Used pallet rack is often the go-to answer for warehouse managers looking for a bottom line-friendly solution to their storage problems. Of all the things in the world you want to buy brand spanking new, pallet rack falls remarkably low on the list. It's the material you're storing that you care about, so you may care less about your pallet rack's looks. You just want it to get the job done.
Lucky for you there's a huge market out there for used pallet rack, and if you know where to look and who to trust, you'll find exactly what you're looking for at half the price. Speedrack Midwest stocks warehouses full of used rack for those looking to expand their storage capacity, and since we spend so much of our time scrutinizing pallet rack before we accept it, we can guide you toward a successful buying experience with your own used rack.
Measure twice, install once
Used pallet rack doesn't come straight off the production line, so there's no guarantee that an inspector is checking each piece of used rack you're buying. Cover your own bases first. Make sure you know exactly how many pieces you need, and in what sizes, before searching online and making calls. You don't want to get caught with a bundle full of beams hiding mismatched sizes, or a bunch of non-standard load beams that a warehouse worker measured wrong. When you arrive to pick up your order, do a final measurement before loading up, because the minute that rack hits your truck bed and you sign on the dotted line, it's no longer the seller's problem.
Just how used is used?
You'll find different grades of used when you're hunting for pallet rack. If rack is marked "used," that means little to nothing has been done to it. You'd be lucky if it's been dusted with a dirty rag. It may be covered in stickers from the last warehouse, have visible rust, scratches, or general discoloration. If it still holds material, why fix what ain't broke? On the other hand, you'll see some rack that is refurbished or "like-new," meaning the seller has gone to the trouble of removing stickers, buffing off the rust, power washing, or even applying on a fresh coat of paint to make rack look a hundred times better. You'll pay a premium for refurbished, but it's still a good deal over new, and new paint can help delay corrosion. In the end, it's up to you if it's worth it in the long run.
Research your seller
Try to get to know your seller before you meet them. Were you referred? Are there online reviews? Figure out if your seller makes honest claims, makes shipping deadlines, or offers on-site loading. It's the little things that add up to a good customer experience, and if you're thinking of coming back for more rack someday, you want to find a good well that you can return to. When it comes to used rack, you risk crossing paths with all sorts of opportunists who want to make a quick buck on a fast and dirty deal. Don't get sucked into anything that looks too good to be true. Look for a history of reliable service.
Coming back for more
If you're buying rack now, you're liable to buy more later. That's how it works, right? You want to keep growing, so you need to store more stuff. This lesson goes hand-in-hand with the one above. Find a trustworthy source that'll help you out when you need it. But you also need to take ownership for your own building. If you plan on expanding later, don't think you'll take the discounted pile of non-standard length load beams and manufacturer-discontinued uprights. Be sure to get your hands on compatible components, so when the time comes to build, you don't need to cobble together a Frankenstein collection of used parts in shapes, sizes, and colors.
It's easy to start shopping for used pallet rack with a short-term mindset, but the more you think about the future of your business and starting up healthy relationships with new suppliers, the better you'll find yourself. The material handling professionals at Speedrack Midwest are happy to get you started or build on your used pallet rack, and we welcome any and all questions about the equipment we buy and sell. Call our Sparta, Michigan office today at 616-887-8886 or contact us online for a look at our current inventory and a quote on new or used rack.