Benefits of Purchasing Used Breathalyzers.

The benefits of purchasing used breathalyzers over new instruments are great, regardless of the industry you’re in. As an example, the current random alcohol testing rates are 10%, and with over 12 million truck drivers alone there is decent money to be made in the alcohol testing business.  This is why more and more urgent care, walk-in clinics and even chiropractors are expanding their services to include DOT alcohol testing. But as you evaluate breath alcohol instruments or breathalyzers, “return on investment” or ROI should be an important factor in the purchase decision. Let me pause to say that that statement does not suggest make your purchase based on price alone.  In fact, I counter that statement with my belief that in most cases you get what you pay for and that lower price doesn’t necessarily translate into better value.

Many small start-ups are not able to project the volume of testing they will do. Without knowing what kind of business to expect, purchasing a used breathalyzer allows new start-ups or smaller organizations to get into the market faster without the large investment.

What About Quality?

Purchasing a used breathalyzer is a little like buying a used car. Reputable dealerships ensure the vehicle is thoroughly inspected, cleaned and bad parts replaced before offering it up for resale. The consumer understands they are getting a vehicle that may not have all the bells and whistles of a new vehicle, but at a much lower costs. Fortunately for consumers, evidential quality breathalyzers allow for accuracy checks, which is a leading indicator that the instrument is accurate and reliable.

The highest quality breathalyzers are built to last. We know from experience that there are Alco-Sensor devices that have been in the field for more than 15 years. If you purchase a 5-year old instrument, than it’s a safe bet that that instrument will last another 10 years or longer.

Selecting a Used Breathalyzer

There are careful considerations in selecting the right breathalyzer for your testing program. Selecting reliable technology and established brands are important factors because not all breathalyzers work the same. Fuel cell sensor technology is the best and the only one accepted for workplace testing. Other considerations, such as longevity in business typically are a solid indicator that the company has exceptional “service after the sale” attitudes and programs. Personally, I heavily advocate for technology and products manufactured in the United States, which is typically another hallmark to reliability.

As a start-up or small service agent with a limited alcohol testing client base it is imperative to keep your investment as low as possible so that you realize a faster ROI. By selecting a used breathalyzer you can get the premium, reliable technology you want and need for much less.

How to Buy a Used Breathalyzer

A premium used breathalyzer should last for more than 5 years, provided the proper maintenance checks and system updates were conducted prior to the sale.  A reliable distributor will have put the instrument through a thorough inspection, replacing the fuel cell if necessary, cleaning and replacing internal components and updating the software, for example.  As you evaluate a used breathalyzer, make sure you ask the distributor about their inspection and refurbishing process, as well their warranty and return policy.

Purchasing a used breathalyzer will allow you to get your business going with much less capital outlay and with a faster ROI.  Once your alcohol testing program numbers have grown, we recommend trading in the instrument for credit towards the purchase of a new instrument. Selecting a company that not only sells used breathalyzers but will accept trade-ins for new instruments, will give your business more leverage and keeps your costs down.

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