What to Check Before Buying Pre-Owned Scientific Equipment from Akribis Scientific Supplies

Akribis Scientific Supplies Ltd is a UK-based supplier (established 2003) of new and pre-owned laboratory and scientific equipment, selling to individuals, companies, and academic institutions worldwide. Before buying, confirm four things: the exact condition and included accessories of the specific unit, whether the listed GBP price covers shipping and any import duties, the return/after-sales terms, and compatibility of the model with your application. The site lists products with prices and "Add to Cart" / "Add to Compare" functions, but the homepage excerpt does not state condition grades, warranty terms, or shipping costs — so these must be confirmed directly with the team before ordering.

What the site itself tells you

The homepage positions Akribis around "Quality, Affordable, New & Pre-Loved" equipment and mentions a "complete worldwide logistics service." Product listings show model names, brief descriptions, and prices in GBP, for example:

Each item has "Add to Cart" and "Add to Compare" buttons, and a cart page exists at /checkout/cart/. What the homepage does not show: condition grading (e.g., "refurbished," "used — good"), whether accessories shown are included, test/calibration status, warranty length, or shipping charges.

Condition and completeness — ask before you pay

Because listings are short, treat the title as a starting point, not a specification. For each unit, confirm in writing:

• Operational status: has it been powered on and functionally tested? Ask for the test performed (e.g., a GC run, a pump flow check).
• Included accessories: for the Trace GC Ultra bundle, is the autosampler, column, and software included? For Masterflex drives, which pump head and footswitch ship with the unit?
• Cosmetic and wear items: seals, tubing, lamps, and electrodes are common wear parts — ask whether they are original, replaced, or missing.
• Service history: prior use environment (academic, industrial, clinical) and any known faults.

A practical example: two Masterflex listings differ by £180 (£1,575 vs £1,395) because one includes a footswitch and a different head. Confirm exactly which configuration you are buying before comparing prices.

Price, shipping, and duties

Prices are shown in GBP. The homepage advertises worldwide logistics, but the excerpt does not state whether listed prices include shipping, insurance, or export documentation. For international buyers, budget separately for:

• Freight and crating (large items like GC systems and water baths)
• Import duties/VAT in your country
• Any calibration or certification required on arrival

Ask for a delivered-price quote rather than assuming the cart total is final.

Using the site's comparison and cart tools

"Add to Compare" is useful for shortlisting similar items (e.g., the two BioTek ELx405 washers at £550 and £575, or the several BUCHI condenser assemblies all at £250). Compare on part number, included components, and condition notes — not price alone, since near-identical prices can hide different configurations.

Questions to send the team before ordering

1. What is the condition grade and test status of this specific unit?
2. Which accessories, cables, software, and manuals are included?
3. What is the warranty or return policy?
4. What is the total delivered cost to my address, including freight and any duties?
5. Can you confirm compatibility with my application (e.g., plate format for the ELx405, flow range for the Masterflex drive)?

The site invites direct contact for "informed and effective buying and selling decisions," so a written quote answering these points is the safest basis for purchase — especially for higher-value items like the £2,750 GC system.