Furniture, in particular, are built to withstand heavy use and handling: Well-made pieces can be expected to “last a lifetime, long after they’re resold the first or second time,” the article noted.
Even business owners agree that furniture for a restaurant, an office or hotel is “almost always appropriate to buy used.” Aside from the significant savings–estimated to range between 50% and 75%–old fixtures can either be refurbished or be used as vintage pieces to add character to a place.
While neighborhoood garage sales indeed offer a treasure trove of used goods, experts suggest transacting with established companies that deal specifically with secondhand assets. These shops often stock up on several units of the same item, which collectively cost less than buying them in bulk from a retail store.
OfficeBusters, a chain dealer of surplus office furniture and equipment from Japan, has assured its clients of durable goods from its product line.
Richard Yabut, OfficeBusters Philippines general manager, said Japanese steel furniture manufacturers are mandated by its home government to follow the Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS), which requires that office furniture be hardy enough to last at least 15 years. Outlined specifications include the thickness of steel components, screws, including the paint used–a formula that, says Mr. Yabut, comes from the Japanese precept that the office environment can affect employees’ creativity at work.
“Because our products are between 0 to three years old, we can expect them to last for at least 10 more years. Used office furniture can actually outlast brand new items of lesser quality,” said Mr. Yabut.
Secondhand office equipment do cost significantly less at OfficeBusters, which typically sells items at a mere 3% to 10% of the original or catalogue price. “A brand-new Itoki sidewagon, which averages at P30,000, will have a selling price of P1,800 to P2,500 per piece, depending on its condition. In some cases, we do go beyond that pricing range but never more than 20% of the original price,” said Mr. Yabut.
Office chairs and lateral cabinets move fast at the shop, as well as laptops, sidewagons and desks, but large-sized tables, paper shredders, and projectors are not as well-patronized. “There is a strong demand for surplus office equipment here in the Philippines because businesses are always looking for ways to cut down on costs,” he said.
Secondhand items might also appeal to firms looking to boost their green credentials. “Manufacturing one new steel desk produces 70 kilos of carbon dioxide. But if a company buys a used steel desk, the CO2 production is zero. That practice meets stricter environmental laws in the near future and will strengthen their brand image,” said Kotaro Adachi of OfficeBusters Japan, a consultant of the local franchise.
But equipment sold at low prices do require closer inspection. “Low quality imitations–whether plastic, metal or fabric–may look like a high-end piece at first glance but it is only by actually sitting on it, tapping it, and running your hands through it that you can tell the difference,” Mr. Yabut advised, naming the likes of Steelcase, Herman Miller, Okamura, Itoki, and Plus as his picks for sturdy brands.
Officebusters on BusinessWorld Online
Second options
Settling for second best doesn’t always mean getting the poorer end of a bargain. A recent article published on Yahoo! Finance cites that it could be wiser to buy certain items, like books, home accents, furniture and sports equipment, second-hand. Resold at a fraction of their original retail price, such used goods are often in a condition decent enough to be passed on to another owner.
Even business owners agree that furniture for a restaurant, an office or hotel is “almost always appropriate to buy used.” Aside from the significant savings–estimated to range between 50% and 75%–old fixtures can either be refurbished or be used as vintage pieces to add character to a place.
While neighborhoood garage sales indeed offer a treasure trove of used goods, experts suggest transacting with established companies that deal specifically with secondhand assets. These shops often stock up on several units of the same item, which collectively cost less than buying them in bulk from a retail store.
OfficeBusters, a chain dealer of surplus office furniture and equipment from Japan, has assured its clients of durable goods from its product line.
Richard Yabut, OfficeBusters Philippines general manager, said Japanese steel furniture manufacturers are mandated by its home government to follow the Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS), which requires that office furniture be hardy enough to last at least 15 years. Outlined specifications include the thickness of steel components, screws, including the paint used–a formula that, says Mr. Yabut, comes from the Japanese precept that the office environment can affect employees’ creativity at work.
“Because our products are between 0 to three years old, we can expect them to last for at least 10 more years. Used office furniture can actually outlast brand new items of lesser quality,” said Mr. Yabut.
Secondhand office equipment do cost significantly less at OfficeBusters, which typically sells items at a mere 3% to 10% of the original or catalogue price. “A brand-new Itoki sidewagon, which averages at P30,000, will have a selling price of P1,800 to P2,500 per piece, depending on its condition. In some cases, we do go beyond that pricing range but never more than 20% of the original price,” said Mr. Yabut.
Office chairs and lateral cabinets move fast at the shop, as well as laptops, sidewagons and desks, but large-sized tables, paper shredders, and projectors are not as well-patronized. “There is a strong demand for surplus office equipment here in the Philippines because businesses are always looking for ways to cut down on costs,” he said.
Secondhand items might also appeal to firms looking to boost their green credentials. “Manufacturing one new steel desk produces 70 kilos of carbon dioxide. But if a company buys a used steel desk, the CO2 production is zero. That practice meets stricter environmental laws in the near future and will strengthen their brand image,” said Kotaro Adachi of OfficeBusters Japan, a consultant of the local franchise.
But equipment sold at low prices do require closer inspection. “Low quality imitations–whether plastic, metal or fabric–may look like a high-end piece at first glance but it is only by actually sitting on it, tapping it, and running your hands through it that you can tell the difference,” Mr. Yabut advised, naming the likes of Steelcase, Herman Miller, Okamura, Itoki, and Plus as his picks for sturdy brands.