Resale Value Guide: Rainin Pipettes vs. Eppendorf Pipettes
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Resale Value Guide: Rainin Pipettes vs. Eppendorf Pipettes
For Bay Area biotech startups, research labs, and universities, liquidating surplus assets is a smart way to reclaim capital. Liquid handling instruments are among the most common items moved during a lab cleanout.
If you are looking to sell your liquid handling inventory, pipettes from Rainin (Mettler Toledo) and Eppendorf command some of the highest resale values on the market. However, their value retention depends on distinct market factors.
This guide breaks down how Rainin and Eppendorf pipettes hold their value, what buyers look for, and how to maximize your return when liquidating your lab.
1. Rainin Pipettes: The Bay Area Industry Standard
Rainin pipettes are the workhorses of the Silicon Valley and South San Francisco biotech hubs. Because so many local labs standardize their workflows around Rainin, the secondary market demand is exceptionally high.
Key Value Drivers:
- The LTS Advantage: Rainin’s patented LiteTouch System (LTS) reduces tip ejection force. Labs that exclusively use LTS tips will only buy LTS pipettes, keeping used demand fierce.
- Ergonomics & Ergonomic Popularity: Models like the Rainin Classic™, XLS+™, and E4™ XLS (electronic) retain premium pricing because technicians prefer their feel during long bench sessions.
- Resale Estimate: Well-maintained, calibrated Rainin manual single-channel pipettes routinely command 40% to 60% of their original retail value on the used market. Electronic and multi-channel models retain even higher absolute dollar values if the digital screens and batteries are functional.
2. Eppendorf Pipettes: The Global Gold Standard
Eppendorf is a global powerhouse known for indestructible German engineering. While Rainin dominates specific regional biotech sectors, Eppendorf pipettes are universally recognized and highly sought after by buyers worldwide.
Key Value Drivers:
- Universal Tip Compatibility: Unlike Rainin LTS, standard Eppendorf pipettes accept universal pipette tips. This open-system nature makes them highly appealing to budget-conscious startups that want to avoid proprietary tip lock-in.
- Legendary Durability: The Eppendorf Research® plus and Reference® 2 series are famous for surviving harsh laboratory environments and autoclave cycles. Buyers pay a premium for this reliability.
- Resale Estimate: Because they are highly durable and universally compatible, Eppendorf pipettes hold a steady 45% to 65% resale value. The electronic Xplorer® lines also hold strong value, provided the charging carousels or power supplies are included.
3. Head-to-Head: Which Retains Better Resale Value?
| Feature | Rainin Pipettes | Eppendorf Pipettes | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local Bay Area Demand | Exceptionally High (Biotech standard) | High (Universal standard) | Rainin |
| Tip Flexibility | Low (LTS models require LTS tips) | High (Fits universal brands) | Eppendorf |
| Durability Reputation | High | Very High (Autoclave resilient) | Eppendorf |
| Multi-Channel Value | Strong resale for 8/12-channel XLS+ | High demand for 8/12-channel Research plus | Tie |
The Verdict:
In the Bay Area market, Rainin often moves faster and at a slight premium due to the sheer volume of local labs already locked into the LTS tip ecosystem. Globally, Eppendorf edges ahead slightly in pure value retention because any lab in the world can integrate them using generic, low-cost universal tips.
4. 4 Ways to Maximize Your Pipette Liquidation Value
Whether you are liquidating a single bench or an entire pharmaceutical facility, you can increase your payout by prepping your assets properly:
- Keep the Channels Matching: Single-channel pipettes are easy to sell, but matching sets of 8-channel and 12-channel pipettes command premium bulk pricing from liquidators.
- Include Calibration Records: If you have recent calibration stickers or certificates from an ISO-certified service, it proves the internal pistons and seals are intact. This can boost resale value by 15–20%.
- Bundle the Accessories: Don’t throw away pipette stands, charging carousels, or leftover boxes of tips. Bundling accessories reduces friction for the next buyer and increases your lot value.
- Decontaminate Thoroughly: Clean, chemical-free, and autoclaved pipettes fetch higher prices. Ensure you provide a signed decontamination form when handing them over to a liquidator.
Ready to Liquidate Your Bay Area Lab?
Don't let surplus equipment gather dust and lose value. At LabNob, we specialize in helping Bay Area biotech companies, clinical labs, and research facilities liquidate high-end liquid handling equipment. Whether you have a batch of Rainin XLS+ pipettes or a fleet of Eppendorf centrifuges, we offer hassle-free asset valuation and cleanout services.
👉 Contact LabNob today to get a free valuation on your surplus lab equipment.
Pipettes Calibration Level
Non-ISO level 1 simple Calibration
Non-ISO level 1 simple Calibration
2 test 10% and 100%
Non-ISO level 2 calibration
Non-ISO level 2 calibration
Test Plan: As “Left” Measurements – (3 volumes x 3 samples)
Documentation Provided: Calibration Summary Report
Add On Service: Optional Calibration Certificate for Each Pipette
ISO Calibration Level 3
ISO Calibration Level 3
Test Plan: “As Left” (3 volumes x 3 samples)
Documentation Provided: ISO Calibration Certificate
ISO Calibration Level 4
ISO Calibration Level 4
Test Plan: “As Left” (3 volumes x 3 samples) and “As Found” Measurements (3 volumes x 5 samples) Documentation Provided: ISO Calibration Certificate
Advanced ISO calibration - 8655
Advanced ISO calibration - 8655
ISO 8655 includes traceability information, monitoring of the environmental conditions, and additional “as left” samples Test Plan: “As Calibrated” (3 volumes x 10 samples) and “As Found” Measurements (3 volumes x 10 samples) Documentation Provided: ISO Calibration Certificate
DIY Microplate reader Calibration
Agilent
Agilent
We offer the standard plate, customer pay the renting fee, deposit and shipping fee.
Molecular Device
Molecular Device
We offer the standard plate, customer pay the renting fee, deposit and shipping fee.
Tecan
Tecan
We offer the standard plate, customer pay the renting fee, deposit and shipping fee.