Locks, Keys and Safes: Buying, Repairing and Maintaining

Brief Buying Guide to Purchasing a Second-Hand Safe

Whether you are looking to keep confidential materials away from unauthorised eyes or would like to ensure valuable belongings are safe from harm, you have possibly considered purchasing a safe for your home. And although investing in a safe would be worthwhile, sometimes the cost of a new one can prove to be extremely limiting for people who may not have a flexible budget. Thus, people look to pre-owned safes as they provide an economical alternative to purchasing a brand new one. Nonetheless, just as buying any other second-hand item, there are some things to factor before making your purchase. Below is a brief buying guide to purchasing a second-hand safe.

Test the safe for functionality

When looking to purchase a second-hand safe, you will find a broad range of types available to you, each offering unique features. Some of the popular features people prioritise when buying this equipment include fire resistance, water resistance and even impact resistance. However, depending on how old the safe as well as the care and maintenance that it received, some of these added features may have diminished over time. It is recommended to know precisely what features are prudent for your specific purchase and taking the time to test whether these features are still functional.

Compare the initial cost vs the additions you want

In your search for a second-hand safe, you may come across equipment that fits the bill when it comes to a majority of your requirements but may have a few features missing. Some people may contemplate simply having their second-hand safe equipped with the attributes that the desire rather than pony up for a new safe. Although this approach can be cost efficient, it is advisable to first make a comparison on the price of your new additions vs the purchase price of the safe. For example, having the fire resistance of the safe may be a priority for people who lie in locations susceptible to bushfires. But, would the cost of this refurbishment be higher or lower than buying a safe that already comes with this characteristic?

Ensure you rekey the safe

A presumption made by first-time buyers is that although the safe is pre-owned, it will still be as secure as a brand new one. In truth, you need to consider that there could be keys that can access your safe floating around. It is recommended to opt for rekeying to be on the safe (pun intended) side. This procedure involves the replacement of the components in the lock cylinder so that new keys are issued to access the second-hand safe.

For more information, contact companies like Askwith Company.


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