Used and refurbished lab equipment reseller
Buy, test and resell used centrifuges, microscopes and other lab instruments at lower prices.
- $5k-25k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Estimates for a small start in the US, not guarantees.
Official data
2,392 US businesses with employees in this field, -1.1% in a year
NAICS 423490 “Other professional equipment and supplies merchant wholesalers”. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023.
What it is
You source used lab equipment from closing labs, universities and auctions, clean and test it, and resell it with a short warranty. Work happens in a small unit, garage or workshop with space for storage and testing.
Your first three steps
- Pick one or two equipment types you can learn to test well, such as microscopes or centrifuges
- Watch university surplus sales and online auctions for a few weeks to learn typical prices
- Buy one or two units, test and clean them, and list them on eBay or a lab equipment marketplace
Who pays
Startups, school and college labs, small testing labs and research groups with tight budgets.
How it makes money
You resell equipment for more than you paid plus refurbishing costs. Some sellers add paid services such as calibration checks, basic repairs or sourcing requests.
Skills that help
- Spotting good equipment deals
- Basic electrical and mechanical testing
- Online listing and photography
- Negotiating with buyers and sellers
Watch out for
- Check your local zoning and lease rules before storing and shipping equipment from a home or garage
- Equipment from biological or chemical labs may need proper decontamination; ask for documentation
- Offer clear warranty and return terms and say honestly what has and hasn't been tested
- Check your state's seller's permit and sales tax rules
- Insurance for stock, shipping damage and general liability
- Stock can take months to sell, so watch your cash
Deep research report · US
Everything you need to start: used and refurbished lab equipment reseller
Researched with live web search for United States: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a used lab equipment business?
Startup costs are typically around $5,000 to $25,000, depending on the equipment you buy, your storage and testing space, and how you list and ship items. These are estimates, and stock can take months to sell.
How much can a refurbished lab equipment reseller earn?
Monthly revenue is typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on what you stock and how quickly it sells. The estimate starts at about 20 hours a week. Watch your cash, since stock can take months to sell.
What should I check before reselling used lab equipment?
Check local zoning and lease rules before storing and shipping equipment from a home or garage. Equipment from biological or chemical labs may need proper decontamination, so ask for documentation. Also check your state's seller's permit and sales tax rules, and insurance for stock, shipping and liability.
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Photo: jarmoluk on Pixabay