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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 challenge(s) am I facing?
• Is there a solution available?
Step 2: Explore available solutions
• Does the solution solve my challenge(s)?
» What are the benefits of the solution?
Does that fit what I need now, in the near future, later?
• What types of solutions are available?
» Am I getting the instrument only, the instrument and so ware,
or the instrument, so ware and consumables?
» Is support included?
» Is service included?
• What is important to consider when selecting a solution?
» Is the instrument user-friendly?
» Is the so ware user-friendly?
» Are the consumables complicated to use?
» How easy is it to collect data?
» Does the instrument have a small footprint?
» Does it require training to operate?
» What types of upgrades are available?
» Does it have the throughput I need?
Step 3: Evaluate vendors
• Look at their credibility in the research community
• Are there many publications that use this solution?
How recent are they, and are they in relevant journals that
promote high-quality research?
• Who or which labs have their instrument?
• What do felllow researchers recommend?
• How long has the company been around?
• How many customers do they have?
• Are they global?
• What kind of support do they offer?
• 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
• Ask a sales rep questions
• Ask for a demo
• Verify the solution fits the need
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?
• Will others be using the technology?
• What information do they need to know?
