Used Racking Buyers Guide

One of the biggest issues facing new business owners is the cost of purchasing and maintaining storage space for their products. The financial outlay involved with investing in new racking systems can quickly spirals into the thousands, and when you take into consideration all of the other costs involved in setting up a business it can quickly become a problem to manage.

Investing in used racking systems can provide a viable solution that helps bring the cost down quite significantly. However, buying used equipment means extra attention has to be paid to certain aspects of the purchasing procedure to ensure you are getting a system of high quality. Starting a new business using the latest and most expensive racking does not always make sense and you can still secure great storage by looking at alternative options.

To help you get the best possible deal we have put together a guide to buying used racking so you can avoid making costly mistakes and find the right equipment to suit your business.

Part 1 | Key Questions to Ask When Buying Second Hand Racking

There are a number of important areas of consideration to take into account when you are shopping around for used racking. If you're in any doubt we would always recommend that you consult your local storage specialist. Here are some of the key areas you will need to cover:

One of the first – and most important – questions to ask when looking to buy used racking is regarding the condition of the equipment. This will definitely mean taking a look at the racking before you spend any money.

Photographs and images can always make sub-par racking look great online with use of selective photos, angles and good lighting. The system will be supporting the products being sold to your customers and you need to ensure it is safe for your staff to interact with.

If you are not an expert in racking equipment, then bring along someone who has more knowledge so they can conduct the relevant checks. The equipment should be examined in detail for any signs of damage. This includes any rust, bending or warping that may be occurring. If anything like this is noticed then the racking system is probably not in good enough condition for long term use.

Racking can be dangerous. If you're in any doubt, consult your nearest storage specialist.

Sometimes the difference between something that is ‘used’ and ‘refurbished’ can be confused as meaning the same thing. It is important to note that there is a big difference between the two and this has to be taken into account when you are not searching for a brand new racking system.

Used racking means it is ready to be sold as-is, meaning no work has been done to the system in order to make it ready for use once again. As long as the right checks have been conducted this means used racking can be used right away and is ideal for installation long term.

On the other hand, refurbished racking means the equipment has been restored to a condition that enables it to be used again. This often means repairs and replacements have taken place to remove existing issues so it can be purchased and used safely. Before spending any money, check the equipment is used, rather than refurbished.

Used racking should be sold with existing documentation to show its history and prove it was purchased from a trustworthy source. This should highlight the uniform distributed load (UDL) for the system so you know how much weight can be safely stored on each section of the racking.

If the racking has undergone any maintenance or repairs this should also be listed so you can understand the extent of the work carried out. This is vitally important to check as you do not want to invest in a used racking system that could collapse after installation and put the safety of your staff and health of your products at risk. Missing this could prove extremely costly in the long run.

Far too often mistakes are made in purchasing due to choosing the cheapest option. Finance is an important factor in any buying process, however, it should never be the deciding option if there is uncertainty about the suitability and durability of the racking system.

You should take your time to look at the used racking market to see what is on offer and carefully weigh up the pros and cons against each one. While you may initially save money you could end up paying a much larger cost down the line if the quality of the system fails to live up to expectation.

You should have a good idea of the type of racking you want to purchase along with size and capacity required. If this is not information you have gathered, you will need to go and find out about each one.

For anyone who is buying used racking for a new facility, then measurements of the storage spaces will be required, along with an idea of the type of products that will be stored on the racking. If you are purchasing used racking to replace an existing system due to expansion or an upgrade, you should already know this information.

This will allow you to quickly identify the cost of the proposed system so you can match potential purchases against your budget. Always check the used racking in person so you can ensure the specifications are correct before making an investment.

As with anything you purchase it pays to do some research on the company you are thinking of purchasing from. Whether it’s a holiday, car or anything else that costs a considerable amount of money, you need to know they are a business you can trust and the product you are buying will be of good quality.

The best place to start is to check the track record of the company. You may know other people who have used them, or might be able to find reviews from customers online. When you contact the company and begin discussing a purchase, ask them for referrals and examples of previous sales they have made.

The services they provide can also be a good indicator of their suitability. For example, if they do not provide refurbishing services this could be a red flag as it is normal for used racking suppliers to provide both options to their customers.

You can find a list of racking & shelving suppliers in our supplier directory

There is no uniform grading system used by every company selling used racking. This means what one company classes as B may be interpreted completely differently by another supplier. The way to avoid any confusion is to ask for a clear breakdown of what the individual supplier’s classification means. There should be no issue in providing you with this information and it ensures you are not confused and make a mistake when it comes to putting your money down.

When buying older racking systems you will not be able to get a manufacturer’s warranty as this is likely to have expired while under the ownership of the previous company. Rather than just planning for the short term and the benefits the racking will offer, you will need to consider the long term health of the system.

This means thinking about the availability of spare parts should they be required in the future. If you are unable to buy replacement parts for the system then it will quickly become unusable and force you back into the market to purchase a new one.

Before making a financial commitment check that the manufacturer is still in business and that spare parts can be sourced. Otherwise you will be relying solely on the word of the selling company and you will have no idea of how long the equipment will last. Even new racking systems will require replacements at some point, so you can be sure that used racking will need at least the same level of work down the line.