Circuits Assembly Online Magazine - Agilent Offers Purchasing Programs for Pre-Owned Test Instruments

Agilent Technologies Inc. (Palo Alto, CA) has introduced a comprehensive purchasing approach for pre-owned test instruments. Agilent CertiPrime and Agilent Advantage Assurance are two programs that provide low-cost and low-risk options for purchasing pre-owned test equipment.

Bill Highstreet, vice president and general manager of Agilent's Financial Solutions Unit, said, "Previously, customers had to choose between purchasing new test equipment from Agilent or refurbished, as-is equipment of unknown quality from a third party. Now customers have multiple options to purchase high-quality, pre-owned Agilent test instruments with total confidence."

In the more comprehensive of the two programs, CertiPrime units are fully remanufactured by Agilent to Agilent standards. In addition, the equipment undergoes the same production-quality calibration as new units and it includes the latest compatible software and firmware updates. The instruments typically are demonstration and off-lease units less than three years old and represent the most popular models and configurations of Agilent's current test equipment.

The fully remanufactured products are ordered directly from Agilent and ship within five days of receipt of order. The products carry the same warranty as new instruments and the same 60-day return policy as new products. Free technical support is offered during the warranty period. The test equipment is expected to be available in volume starting in April 2004. Prices are reduced 30 to 50% from list prices.

The Advantage Assurance program consists of pre-owned instruments purchased through an approved channel partner. Instruments purchased through the program have been fully calibrated and come with one year of protection against all repair costs, along with one year of free technical support. The program is initially available through eBay.

Under the terms of the program, an eBay seller may ship a pre-owned instrument to Agilent, where it receives an initial evaluation and then is fully calibrated by Agilent technicians. Once Agilent determines the unit meets its specifications, the seller is allowed to post the unit for sale on the eBay Web site. At the end of the listing duration, the instrument is shipped directly from Agilent to the winning bidder within 24 hours. Buyers are fully insured against all repair costs for 12 months. Also, should the instrument require repair during the first 12 months, it will receive a free calibration to ensure it meets all published specifications.

The program is expected to be extended to additional U.S. channel partners by April 2004, and to channel partners in Europe and Asia Pacific later in 2004.

For more information, visit: www.agilent.com/find/used.

www.agilent.com