Ten Questions That You Need to Ask the Vendor When Buying used Cisco device

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So you are running on a thin budget and need to purchase new equipment. Using refurbished Cisco equipment makes sense when you want to save money and be smart.

But you will be made aware that not all used Cisco hardware are created equal. Some are tested and certified quality equipment while others are reliable and potentially counterfeit.

As a customer, how do you tell the difference? Look at your vendor. There are several vendors who buy used Cisco equipment from brokers, then turn around and sell it at a profit to end-users claiming it’s refurbished. There are risks when you buy Cisco networking equipment from unauthorized dealers. What sets reputable vendors apart is that they are dealing in quality products from Cisco, which implies that you get only standard products.

Here are ten questions you should when you are out to buy Cisco hardware offerings from a reseller:

1. Have the products been thoroughly tested?

The first step any reseller should do is test the hardware after they have acquired it. There are several levels of testing they can use, but ideally, we want the vendor to put their Cisco product through the same rigor as its new products. How thorough are their processes? Since we are talking of networking equipment, we require diagnostic testing? One might even ask if they re-create a live network environment when testing? Do they reset configurations when testing? You may also order Cisco phones. These phones should go through thorough tests to ensure all their features are working. The phone should be clean and not be such that only calls be placed or received when the customer tries it.

We expect the seller to spend a bit of time and effort testing the Cisco equipment before they proceed to sell it to you. Otherwise, how can you be sure that the device you are being sold will actually work?

2. Does the seller offer a warranty to back his products?

A warranty is one kind of assurance and tells you exactly what a vendor thinks of their product. If you get a warranty, you can believe that the vendor is providing quality used Cisco hardware, else they won’t back it with a decent warranty. Be picky. Search for vendors that offer at least a years’ worth in warranties. It is possible to sometimes get a true lifetime warranty. That way you will have the peace of mind that comes with an assured product even if it is refurbished Cisco equipment.

3. What reliability rating do they attach to their Cisco hardware?

If they have in place a thorough and stringent process to test the device, they should be sure of its reliability. As a buyer, you should attempt to buy products that carry a reliability rating well over 99%. Refurbished Cisco equipment should not have a failure rate any more than 0.5%. If your vendor can’t provide a solid reliability rating for the product he sells, he probably can’t guarantee that the product he sold is of quality and will function as intended.

4. Do they have counterfeit abatement processes?

There are risks associated with using refurbished products. It is widely known that counterfeit Cisco products are available in the market. Make inquiries that your vendor didn’t buy their used Cisco equipment from online auction sites, where fake parts and products are frequently traded. Plus, the people that are employed to test the Cisco hardware need to be trained to spot, and test for, fake products. If your vendor hasn’t put in place a counterfeit abatement process, you’re taking a huge chance by buying his products.

5. Do they utilize electrostatic discharge prevention methods?

Electrostatic discharge (ESD) is a phenomenon that gives you a little shock you get when someone’s fingers accidently brushes against yours on a winter morning while you are wearing furry leather jackets. But these small shocks are of immense importance when it comes to your refurbished Cisco hardware. ESD hazards abound in a testing facility too. Just a 100-volt discharge is sufficient to damage highly sensitive electronic components, but listens: a human can’t detect an ESD spark unless its at least 3,000 volts. Hence, it is crucial that vendors employ electrostatic discharge prevention methods to safeguard equipment. If they don’t, there is a risk that the Cisco switch you’re planning to buy may get damaged.

6. Do they have a testing center?

In order to provide you fully tested refurbished products of original quality, the vendor needs to have a testing facility. That is where he would accomplish the highly technical testing procedures. Ask about their testing locations. Are they conducting tests in a tiny office, or, worse still, someone’s living room? Locations like this don’t make the cut. A larger testing facility that is equipped to perform the live testing of networks we use in real time is what we are looking for. Do they also have a warehouse where they hold some inventory, which implies that you’ll probably get your Cisco hardware quicker?

7. How do they ship their product?

How would you pack a piece of pricey art? When a vendor ships his product, you will know how he values his product by the way he packages it. Same goes with your Cisco hardware reseller. If they take pride in their top-notch product, they should package it well using foam-in-place packaging on those Cisco routers and switches. The boxes for each phone should be separate and hold it in place with stabilizing the plastic film. If they pack things the way we do when we simply don’t care, it’s probably a pretty good clue that you aren’t getting something of good quality. After all, it’s only good if it arrives at your workplace in good condition in a pretty box safe and sound.

8. Has an accredited third party endorsed their quality management process?

Pretty often resellers make claims that they can’t back up. Tall claims such as they perform this kind of testing, and use this method of checking refurbished goods. Such claims aren’t difficult to make. But getting an endorsement from a third party with credentials unless they’ve proved their worth. Look for a reseller with a quality management system that is certified by an accredited third party source like ISO. If they can boast of ISO certification, then you can be sure that you’re dealing with someone who is committed to providing quality equipment.

9. Do they offer a hardware replacement program?

One of the negatives of purchasing used Cisco equipment is that the product doesn’t come with SMARTnet. However, if you choose a reputable Cisco product reseller, they may perhaps offer their own hardware replacement program and stand behind their products. If they do, it is possible to buy quality hardware from a reputed company like Cisco at a great price, in addition to a replacement program that is sometimes 50% lesser than SMARTnet. And you can still get the advantage of next business day advance replacement. That’s the plus of buying refurbished from the right place!

10. Do they track their Cisco equipment with unique barcodes for each unit?

So you’ve bought your refurbished Cisco router or switch or the VoIP Cisco phone from your chosen vendor. Now, what? Is the deal over? What if things go wrong tomorrow? How will you track that Cisco switch or router back to the seller? Or are you just on your own now? That doesn’t spell assurance. Look for a reseller that assigns a unique barcode to each product they sell. That way you can track the equipment even post-sale. That way you’ll know for certain that they take accountability and stand behind their product and the deal they’ve made with you.

Ten questions to decide who’s the best from the rest

You probably need it for your new office. You have taken a smart decision by choosing to purchase used Cisco hardware for your office network. But before you proceed, ask these ten questions, and you’ll ensure you have the right vendor to buy that refurbished Cisco equipment. You’ll end up with fewer issues and a better experience. With the right vendor comes the reliability, and best value for your budget.

With the right vendor comes the reliability, and best value for your budget.

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