Veterinary equipment purchases are important. They help a practice provide the desired level of care to patients. And while they generate revenue, they can also represent a significant financial investment—especially for larger purchases like veterinary digital x-ray systems.
Transparent pricing and billing
The purchase price of new equipment is a crucial consideration. But it’s also important not to overlook ongoing costs for repairs and maintenance—something that can really add up over the years if not appropriately planned for.
Thankfully, warranties and service plans can help protect your investment. But not all plans are created equal. Here are 10 factors to think about when it comes to a warranty or service plan for your new x-ray equipment…
Warranty length
The first thing to know is how long your new equipment will be covered. One to five years are common lengths for initial purchase warranties.
Warranty is renewable
Although a shiny new warranty is a great way to protect your x-ray unit, it’s important to think about what happens after the warranty expires. After all, many practices plan to use their DR system much longer than the first few years that are covered by the warranty. Some plans are renewable, while others are not. Although a renewable warranty can be great, it’s not necessarily a deal breaker if it’s not an option. The most important thing is to crunch the numbers and see what’s best for your practice’s budget.
Costs to renew a warranty
When it comes to crunching the numbers, the cost of renewing a warranty is a primary consideration. It can certainly be expensive to renew some warranties (assuming that option is even available), which can lead some practices to skip it and just pay for repairs and maintenance out of pocket. Knowing this information can help the practice decide what’s best for them.
What’s included?
Just because a warranty is in place, doesn’t mean that all repairs and maintenance will be covered! Ask the vendor or manufacturer specifically what is covered, rather than making any assumptions.
What’s NOT included?
It can be just as important to ask about common veterinary scenarios and see if they are covered. For example, spills (liquids such as urine or drool getting on the sensor), drops, and bite damage (especially for veterinary dental radiography) can happen in a veterinary hospital. Ask the vendor or manufacturer if these types of damages are covered.
Service and maintenance costs
Sometimes warranties simply cover damage and equipment malfunctions but don’t include routine maintenance. Either way, service and maintenance costs will certainly factor in once the warranty expires. Knowing what you are getting can help with future budgeting. Find out how frequently routine maintenance is recommended and how much it will cost. A separate service and maintenance plan might also be an option.
Timeline for repairs
When x-ray equipment breaks down, a practice might feel the frustration of having to refer patients, delay procedures, and miss out on income until their machine is up and running. Therefore, the expected time for repairs is important. See if loaner equipment is available to use during repairs, too.
Help with minor technical issues. Some issues can be resolved quickly with a simple phone call. A helpful tech support line, ideally available 24/7, can be a great thing to have.
Availability of replacement parts
Is the manufacturer going to continue making this model of equipment for some time? Or is the model becoming obsolete? It’s frustrating when a component of the machine or sensor needs to be replaced, but replacement parts are no longer being manufactured. It can also be very expensive. A lack of replacement parts means that new equipment might need to be purchased to replace something that’s broken down.
Advice from colleagues
Ask around for advice from other vets who have the same type of equipment and warranty or service plan. Veterinary forums are one option. You can also check with local colleagues or ask the vendor to put you in touch with others who have made the same purchase. Real-life experience is valuable for learning about any other questions you might not have thought to ask.
While it’s nice to have all the features listed above, that doesn’t mean a veterinary practice should rule out purchases that don’t have a “perfect” warranty. Instead, asking these questions can help a veterinarian gain a better understanding of the long-term costs of maintaining their equipment.
In addition to the actual purchase price, this information can help a practice minimize any unpleasant surprises and choose the veterinary DR system or other equipment that best meets their long-term needs and budget.
Written by: Dr. Tammy Powell, DVM