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Buyer's Checklist
Here are questions to ask as you're going through the buying process.
Step 1: Explore your research needs
What problems are you facing?
Is there a solution for it?
Step 2: Explore available solutions
• Does the solution solve my problem?
What are the benefits of the solution and does that fit what I
need now, in the near future, later?
• What type of offering do they have?
Product only, product and so ware, product, so ware and
consumables
Is support included?
Is service included?
• Type of solution?
Is the instrument user-friendly?
Is the so ware user-friendly?
Is the so ware compatible?
Are the consumables complicated to use?
How easy is it to get data?
Does it have a small footprint?
Does it require training to operate?
What types of upgrades are available?
Does it have the throughput I need?
Will I have an opportunity to demo? For how long?
Step 3: Evaluate vendors
• Look at credibility in research community
• How many publications do they have?
• Who or which labs have an instrument?
• What do people recommend?
• How long has the company been around?
• How many customers do they have?
• Are they global?
• What kind of support do they offer?
• How o en do they update their so ware?
• Am I served by a local representative?
Step 4: Make an informed decision
• Compare the different technologies side-by-side
• Narrow to a few choices
• Request a demo
• Follow up with the sales rep to ask questions
Step 5: Purchase the technology
• How much will it cost?
• What's included in the cost?
• How am I going to pay for it?
• Who is responsible in the buying decision?
• What information do they need to know?
• Will others be using the technology?
