Building a warehouse for your company and setting it up to be functional can be expensive. Saving some money on things like used pallet racking or other fixtures for your warehouse is an excellent option, but there are some things to consider when buying used hardware.
Finding Used Hardware
One of the best places to find used hardware like used pallet racking is a warehouse liquidation auction or from a business that is shutting down. Buying the racks directly from the company may be possible, but if they are liquidating everything at auction, they may want to wait until the sale to get the best price.
If you are going to buy hardware at an auction, go early and inspect the pallet rack or other fixtures you are interested in. Racks that are bent or that have clear evidence of impacts from equipment might not be the best solution for your business. If, on the other hand, the racks are in excellent condition and only need a little paint, they could be a bargain, but that may also mean there will be a lot of bidding on them so set a price you can live with and do not pay more that than for them.
Also, keep in mind that if the racks are made by a large manufacturer, replacing a support or two with new parts may be as easy as calling and ordering the parts you need for your pallet racking. You may also want to find a contractor that works with pallet racking systems and have them come and look at what it will take to disassemble the racks and reinstall them in your warehouse after buying them.
That cost should also play a role in how much you spend on used pallet racking, no matter what condition it is in.
Other Equipment For Your Warehouse
Often when a company reaches the point that they are holding a warehouse liquidation, they will sell just about any equipment in the warehouse. You may be able to pick up pallet jacks, forklifts, or even pallet wrapping machines at liquidation for far less than if you bought them new.
Make sure you ask about the working condition of anything you are considering buying so that you don't end up with equipment you have to fix before you can use it. Sometimes the liquidated equipment has been heavily used, but if the price is right, you may be able to use it as starting equipment and replace it as your business grows.
