Something has changed in recent years. More employees are turning to their employer and asking: "Do we really have to buy new?"
It may be about computers, phones, furniture or kitchen equipment for the staff room. Employees who privately buy used, repair and reuse bring that mindset to the workplace. And they have a point.
Also: not everything sold at auction is even used. Surplus stock, e-commerce returns in unopened packaging and samples that have never been used are regularly sold through Budi. Sometimes you get a completely new product at a price far below new retail price. Even when the product is unused, it is still reuse, because otherwise it risks being discarded.
A change in attitude
Buying used has moved from something done out of necessity to something done out of conviction. It is visible not only among private individuals, but also in how companies think about purchasing and sustainability.
Companies notice it in daily operations. Employees ask why the office orders brand new furniture when used furniture of the same quality exists. IT departments get questions about why everyone needs the latest computer or phone model when a newer used device does the job.
It is not about lowering ambition. It is about values and smarter resource use.
The economics are clear
Buying used saves money, sometimes a lot of money. Here are some concrete examples:
Office furniture. A desk or office chair from a quality manufacturer can cost thousands of kronor new. Used, you can often find the same brand and model at a fraction of the price, in excellent condition. High-quality furniture is built to last for decades.
IT equipment. A laptop that is one or two years old often works perfectly for office work. The price is often significantly lower than new, while the equipment can still have many useful years left.
Phones. Company phones rarely need to be the latest model. A phone from the previous generation handles email, calls and the apps most people need for work.
Restaurant and kitchen equipment. If the company has a staff kitchen or café, used professional kitchen equipment can provide major savings compared with new.
The savings become especially clear during office setups, moves or expansions, when many purchases are made at the same time.
Sustainability that can be measured
Buying used means products that have already been manufactured continue to be used instead of being replaced with newly produced items. This reduces emissions, resource use and waste.
For companies reporting under CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive) or with their own sustainability goals, documented purchases of used equipment can be a concrete and measurable action.
Naturvårdsverket points out that sustainable consumption and production is central to the transition to circular economy, and that applies to companies as much as private individuals.
"But is it not complicated?"
That is a common objection, but it is not true. Buying used equipment through an online auction is today as simple as ordering new.
The process in short:
- Create a company account on Budi. It is quick with BankID.
- Search and filter among thousands of objects. Choose category, location and price range.
- Bid on what you want. You see the full bidding history and compete openly.
- Pay smoothly. For larger purchases, companies can pay by invoice, just like ordinary purchases.
- Collect or arrange delivery. We have locations across Sweden, and logistics solutions are available.
The process can often move quickly, from finding the object to placing a bid or completing the purchase. Compare that with delivery times of weeks or months for some newly manufactured products.
Examples of what companies buy used
This is not just theory. Companies already buy used to a large extent, and they do it across many categories:
- Office interiors. Desks, office chairs, shelving systems, conference tables, lighting. Often from other companies renovating or moving premises.
- IT and electronics. Laptops, screens, servers, printers. Equipment from leasing returns often appears in very good condition.
- Phones. Company mobiles one or two generations old, fully functional and often with original accessories.
- Tools and machines. Everything from hand tools to industrial machines. Professional equipment from brands such as Makita, Festool and Husqvarna lasts a long time.
- Restaurant equipment. Combi ovens, refrigerators, dishwashers and stainless steel workbenches. Professional equipment built to handle daily use for years.
- Vehicles. Company cars, vans and light trucks. Often from leasing providers with documented service history.
How to get started
If you want to start buying used for your company, here are practical tips:
Start with one category. Choose something easy to test, such as office furniture or IT equipment at the next purchase. It lowers the threshold.
Involve employees. Often, they already want this. Asking colleagues whether they would consider used office chairs or computers usually gets a positive response.
Set a simple policy. It does not have to be complicated. A sentence such as "when purchasing equipment, used alternatives should be investigated first" goes a long way.
Document the saving. Both financial and environmental. It provides material for sustainability reporting and makes it easier to justify continued purchases.
It is common sense
Buying used as a company is neither radical nor complicated. It is common sense. You save money, reduce environmental impact and show employees, customers and partners that you take sustainability seriously in practice, not only in policy documents.
And if your employees are already asking for it? Then you have the answer.
Buy used through Budi
On Budi, you can find a broad selection of used equipment for companies: office furniture, IT equipment, tools, restaurant equipment, vehicles and much more. You create a company account for free, can pay by invoice for larger purchases and collect objects at one of our locations around Sweden.