subject: 7 Tips For Buying Surgical Supplies And Anesthesia Equipment Online [print this page] Surgical supplies can be expensiveSurgical supplies can be expensive. In fact, nowadays, if you are in medicine, everything is expensive: expensive for the patients, expensive for the doctors.
Costs like health insurance, as well as liability insurance certainly don't help. Although it's hard, if not impossible to reduce those costs, there are certain costs you can reduce, like medical supplies and anesthesia equipment.
The secret to doing this is to buy online. You can do this by shopping with reputable companies. Before you get started though, there are a few things you need to know. This article will help you make the right decisions so this process is stress free, as well as pain free.
1. Decide what supplies you need to purchase.
The simplest way to do this is to take inventory; see what you already have on hand. If you've been in business for awhile, then you already know the exact quantities you need to have on hand.
If you don't know, then do an survey of past usage and make a list of what you need. Most medical supply stores online allow you to search for what you want, so you won't have any trouble finding what you need if you already have a list prepared.
2. Discuss your options with the companies you are considering buying from.
Your first step to getting started shopping online is to find sites that offer what you want to buy. You may also want to consider searching in Google Local.
Once you find the sites you need, take a good look around. Read the FAQ (frequently asked questions). Browse and search the catalog. A good site will offer you one.
3. Request catalogs, as well as additional literature.
Most sites will offer you print catalogs, as well as other literature. Order these resources, if using an online catalog isn't convenient.
The value of print catalogs is that these are much more niche oriented than online catalogs. In other words, these catalogs focus on specific types of products like plastic surgery or dental instruments.
4. Get the appropriate contact information.
This includes email, phone, and online chat. You want to make sure you have this information handy so that you can place additional orders, as well as contact the company if something is wrong with your order.
Most companies won't accept returns without prior approval because medical supplies are so carefully controlled. Sterility is important, and any supplies that have been contaminated can't be resold. Make sure you follow handling and storage instructions provided so that you will be able to return these supplies without problems if the need arises.
5. Compare the various prices, brands, and quality.
There aren't that many companies that make these supplies because they are so specialized. However, that doesn't mean that you can't get some great deals. Look for discounts.
Larger sites will offer you big discounts, as well as clearance items, so you may be able to get even better deals on what you need. You don't have to pay a fortune to get quality. You just have to look for those bargains.
6. Shop on sites that offer lots of products.
You will save yourself a lot of time and money by looking for sites that offer a wide variety of products. The more products the site offers, the less you will have to look elsewhere for what you need.
7. Check for discounts, as well as any additional charges you may incur.
I've already mentioned discounts, and you can find discounts up to anywhere from 36 to 42 percent. However, even if you can get big discounts, if you pay high shipping and handling charges, you've just negated the value of the discount. Bigger orders generally give you the best shipping and handling rates. Some sites may not even charge for this.
Buying surgical supplies and anesthesia equipment online is a simple process. Look for great deals, great customer service and cut your cost of doing business. Your patients will thank you.
