FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

 

What makes Network Sourcing a trusted partner and a reliable source for pre-owned and new networking gear?

Network Sourcing has fast become a reliable source for pre-owned and refurbished networking equipment.  By offering a wide range of products, outstanding customer service and industry-leading warranties our clientele continues to grow. Our inventory of pre-owned equipment includes leading vendors such as Cisco, Juniper, Alcatel-Lucent and Extreme.

 

 What is the secondary market? 

 The secondary market consists of hundred if not thousands of equipment brokers, dealers and consultants that via various sources recycles the equipment back to the end-user or another broker. Most of these firms are reputable and have long history in the marketplace. These equipment sources could be leasing companies, excess inventory from the manufacturer that has been dumped, international sources, auctions, etc. It can even come into the market through an authorized distributor trying to generate sales. It has proven value and many companies take advantage of it to meet their strategic goals. Another much hyped area of concern for the end-user is that ‘secondary market’ equipment is substandard and lacks the manufacturers seal of approval. This may be true but to a lesser degree than is portrayed. Almost all equipment is tested, refurbished and warranted. In many cases you can get a warranty that is longer than the factory warranty.

 

What types of companies are buying pre-owned networking equipment from NETWORK SOURCING?

Network Sourcing sells pre-owned equipment to companies looking to maximize ROA, from small and mid-sized enterprises and businesses, telecommunications service providers, financial institutions, government entities, educational institutions and healthcare organizations. Network Sourcing’s largest vertical segments are telecommunications and technology integrators. Most of the equipment, including deployments in carrier networks where uptime is essential, is used in production environments. While some organizations buy equipment from NETWORK SOURCING for sparing, testing and disaster recovery applications, the majority use the equipment to support front-line service and network expansions.

 

What are the differences between “pre-owned,” “refurbished” and “used” equipment? What do “new-surplus,” “new/open box” and “new/in box” mean?

By definition we consider all equipment we sell as “pre-owned,” meaning originally it was sold by the manufacturer or an authorized reseller and now is being resold. Some of our inventory is used and some equipment has been resold without being used. All NETWORK SOURCING’s used equipment has undergone full inspection, cleaning, testing and reconditioning to return the equipment to as close to original condition as possible. In some cases, equipment requires minor repairs or cosmetic improvement, and is then designated as “refurbished”.

Equipment that is called “new-surplus” has never been used and it may also be described in terms of the condition of its packaging. Equipment that is “new/open box” can range in condition from mint to two or more years old and already resold multiple times, but it has never been used. “New/in box” typically denotes the product is from the OEM’s distribution channel with its original tape unopened. In either of these cases, NETWORK SOURCING opens the boxes to verify the contents and ensure equipment meets specifications.

 

What types of equipment are available on the secondary market?

Today, almost any type of networking equipment can be found for sale on the secondary market. NETWORK SOURCING’s inventory is typically driven by current market demand, so we source the industry’s most valued products in order to provide customers outstanding value. With our extensive resources and contacts throughout many vertical markets, NETWORK SOURCING is typically able to deliver even specialized or hard-to-find items within five to seven days.

 

How much equipment inventory does NETWORK SOURCING carry?

NETWORK SOURCING has more than $10 million (list price value) in inventory. By having network equipment on hand, NETWORK SOURCING can be responsive to our customers’ needs. The company maintains a database of more than 1,000 resources globally along with state-of-the-art databases for tracking our entire inventory worldwide. As a result, NETWORK SOURCING either has or can source hard-to-find networking items.

 

Where does NETWORK SOURCING get its equipment?

NETWORK SOURCING acquires most of its equipment from companies that are upgrading or shifting technologies. When a company upgrades its network, cancels a project or closes a location, NETWORK SOURCING will buy its surplus networking equipment or take it as credit toward a purchase. We also source equipment from systems integrators who may purchase gear for a client only to see the project cancelled or changed, as well as other used equipment resellers. We also interact cooperatively with other secondary market resellers, allowing those without stock on certain technical items to acquire and provide those items from other resellers within the market.

 

What type of warranty does NETWORK SOURCING provide on the equipment it sells?

All of the pre-owned networking equipment sold by Network Sourcing is fully guaranteed and comes with a standard one-year warranty. We also offer extended warranties.

 

 What are the benefits of purchasing pre-owned equipment?

The key benefits are substantial savings and expedited delivery. Companies buying pre-owned networking equipment can save as much as 90 percent off manufacturers’ list prices. When dealing with NETWORK SOURCING, another clear benefit is being able to receive expedited product shipments. In a time when OEMs may take 10 to 80 days to fulfill orders, NETWORK SOURCING can ship overnight if the product is in stock.

 

Is counterfeit a big problem? How does NETWORK SOURCING handle it?

There is counterfeit networking equipment in the market. In the effort to stop counterfeit equipment, NETWORK SOURCING has a Counterfeit Watch Program.  This program includes a strict process for identifying suspect equipment, quarantining it for detailed inspection, documenting evolving counterfeiting techniques and maintaining a comprehensive knowledgebase for continual reference. Our customer service team works to ensure that all NETWORK SOURCING equipment is authentic and meets factory specifications. 

What are the advantages of working with Network Sourcing?

The advantages are personal touch and contact with your account executive, our goal is to become your ‘most valued partner’ when it comes to your network decisions. Take advantage of low prices on network equipment that are available in the ‘secondary market’. The reliability of today’s recognized name brands of equipment are outstanding. Why not purchase your product at a substantial discount from a reliable source that will offer the same warranty that a big company distributor offers.  Our flexibility allows us to respond to your needs quicker, from pricing an item to answering a question. We offer services that make good business sense to investigate. See our Services page.