Archive for the ‘Used Cubicles’ Category

Office Furniture Storage: Cubicles

Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010

storage cubiclesAre you going through a period of downsizing that involves moving to a smaller office space? You may need to put some of your office furniture in storage. Cubicles are often relatively simple to break down and take up much less space when they are stored as separate components instead of full workstations. Here are a few tips for making sure they remain in good condition and are easy to reassemble when you need them again:

Accurate Inventory – Label each part prior to or during disassembly. This is especially important if not all of your cubicle models are identical. Use masking tape and only stick it to areas where it won’t leave an unsightly adhesive residue after removal. Make a full list of how many cubes you have – including sizes and accessories (work surfaces, shelving, etc).

Protection – When possible, layer panels between cardboard or moving blankets. This will keep metal and laminate surfaces from being scratched. Keep fabric panels away from sunlight or they may fade. Secure the stored panels firmly in place so they don’t fall over and injure an employee.

Evaluating Cubicles For Sale By Owner

Friday, June 4th, 2010

For sale signNot every set of used cubicles on the market is bought up by a dealership. Some companies that are liquidating their workstations choose to sell directly to other employers. If you see an ad listing cubicles for sale locally, this might be a chance to pick up gently used furniture at a low price. Or, you might end up with broken, badly worn cubicles that look shabby and have pieces missing. Here’s how to tell a good deal from a bad one.

Does the owner know the brand?

The first question you should ask is about the furniture brand. If you buy high quality cubicles like Steelcase, Teknion, or Herman Miller second hand, they might easily have another decade of use in them. An off-brand that was originally constructed out of cheap materials may be falling apart already.

If you can get the collection name too, you will have a better idea whether the cubicles for sale will fit your office space. Not all designs are rectangular. Some can be configured in a honeycomb format that actually saves room while making each workstation feel larger. These are an especially good deal.

What’s included?

The seller should be willing to offer accurate information on what’s included in the deal. When some people use the term “cubicle”, they mean an entire workstation with overhead storage and a desk. Others are just referring to the panels. That’s an important point to clarify so you know if the pricing is high or low.

If the owner has kept their original packing slip from when the cubicles were first purchased, this makes a handy inventory checklist. Ask the seller if there are any parts missing. If so, you will need to negotiate a lower price to make up for the pieces you will need to buy from the manufacturer as replacements.

Are There Photos?

broken cubicleTo save you and the seller both some time, it makes sense to view sample photos before you arrange to look at the cubicles for sale in person. Inquire about the overall condition and ask for close ups of a few areas of wear and tear or damage so you can see if refurbishing is required.

Calculate Total Cost

Cubicle for SaleOnce you have determined the condition of the cubicles, you can compare the pricing to similar items for sale by local used office furniture dealers. Remember that the cost and time involved in breaking down, transporting, and reassembling the cubicles will probably fall on you when buying directly from the previous owner. If you don’t have the experience or equipment to handle this, you will need to hire professionals to help out. This can make a difference in whether or not you are really getting a bargain.

Buying and Selling Cubicle Systems: San Diego a Hot Spot

Wednesday, May 26th, 2010

Want AdDid you know there is a “Craig’s List” of sorts for buying and selling cubicle systems? San Diego, Dallas, St. Louis, Clearwater – plenty of big cities are featured on the Systemsnews.com website. This information clearinghouse lets office furniture companies advertise their wares and liquidation services. They also provide space for people to request leads on items they need. This might be entire cubicles or just end finish pieces or other components. Unfortunately, most of the current listings on this site appear to be inactive – either deleted or expired.

Folks looking for items that are compatible with their existing systems might have better luck trying the manufacturer. Of course, that does mean paying full price. Plus, you’re out of luck if a particular component has been discontinued. If you are seeking specific parts for your older cubicle systems, San Diego used office furniture dealers who know all the best places to look might be able to source these for you. That’s a good approach to try if you don’t feel like placing an ad and taking your chances on an online transaction with someone you’ve never met.

Cubicle Fun Facts – Have You Ever Used Cubicles For A Social Experiment?

Wednesday, March 10th, 2010

38 Outdoor cubicleTake a look at this cool video and see passersby having the time of their lives in a faux office workstation in a very unusual setting. This is probably the first time anyone has used cubicles to create a psychological experiment that doubles as street theater. YouTube user JPAndreoni set up a cubicle complete with a fake phone and computer on the sidewalk of a busy city street. His team even added a water cooler to solidify the impression of being in a typical office environment.

He developed this concept to explore the idea that folks in Western societies feel most comfortable interacting with each other in a work setting. To quote JP, “By placing a work related object in the public space I created a “safe zone” for people to socialize and/or network without feeling awkward.” It certainly had the desired effect!

Used Knoll Cubicles – Manager Workstations

Monday, February 8th, 2010

26 Used Knoll WorkstationWhat’s the difference between used Knoll cubicles and new ones? That’s not a riddle. The answer is simple. It’s the amount of money you have leftover when you buy pre-owned office furniture. When an item is listed as “like new” it means we hardly have to touch it to make it ready for your office environment. That’s the case with a whole fleet of manager workstations in our warehouse right now.

Used furniture is even more cost effective than refurbished. It’s an excellent choice if you can find components that blend well with your existing decor. That’s one of the reasons we like the Reff collection. Classic, warm wood tones are a perfect match for lots of different work environments. One additional perk with these manager stations is the sliding door. It turns a simple cubicle into an instant office for your mid-level employees.

Used Teknion Cubicles Offer Like-New Value

Thursday, January 28th, 2010

23 BoulevardTeknion is an excellent office furniture brand with a great reputation for component longevity. This is one of the reasons it is often resold rather than simply being scrapped. With a little touch up or a full refurbishing, used Teknion cubicles can be as good as new. They cost much less than new panel systems while still delivering great value. Here are 3 of the most popular systems to choose from if you are buying second hand:

Boulevard

Take a stroll along a line of Boulevard cubes and you will see a system with remarkable flexibility. Height can be added without taking a workstation apart. Overpanels can simply be stacked up as high as you like. Need a change of color? The panel fabric can be replaced in-situ as well.

Data cabling can be fed through the metal raceway at the bottom. You can run additional cables up top through a removable cap; both channels may be connected with an optional vertical cable manager. The entire panel system is easy to reconfigure using the universal post and single “knuckle-loc” connectivity.

23TransitTransit

For an office that requires a broad range of choices for configuration, Transit is on the right track. The on/off modularity of this system allows you to position components such as storage, work surfaces, and power access at any point on the panel. This makes it simple for you to fit everything in place without paying extra for customization.

In addition to an astonishing range of materials and finishes, Transit offers even more choices when used in conjunction with other Teknion products. For example, the Lyft space division system integrates to give you extraordinary load bearing capacity. You can tap into this sturdy structure at 15” intervals to make full use of vertically configured components.

23TOST/O/S

If you have an office furniture SOS, try Teknion’s T/O/S cubicles. This efficient system is designed with performance in mind. The simple, clean design of these panels can incorporate many different applications while simplifying inventory administration. Interchangeability is built in.

The frames for this panel system are noted for strength and durability. They also support plenty of cable capacity and make access readily available at work surface height. You can choose Elements panels to quickly update the look of your office environment at any time. Each side of these panels can feature a different design.

Knoll Cubicles: Reff Stands for Refined

Wednesday, January 27th, 2010

22Reff CubicleSometimes, modern plastic laminates and grey steel just don’t give your workspace the feel you are looking for. When this happens, you can turn to Knoll cubicles in the Reff line for a solution. They are bringing back the most basic of furniture materials – wood. These quality veneer products come in 18 different finishes that deliver beauty and refinement throughout your work environment. The theme can be carried into your executive offices to supply the same distinctive appearance.

Even with the wood based nature of this system, it still meets Knoll’s high standards for sustainability. It also doesn’t leave anything out when it comes to handling your technical needs. The Reff collection just makes high-tech look high-class. You can mix in glass, metals, fashionable textiles, and trims to create a vision of confident success for your office space.

Fun Facts: Telemarketing Cubicle Art

Monday, January 25th, 2010

21In_Out_againWhen most people talk about telemarketing cubicle art, they are referring to a print or poster you can put in your cube to make it more visually interesting. However, there is another kind of artwork that has to do with the modern, enclosed workstation. Simon Currell is a British artist who brings his creative talent to bear on this seemingly mundane topic.

Currell’s piece “In Out Again” features a row of identical cubes with overhead fluorescents shining their stark light over the commoditized workplace environment. Simon’s says he draws inspiration from his own experience as a call center employee. Art aficionados will no doubt find the repetitious nature of these telemarketing cubicle images reminiscent of Warhol’s famous soup can painting. The whole Currell collection is brilliant, so take a moment to browse – just don’t get lost in the maze!

Maxon Cubicles – Verse and Versatility

Thursday, January 21st, 2010

19verseworkstationsThe Verse collection of Maxon cubicles is a grow-as-you go dream for the DIY office manager. These ultra simple panels can be integrated with the manufacturer’s modular Series 1000 & 2000 desks, but they are also intended for use with any system. Just slap together a few panels and use them to wrap your existing workstations. Make a cubicle or series of enclosures in minutes and simply add on new ones as needed.

Partitions can also be connected to construct dividers of any length to break up your office into sections. All that’s required for this are some extra T-base stabilizing feet to keep the “wall” from being knocked over. With plenty of widths and heights to choose from, you will be sure to find a set of panels to fit your space. You can even use them to create a reception station for your front office.

Verse Connection

19verseconnectorsThese Maxon cubicles are super easy to assemble. No tools are required. There are two connection angles available: 180 degree straights and 90 degree corners. Snap on 2, 3, or 4 way connectors at the top and bottom of each panel. Slide the panels together until they touch, and voila – a Verse workstation is born!

When you use Verse with Maxon desking systems, the panels may also be fastened to the desk surface to make the entire structure more resilient. Partitions can also be connected to the wall with brackets for additional support.

Partition Accessories

19versepanelsYou’ll definitely want extra reinforcement if you plan to attach shelving (which can also be installed tool-free). Secure overhead cabinets complete with locking mechanisms are another option to consider.  These steel-door bins flip open for easy access. Shelves and cabinets can both be finished to match the paint on the panel frames.

Cost-Saving Panels

If you are looking for the most budget-friendly Maxon cubicles, Verse is where you should start. You can select their basic partitions with no padding (just fabric over MDF board) or the P-Series with 1/8” of added foam. For offices with limited data and power needs, the manufacturer offers panels with no raceway.

Frames feature 1” steel tubes on the sides and the top edge. The metal surfaces are powder coated with epoxy that is baked on to create a rust and chip resistant finish. Color options for the frames are limited to black, gray, charcoal, and taupe. However, you have more choices when it comes to the panel fabric. Mauve is a particularly attractive selection for these Maxon cubicles if you want a break from earth tones.

Offload Used Cubicles: San Diego Businesses Can Get Cash

Thursday, January 14th, 2010

17moneyThere’s no better time than the start of a new year to think about making a clean sweep of your office furniture. What will you do about getting rid of all your used cubicles? San Diego’s city landfill certainly doesn’t need to be the final destination for your old equipment. It’s expected to be completely filled and shut down by 2017!

Fortunately, your panel systems can have a second life – and you can get a little money out of the deal. Of course, if your old furniture is still in decent shape we might be interested in taking a gander at your used cubicles. San Diego is our stomping ground and refurbishing office furniture is one of our specialties. You also have the option of contacting one of the national liquidation companies.

Here’s what you need to do to ensure you get a good deal:

  • Document what you are selling – without an accurate inventory, you won’t be able to determine a fair asking price.
  • Be honest about the condition your cubes are in. Age and the amount of actual wear & tear affect the value of your used equipment.
  • Don’t settle for the first quote you receive. It doesn’t take much effort to contact several liquidators instead of just one.
  • Remember to discuss tax implications with your accounting department before you make a deal to sell your old furniture.

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