The pros and cons of buying new, used, and reconditioned tables: Part II

As a chiropractor, your adjusting table is your practice’s most important piece of equipment. The table is the centerpiece of your profession: It allows you to successfully treat patients, complements and enhances your technical skills, and safeguards clients and yourself from accidents and injury. However, such importance and versatility come at a cost, as adjusting tables are also one of the most expensive investments for DCs.

For both of these reasons, you should carefully consider your choices when buying a chiropractic table.

In a perfect world, all DCs would be able to afford the latest, high-tech table designs, but with some modern tables costing more than $10,000, this isn’t the reality we’re faced with. In cases where new tables are unaffordable, used and reconditioned tables can be great options. That said, new tables offer advantages you just can’t get when buying used or reconditioned equipment, and because the table is such an important asset to your practice, it can sometimes be wise to pay more to ensure top quality.

Because we’re all living and working under such different circumstances, the table that makes the most sense for you—whether new, used, or reconditioned—really depends on your own personal situation. Given this, it’s extremely helpful to know as much as you can about the advantages and disadvantages of buying each type of table. 

To help you learn more about buying new, used, and reconditioned tables, this series of articles will examine the pros and cons of each type of table. Armed with this information, hopefully your table purchase will be made a little clearer, easier, and inexpensive. This article will cover the purchase of a new table.

The most obvious advantage to buying new is that you’re getting brand new equipment. All of the parts and upholstery will be in perfect condition with no wear. You can be sure that there are no hidden problems with the table’s mechanics, and no issues due to a lack of maintenance.

 

New tables come with the best warranty options. New tables typically come with warranties that run between one and five years, whereas warranties on used and reconditioned tables typically run between one month and one year, if they offer warranties at all. 

When you buy new, you’re getting the latest technological features and advances. Table technology is rapidly evolving, not only in table mechanics, but also in ergonomics and safety. By purchasing a new table, you’re ensured to get the most advanced technology possible.

New tables also come with the best financing options. Although limited financing is sometimes available on reconditioned tables, you’ll find that nearly all dealers selling new tables will offer a multitude of ways to pay for your table. 

Buying new provides you with the best selection of table designs and eliminates the need to search around for what you want. You won’t have to wait for a particular design to show up in the classifieds or at a clearinghouse—you can simply request it from a dealer when you’re ready to buy.

 

The primary disadvantage to buying new tables versus used or reconditioned ones is the cost. The purchase price of used and reconditioned tables is typically 40- to 60- percent less than that of new tables.

 

Today’s top chiropractic tables are designed to last nearly 10 years, so you’ll find many used and reconditioned tables that are less than three years old, will have nearly the same quality of new tables, without the high cost. 

New tables typically depreciate 30 to 40 percent in the first couple of years after purchase. With such depreciation, the financial disadvantage of new tables is compounded over the first three to five years you own the equipment.

Check back next time to read the pros and cons of buying a used table. 

 

Chris Towery is the former associate editor of MASSAGE Magazine and is currently a full-time freelance journalist. He has written hundreds of articles for more than 20 different magazines, newspapers, and custom publishers. Much of his recent writing has been for the complementary and alternative healthcare industry. To contact Chris, email cmreuben@yahoo.com.