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What is Akribis Scientific Supplies Ltd?
Akribis Scientific Supplies Ltd is a UK-based supplier of new and pre-owned laboratory and scientific equipment, trading since 2003. Its catalogue mixes complete instruments with spare parts and accessories — for example gas chromatographs, microplate washers, rotary evaporator components, peristaltic pumps and hotplate stirrers — and it also offers worldwide logistics for both buying and selling.
Who it suits
- Academic labs and teaching departments equipping or repairing on a budget: the pre-owned stock and individual spare parts (condensers, flasks, clips, pump heads) are the practical draw.
- Small companies and start-ups that need a working instrument without a new-equipment purchase.
- Buyers sourcing discontinued or part-level items, where a specific component rather than a whole system is the requirement.
Trade-offs to weigh
Buying pre-owned means condition, service history and warranty terms matter more than the headline item name. Expect to confirm model variants, what is included (heads, footswitches, autosamplers are sometimes listed separately) and compatibility with your existing setup before ordering. New-equipment buyers wanting manufacturer warranty and installation support may find a specialist new-goods distributor a better fit.
Next step: if you are sourcing a specific instrument or part, list the exact model number and the accessories you already hold, then check the listing against that list — the site's parts-heavy inventory makes "what's in the box" the key question. For price benchmarking on new equivalents, compare against Thermo Fisher Scientific or Scientific Laboratory Supplies before deciding whether pre-owned is worthwhile.
How can I tell whether a used lab instrument like a Thermo Trace GC Ultra is worth buying versus a new one?
A used Thermo Trace GC Ultra is worth buying when the instrument's service history and verification results are documented, and when the saving outweighs the cost of bringing it to working condition. Buy new when you need warranty cover, validated performance records for regulated work, or a configuration that rarely appears on the secondhand market.
Questions to settle before comparing prices
- Condition evidence: ask for a service record, any error logs, and whether the unit was decommissioned working or for parts. A listing that names the model and accessories, as Akribis Scientific Supplies does for its Trace GC Ultra with TriPlus autosampler, is a starting point, not proof.
- What is included: autosampler, columns, injectors, detectors, software licence and PC. Missing software or a dead autosampler can erase much of the saving.
- Installation and qualification: a used system usually arrives without installation or performance verification, so budget for an engineer visit and, in regulated labs, an IQ/OQ run.
- Consumables and wear parts: lamps, seals, columns and detector parts have finite life. Ask when they were last replaced.
- Support and parts: confirm the vendor still services the model and that spares are available in your region.
- Your own acceptance test: run a known standard and check retention time repeatability, baseline noise and detector sensitivity before paying the balance.
How the two routes compare
| Criterion | Used (e.g. Trace GC Ultra) | New |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | Lower, but varies with condition | Highest |
| Warranty | Often short or none; check terms | Full manufacturer cover |
| Documentation for audits | Depends on prior records | Complete and traceable |
| Lead time | Usually immediate if in stock | Can be weeks or months |
| Risk | Condition and hidden faults | Low, but specification may exceed need |
Practical decision rule
If the instrument supports non-regulated teaching, method development or a backup role, and the seller allows an acceptance test or a return window, a used Trace GC Ultra with a documented history is a sound buy. If the work feeds accredited results, patient or product release decisions, or a method that must be transferred without revalidation effort, price a new system's warranty and qualification support into the comparison. The same logic applies to smaller items: a used Akribis Scientific Supplies hotplate stirrer at modest cost is low-risk, while a used microplate washer or pump head is only worth it if you can confirm it seals and runs correctly.
As a next step, request the service history and a short video or report of the unit running a standard, and ask in writing what happens if it fails your acceptance test.
What should I check on refurbished chromatography or rotary evaporator equipment before purchasing?
Check the item's service history and what is actually included, then verify the critical wear parts and compatibility before paying. On a used gas chromatograph, ask about the column, detector condition, autosampler consumables and any error logs; on a rotary evaporator, focus on the glassware, seals and motor. Because refurbished listings vary widely, treat the seller's description as a starting point and confirm details in writing.
For chromatography systems
- Configuration completeness: confirm whether the column, autosampler, injector liners, septa and software licence are included. A low headline price often excludes these.
- Wear and contamination: ask about detector cleanliness, lamp or filament hours where relevant, and whether the inlet was serviced.
- Leak and pressure test: request evidence that the system holds pressure and passes a leak check.
- Software and PC: older instruments may need specific operating systems or licences; confirm these are supplied or obtainable.
- Service records: error logs and maintenance history matter more than cosmetic condition.
For rotary evaporators
- Glassware: inspect for chips, star cracks and mismatched joints; replacement condensers and flasks can be costly.
- Seals and vacuum: ask whether the vapour duct seal and joints hold vacuum, and whether a pump is included.
- Motor and heating bath: confirm the rotation drive runs smoothly and the bath heats and holds temperature.
- Completeness: check for clips, receiving flasks, cold trap and condenser assembly.
Practical comparison
| Check | Chromatography | Rotary evaporator |
|---|---|---|
| Highest-risk part | Column, detector, autosampler | Glassware, seals, motor |
| Ask for | Leak test, error logs, software licence | Vacuum test, glassware photos, bath test |
| Common hidden cost | Consumables and columns | Replacement glass and seals |
A useful next step
Ask the seller for a short video of the instrument running under power, plus close-up photos of glassware and any error screens. For a concrete scenario: if you are equipping a teaching lab, a complete rotary evaporator with sound glassware is usually the better buy than a cheaper unit missing its condenser; if you are setting up trace analysis, insist on documented chromatography performance before committing. Specialist refurbishers such as Akribis list new and pre-loved laboratory equipment, and comparing several listings side by side helps you judge what a complete setup should include.
Does Akribis offer international shipping and logistics for scientific equipment?
Yes. Akribis presents itself as a supplier of new and pre-owned laboratory and scientific equipment with a complete worldwide logistics service, and it says it serves individuals, companies and academic institutions across many countries. In practical terms, that means a buyer outside the UK can ask for the equipment to be shipped internationally, but the site does not spell out destinations, carriers, duties or delivery times, so those details need confirming per order.
What this means for different buyers
- Academic labs and companies replacing a single instrument: the main benefit is access to used equipment that may be scarce locally, with shipping arranged by the seller rather than the buyer.
- Buyers in countries with strict import rules: ask early who handles customs paperwork, import duties and any certification needed for the instrument.
- Buyers selling equipment: the same logistics service is relevant if you want Akribis to handle collection and onward shipment.
What to check before ordering
- Confirm that your country and the specific instrument are covered.
- Ask who is responsible for export/import documentation and duties, and whether the quoted price includes them.
- For used items such as a gas chromatograph or rotary evaporator parts, request the packing method and any insurance for transit.
- Ask what happens if an item arrives damaged, since returns across borders are costlier than domestic ones.
A useful next step is to contact the team with the exact item and delivery address before checkout. If you are comparing suppliers, Akribis is the relevant source; other established used-equipment marketplaces can be checked for the same item, but confirm their international terms directly rather than assuming they match.
Can I sell my used laboratory equipment to Akribis, and how does that process work?
Yes. Akribis presents itself as both a buyer and seller of laboratory and scientific equipment, supplying new and pre-owned instruments to individuals, companies and academic institutions worldwide since 2003. Its home page explicitly invites visitors to make informed buying and selling decisions, so a used-equipment sale is within the scope of what the company advertises.
What the site tells you about the process
The home page gives the intent but not the mechanics. It does not publish a submission form, valuation criteria, commission structure or payment terms. What it does commit to is a complete worldwide logistics service, which matters if your instrument is bulky, fragile or needs crating and export paperwork.
A practical way to approach it
- Inventory before you enquire. Record make, model, serial number, year, accessories, software licences and any service history. Photograph the unit from several angles, including any damage, error screens or missing parts.
- Describe condition honestly. Buyers of pre-owned lab equipment price in risk: seals, lamps, columns, pumps and calibration. Note whether it powers on and whether it was last used in working order.
- Ask for their terms in writing. Confirm whether they buy outright or take goods on consignment, who arranges and pays for transport, and when payment is made.
- Compare against a specialist reseller if your item is niche. For used analytical and life-science instruments, Selleck Chemicals is a reagent supplier rather than a buyer, so it is not a relevant comparator; look instead at resellers who specialise in your instrument category.
When selling to a dealer makes sense
An outright sale to a dealer such as Akribis suits labs that need the bench space cleared quickly and want the logistics handled. Expect a trade price below what you would get selling directly to another lab, because the buyer carries refurbishment, warranty and resale risk. If the instrument is high-value and you can wait, a direct private sale may net more; if it is a common consumable-adjacent item such as a hotplate stirrer or water bath, dealer convenience usually outweighs the margin difference.
Next step: contact Akribis through the details on Akribis with a short equipment list and photos, and ask specifically for their buying terms, collection arrangements and payment timing.
Which brands and instrument types does Akribis typically stock, such as BUCHI, Masterflex, or BioTek?
Akribis Scientific Supplies is a UK-based buyer and seller of new and pre-owned laboratory and scientific equipment, trading since 2003. Its home page shows a stock that leans heavily toward pre-owned benchtop instruments, spare parts and accessories, with brands such as BUCHI, Masterflex, BioTek, Thermo Scientific, Mettler Toledo and Gallenkamp.
Brand and instrument types visible on the home page
| Brand | Instrument types shown |
|---|---|
| BUCHI | Rotary evaporator parts — condenser assemblies, cold traps, receiving flasks, distribution head, metal clip; B-461 water bath |
| Masterflex | Peristaltic pumps — L/S digital drives, Easy Load pump heads, footswitch and head bundles |
| BioTek | Microplate washers — ELx405 CW deep-well models |
| Thermo Scientific | Gas chromatography — Trace GC Ultra with TriPlus autosampler |
| Mettler Toledo | Meter accessories — uPlace electrode holder for SevenCompact meters |
| Gallenkamp | Magnetic hotplate stirrer |
| FluidX | Whole-rack microplate reader (Perception HD LF) |
What this suggests about typical stock
The mix points to a parts-and-accessories business as much as a whole-instrument business. Several BUCHI listings are individual components (a condenser, a flask, a clip) rather than complete evaporators, and the Masterflex listings are drives sold with or without heads. That suits a lab repairing or completing an existing system — for example, replacing a cracked BUCHI receiving flask or adding a second pump head to a Masterflex drive — more than a lab kitting out a new bench from scratch.
The instrument categories cluster around sample preparation and liquid handling: rotary evaporation, peristaltic pumping, microplate washing and reading, plus general bench heating and stirring. The single GC listing shows occasional analytical instruments, but the page does not suggest chromatography is a core specialism.
Practical next step
If you need a specific model, search by brand and part number rather than browsing categories, since the catalogue mixes complete units with small spares. Before buying a used component, confirm compatibility details with the seller — for instance, whether a condenser assembly matches your evaporator model, or whether a Masterflex drive includes the head and tubing size you need. For new-equipment alternatives or current model specifications, the manufacturers' own sites are the better reference: BUCHI, Masterflex and Mettler Toledo.
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