Used warehouse racks and shelves provide significant cost savings for storage upgrades or expansions. However, purchasing pre-owned equipment unseen carries risks if not properly vetted. Avoid safety issues, early failures or buying existing problems through careful inspection and expert consultation before acquiring used systems.
Where to Find Used Racking and Shelving
When investing in ways to save costs on upgrading or expanding warehouse storage capacity, you should be highly selective on used racking and shelving sources. Effectively navigating used equipment marketplace risks requires understanding many available channels:
Industrial Auctions – Popular for sourcing entire lots of large racking systems being removed from closing warehouses. Product conditions can be mixed.
Online Marketplaces – Easier finding smaller amounts of specific racking and shelving components. Individual seller reputation ranges widely. Verify all listing details.
Building Demolition Salvage Companies – Racks recovered from dismantled structures may offer decent condition at reasonable prices. Condition history is often lacking.
Used Asset Rental Companies – Retailers like Prince Steel not only sell quality used racking, but rent systems too. After rental return, well-examined racks become offered at attractive residual value rates.
Rack Repair and Maintenance Companies – Companies decommissioning older racks often sell off inventories to rack repair specialists. These professionals possess mechanical component inspection abilities.
Original Pallet Racking Manufacturers – Rack builders will remarket trade-ins and refurbished returns at reasonable discounts given product expertise. Quality is more predictable.
Define Required Capacity and Components
Outline all inventory sizes, weights, volumes needing accommodation along with expected growth projections. This establishes the used rack sizing and strength specifications to source. Component needs like shelving materials, beam types and accessories should align with current operations. Mismatched systems hamper workflows.
Assess Integrity In Person Pre-Purchase
Thoroughly examine all physical rack aspects rather than just visually apparent sections easily manipulated to show nicely. Scan connections, frames, beams and decks for corrosion, damage defects or wear deformities. Confirm capacities support your pallet loads. Review design specs like cantilever arm ratings.
Demand Transparent Histories and Reports
Quality used rack sellers detail full system histories for accurate age context, rather than vague claims like “gently used.” Ask for original specs/manuals, current inspection certificates outlining component conditions, repair and reinforcement records accounting for reconfigurations from the initial setup.
Seek Financial Protection Through Warranties
Even deeply vetted used racks bring higher failure chances than new equipment. Seek reasonably long warranty coverage for defects against beams cracking, connections loosening or other fundamental failures making racks unsafe or unusable shortly after install. Enforce maintenance terms ensuring ignored upkeep or abuse doesn’t void financial protections.
Let Prince Steel Handle Your Used Storage Needs
We buy and sell top-quality used warehouse racks, shelves, conveyors and accessories at discounted prices compared to new equivalents. Our extensive testing procedures and restoration processes ensure any pre-owned systems meet current safety and functionality standards prior to resale.
Trust Prince Steel’s used racking professionals to safely maximize your storage capacity affordably.
Contact us today at 480-405-0940 for your free evaluation!