How to Buy Used Pallet Racking in 5 Easy Steps

If you’re planning a facility upgrade or renovation, or if you’re building a new warehouse, the process of adding new equipment and systems can be overwhelming. 

The most common kind of warehouse racking system is pallet racking, and for good reason. These systems can bring a wide range of benefits to a warehouse, including usage versatility, increased space, and improved organizational efficiency. But these benefits can come at a hefty cost. The solution: high-quality used pallet rack.

Saving money by implementing used pallet racking allows you to either lower the overall project cost or invest your savings in other aspects of the company or project. But how can you ensure your team makes informed buying decisions that maximize the value of your investment? 

The process for buying the right used pallet rack systems can be broken down into five steps.

Let’s discuss each step in detail to make sure your team purchases quality products that are best suited to your needs.

Step 1: Determine Your Needs

Before you make any major purchases, take a moment to consider the needs of your operation. Meet with your team to discuss some of the following considerations:

• Storage capacity and requirements
• Timeline for installation
• Workflow
• Volume and throughput
• Traffic level
• Type of equipment being used
• Budget

Another thing to keep in mind is the type of pallet rack that is best suited for your particular facility. The ideal type of pallet racking will depend on the volume of inventory, the type and level of traffic, and other various factors unique to your warehouse.

Here’s a brief overview of some common types of pallet racking:

• Selective Pallet Rack: This is the most common type of pallet racking system. Selective pallet rack provides more accessibility than push back and other FILO systems. These systems are suited to operations that benefit from ample access to pallets.
• Pushback Pallet Rack: These systems are not recommended for high-volume packing operations or other applications that require a high level of accessibility. First in, last out (FILO) operations are more compatible with this system.
• Drive-in Pallet Rack: These systems offer great vertical storage solutions for warehouses that have less space or operations that focus on staging and SKU separation.
• Narrow Aisle Pallet Rack: These systems are ideal for facilities with minimal aisle space and that need to store multiple low-volume SKUs. These systems are not recommended for facilities that use forklifts and other heavy machinery, due to OSHA aisle width standards.

Once you determine your needs and have a clear understanding of what pallet racking to look for, it’s time to do some design and configurations. If you’re unsure, most companies that sell racking can also help with warehouse design and determining what pre-owned warehouse rack will work best for your application.

Step 2: Locate Companies Near You Selling Used Pallet Racking

Before you can buy it, you have to find it. There are a few ways to find reputable dealers near your location. You could search on Google, peruse your local business-to-business listings, or reach out to industry connections for recommendations.

There are likely multiple options for companies selling used pallet racking in your area. So, how do you decide which ones are reputable?

The first way is by connecting with a representative. You’ll likely understand in a single phone call whether a company has a focus on providing excellent customer service.

Another way is to browse reviews and past customer testimonials. A trustworthy source is the Better Business Bureau. Using a combination of verified customer reviews, rankings, and accreditations, they make it easy to determine if a company has a solid reputation.

Step 3: Contact Vendors to Compare Prices

Once you have a list of companies in the area that sell used pallet racking, reach out and contact them to find out about pricing and any discounts.

Narrow this down enough to help make the decision easier, but not so much that you don’t have a variety of choices. This way, you’ll be able to confidently proceed with a purchase knowing you’ve considered all available options.

Step 4: Inspect the Products Offered

Well, it is, in fact, used equipment — which can come in a whole range of varying conditions — so you want to be sure the condition is what’s being advertised to you. If possible, inspect the racking to make sure it will suit your needs and is in a safe condition. 

There will be times when you can’t personally inspect the used pallet racking that you buy.  In these cases, request high-resolution images from multiple angles. And be sure to inquire about the return policy should the products not align with what was described or shown.

Step 5: Finalize the Purchase

This requires two things: negotiating the best deal possible and negotiating the delivery of your used pallet racking. 

Negotiating the deal will entail discussing payment methods and terms (Cash, COD, Net30, etc). You may also be able to negotiate using the information you gathered on discounts and bonuses from competitor companies. 

Negotiating the delivery will entail discussing possible delivery dates for your used pallet racks with the vendor. If you have the means, picking up your pallet rack is a great way to save money.

Buy Used Pallet Rack For Your Warehouse

Pallet racking can drastically increase the value of your facility by improving available space, efficiency, and organization. Buying used means your team can get all the benefits at a fraction of the cost.If you’re looking for premium used pallet racking, we’ve got you covered. At East Coast Storage Equipment, we provide high-quality used storage solutions that maximize space and efficiency in your warehouse. Contact us to see how we can help.