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Where do you buy used hardware?

aparks517 5y ago
eBay has a good selection. I prefer to buy from sellers that specialize in server gear -- the descriptions are usually more complete/accurate and they'll (hopefully) know how to pack things so they arrive in good shape. If you have a good surplus store or recyclers in your town it might be worth checking with them to save shipping (servers are heavy!). If you plan to buy a lot of gear regularly, it may pay you back to do some networking and make friends with folks who buy new and replace after five years -- become their recycler ;)
ComputerGuru 5y ago
Not OP. Off-lease equipment is readily available online. For one-offs, just use ebay. Beyond that, just reach out to the ebay sellers directly (their username is often the company name).
- somehnguy 5y ago
  Do you have any tips on search terms you've had success with? I've seen a number of good listing from defunct startups that fire sale their remaining hardware on Ebay - but always through a direct link shared elsewhere. I don't know where to begin with finding stuff like that myself.
  - vgeek 5y ago
    For eBay, I just search "1u server" or a specific make/model ("dell r720") then filter down from there. Once you find a combo that works, then search by that specific model or view the seller's other listings. Many times they'll have pallets full of each type of server and may be willing to offer volume discounts.
  - aparks517 5y ago
    The suggestion below to search for "1u server" is probably good to get a feel for what the overall used market is like and what relative availability is. It helps to keep up a little with the product line of whoever moves a lot of equipment in your area (Dell around here) so you'll know what the popular/good models are to watch out for when they hit the used market. It also helps to know what options are available and/or common for the model you're looking at so you know if you're seeing something that's specced up or bare-bones or in between. Server manufacturers usually have someplace on their websites for hardware or technical guides or spec-sheets. They're often available for 10+ years after they quit selling a model, so you can research a system before you buy a truckload of them.

eBay has a good selection. I prefer to buy from sellers that specialize in server gear -- the descriptions are usually more complete/accurate and they'll (hopefully) know how to pack things so they arrive in good shape. If you have a good surplus store or recyclers in your town it might be worth checking with them to save shipping (servers are heavy!). If you plan to buy a lot of gear regularly, it may pay you back to do some networking and make friends with folks who buy new and replace after five years -- become their recycler ;)

ComputerGuru 5y ago

Not OP. Off-lease equipment is readily available online. For one-offs, just use ebay. Beyond that, just reach out to the ebay sellers directly (their username is often the company name).

somehnguy 5y ago
Do you have any tips on search terms you've had success with? I've seen a number of good listing from defunct startups that fire sale their remaining hardware on Ebay - but always through a direct link shared elsewhere. I don't know where to begin with finding stuff like that myself.
- vgeek 5y ago
  For eBay, I just search "1u server" or a specific make/model ("dell r720") then filter down from there. Once you find a combo that works, then search by that specific model or view the seller's other listings. Many times they'll have pallets full of each type of server and may be willing to offer volume discounts.
- aparks517 5y ago
  The suggestion below to search for "1u server" is probably good to get a feel for what the overall used market is like and what relative availability is. It helps to keep up a little with the product line of whoever moves a lot of equipment in your area (Dell around here) so you'll know what the popular/good models are to watch out for when they hit the used market. It also helps to know what options are available and/or common for the model you're looking at so you know if you're seeing something that's specced up or bare-bones or in between. Server manufacturers usually have someplace on their websites for hardware or technical guides or spec-sheets. They're often available for 10+ years after they quit selling a model, so you can research a system before you buy a truckload of them.