With so many companies around it can be tough to make a decision as to which company is right for you. This process should go beyond who offers the cheapest goods. As a customer you need to ask yourself all the what if’s that may impact your business and then see who can answer those questions well.

Besides the price of ultrasound machines, there are other factors to consider. Longevity is one of those things. How long have the owners or employees been in the industry? The longer the business has been around the more credible they will be in the information they give you. Longevity means greater knowledge. Knowledge of the ins and outs of the ultrasound world can keep you from making mistakes in the selection of equipment and connectivity. This is a service you are not directly paying for but is priceless.

The next issue is to consider how will the company support you with machine issues when they arise? Look for a company with an engineer on staff not a contracted one. While a service contract goes a long way in the up keep of your equipment, you may have other issues with functionality or connectivity that need to be resolved. Then you need to consider who will do the repairs? This should be someone who is very experienced in the machines that you own. In the area of service does the company stand behind the repair? Look at how the company tracks the repair process as well. This is a very important issue. You do not want a company that you buy from and as soon as the warranty runs out so does the company.

Also look at who is providing your training. This person must be a certified sonographer, not a sales person whose only purpose is selling and not supporting. Having a sonographer on staff is invaluable in your training. Training is very important because it will allow the customer less of a learning curve and hit the ground running. Just because the customer used a 2011 GE machine does not mean they know how to use a 2021 machine. It makes no sense to have a great machine and not be able to use it to the fullest extent. The best outcomes are the customers who are allowed to have the time to learn properly. Most of the time purchase contracts offer a specified about of training so take advantage of it. Always ask these questions before you buy any units. These applications specialists are a wealth of information and are there to advise you on best practices.

Access is the other thing to consider. It is important to have a company that you can contact is you have a question. Can you just pick up the phone and call? Will your emails be answered promptly? How will the service department communicate with you? Nothing is more frustrating than having a problem and not being able to get an answer in a timely manner. Some issues take some time to rectify and will the company keep you in the loop about the progress? This is where smaller companies shine is in customer service.

How that you have purchased a system how will you get it? There are shipping costs and logistics that affect how you receive the systems. Look for a company who has a dedicated shipping department or person. There are several procedures for the delivery of the equipment in one piece. The packaging has to be correct plus ultrasound equipment is quite unique and requires special knowledge to pack it correctly. How will you receive communication about your delivery? This should be a consideration so you receive the items on time and undamaged.

Lastly, look at the reputation of a company. Today we have a variety of online tools to gather information about everything. There are different sites that offer insights to a company’s reputation. Is the company there to serve you or to just make a sale and then you are history once the sale is made? You have the option to ask for references as well. Contact others in your area to gather more information. Essentially you are hiring this company to be with you for the next five years onward. We have worked very hard to build the reputation we have.

So you can see price is not the only thing to consider when buying ultrasound equipment. Of course price is a major consideration. These other things are to be carefully thought about as well.