How to Select the Perfect Medical Imaging Parts Vendor  

If you have a job as a biomedical engineering technician, you might be in charge of tracking down and purchasing medical imaging parts for the biomedical equipment that you are in charge of maintaining. As you already know, there are dozens and possibly hundreds of suppliers of medical imaging parts to choose between. The question is, how do you choose a medical imaging parts supplier?

Inventory Most importantly, whatever medical imaging parts supplier you decide to work with has to carry replacement pieces for the majority of the equipment you maintain. Nearly all vendors have on-line inventories that allow you figure out which suppliers meet most of your needs for medical imaging parts.

Cost Cost isn't a straightforward issue. When you try to find the lowest price, you may find yourself with low quality equipment. On the other hand, you certainly do not want to get singed by paying the highest prices if there's another option. There are two considerations you can make. First, is the medical imaging part inherently complex so that you ought to use the get what you pay for principle and buy premium? Or, is the part relatively uncomplicated so that the plain vanilla inexpensive kind will do? Second, when the total amount of money you'll need to spend is significant enough to warrant the effort, look at all the prices out in the marketplace. If there's a general range, you will probably be paying about the same price everywhere you go, so go ahead and purchase the part based on other criteria. If there are considerable highs and lows, you need to understand why these differences exist. For instance, is the inexpensive supplier able to keep his overhead so low that everything is a bargain? Or is he selling a cheap product?

Warranty What kind of warranty does the supplier offer? If parts are refurbished, who did the refurbishing? Is there ISO-based quality control?

Return/Exchange policy Will you be able to return a part that has been incorrectly ordered? Is there a time limit? Does the company give money back or exchange only?

Shipping Shipping and handling costs are sometimes the veiled high cost component of the purchase price. Be sure you are aware of all shipping and handling fees ahead of time. Also, can the company absolutely, positively get you a medical imaging part overnight?

Customer service Will the company work with you to solve any problems, whatever they are? Is customer service available all day every day? Are there BMETs on hand to help you trouble shoot medical imaging parts problems if and when you need them?