Planning to start a professional aesthetic laser business? Pre-owned lasers range from $10,000 to $85,000. Hawk estimates a multiplatform system would range from $65,000 to $85,000.

Mike Moreno, President for MedPro, explains that his company refurbishes both cosmetic and technological aspects of lasers to meet the OEM's specs. "The majority of our sales come from the web, through referrals or by references. We encourage potential customers to come to our facility in Salt Lake City, UT. For those who can't travel, we issue a service report and video link showing the machine in full operation."


Sales for MedPro are also increasing outside of the U.S. Last year, 30% of their equipment was sold through agents and dealers in Australia, Poland, Brazil and the Middle East.

Richard Fosco, President, HealthWare, Inc. also believes the MediSpa business was growing. His company sells CO2, diode, intense pulsed light (IPL), and holmium lasers for spa and surgical applications. He would advise customers to understand exactly what they are purchasing and consider following up with after-purchase service.

"If I had to say the one most common error buyers make is shopping for the cheapest possible product. Those of us who have been in this business for a while know that cheapest is rarely best," Fosco says.

Paul Edmondson owns Photonic Services, LLC, a laser service business based in Southern California. He has seen a MediSpa in every strip-mall as multi-locale practices decide to close. "Some companies that have scattered locations say performance has dropped by about 50%. I've seen about 12 locations close in the past year," he said.

Recertification

Buyers of pre-owned equipment frequently inherit the dilemma of recertification. It is a challenge faced by anyone who sells or services pre-owned laser equipment.

Moreno explains, "Pre-owned equipment fails to be supported by manufacturers. Equipment becomes devalued because OEMs are not transferring warranties. They are charging $25,000-$30,000 recertification fees to buy a service contract. This procedure is against FDA regulations, and though it is not yet challenged, I am aware that it may be challenged in 2009."

Hawk adds, "In the event that customers purchase new equipment, we recommend writing into the contract that warranties are transferable and no recertification fees to the new owner."

As a technical service engineer who has more business repairing laser equipment than he can keep up with, Edmondson agrees, "Recertification is a big problem. Manufacturers are trying to protect their investments but those companies make it difficult to get parts. I spend a lot of time sourcing parts."

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