranty. A three-year warranty on the concentrator, a one-year warranty on the battery, and a 90-day warranty on accessories are standard. If the agreement covers significantly shorter time frames than these, the reseller is probably trying to hide something about the concentrator’s quality.
Now that you know the pros and cons of buying a pre-owned oxygen concentrator, do what’s best for you, both medically and financially. If you can’t afford a brand-new unit, we have rigorously tested pre-owned concentrators available now on our website!