7 Essential Questions to Ask Before Purchasing an AED

Reputation, quality, and customer service are all important factors in the buying process. These qualities should be especially valued when making a long term investment in an automated external defibrillator. We know it can be difficult to vet companies online or over the phone, and it can be all too easy to be swayed by a lowball bid. Unfortunately, there are AED companies willing to sell these lifesaving pieces of equipment with no regard for long term customer service or satisfaction.

We’ve created a set of essential questions to ask any company you are considering purchasing from as well as our answers to what sets AED.com apart. We want your business, but most importantly we want to ensure your AED or defibrillator purchasing experience is flawless from ordering and shipping to maintenance and follow up.

1. Do you offer a loaner program?

AEDs  of course need maintenance, so AED.com offers our customers a loaner program at no cost. This means that if your device is in need of maintenance we will provide overnight shipping of a loaner unit while yours is being looked at by our biomedical technicians. This program is good for as long as you own the device.

2. Do you have biomedical technicians on the premises? How were they trained?

At AED.com, our biomedical technicians work on the premises of our Brentwood, Tennessee office. They have been factory trained and certified by our manufacturers. Whether performing maintenance on your current device or refurbishing a used unit, our biomeds utilize only state-of-the-art testing equipment from Fluke and BCI. These devices guarantee proper calibration and maintenance according to factory standards

3. How large is their inventory? Can you see a current picture of that inventory?

This is a major concern when initially purchasing your equipment as well as when sending it in for maintenance. A low inventory means longer delivery times as well as a small likelihood that a loaner unit is available at any given time. AED.com  is proud to carry a substantial inventory that allows us to quickly serve our customers. We will happily provide you a picture of our current inventory, and we invite you to set up a visit to our Brentwood office and distribution center.

4. Do they carry liability insurance? Will they send you a copy of their policy?

Liability insurance is a must for every business no matter how small. It protects both the business and the client. We would be happy to provide you with a copy of our insurance policy on request.

5. Have you dealt with this company before? Are they going to honor their warranty?

Unfortunately, many small businesses have a short lifespan. Before you purchase an AED, make sure to consider the distributor’s financial stability. If they go out of business, will you have any way to maintain your device’s warranty? AED.com has been in business for 14 years. We have built our reputation around excellent customer service and honoring our promises, and providing top notch products.

6. Are they a licensed distributor of all major brands?

A reputable distributor will have established a licensing partnership with the major AED manufacturers. Failure to do so might signal a manufacturer has opted not to work with a distributor due to concerns about financial stability, reputation, and customer service. Be especially concerned when purchasing a refurbished AED. If the distributor does not have a licensing agreement with the brand, they are unlikely to be able to procure necessary parts for maintenance. AED.com is proud to have longstanding relationships with a number of manufacturers including Zoll, Philips Healthcare, Cardiac Science, and  Physio Control  just to name a few.

7. What accessories are you receiving? What kind of training and management programs can you expect?

Batteries, pads, and other accessories should always be new even when purchasing a refurbished unit. Don’t settle for used batteries that have been recharged. Also, consider how you will receive training and program management for your new device. All AED.com sales representatives are trained AED instructors. We will provide you a free online training session as well as provide you with additional training resources. We offer AED management systems through En-Pro which will keep you well within your legal obligations.