Why You Might Not Want to Get Your Lab Supplies from Amazon:
Posted by Maxi Scientific on Sep 23rd 2024
When it comes to running a lab, you need reliable, consistent, high-quality supplies to keep your operations running smoothly...especially when it comes to your next ISO audit. It might seem convenient to hop on Amazon and order some low-priced supplies, but there are some real drawbacks to going that route for your lab. Here’s what Amazon won’t do for you, and what Maxi Scientific will do all day, everyday:
1. No Expert Support on Amazon
Amazon: When you need help choosing the right pipettes, incubator, or freezer for your lab, Amazon’s customer service doesn't have the technical expertise to guide you. You’re left to sift through reviews (43% of Amazon reviews are fake*) and product descriptions that are written by e-commerce experts, not laboratory experts, and may not have all the relevant information.
Maxi Scientific: We provide expert laboratory support from a team made up of friendly people with actual lab experience (or at least a bio/biochem degree), who understand all your technical jargon. Whether you’re running a biotech lab or a high-throughput CRO, our team is ready to answer your questions with accuracy and smiles!
2. Inconsistent Product Quality
Amazon: Over the past 10 years Amazon has been flooded with low quality third-party sellers. You risk receiving counterfeit or substandard products that won't last long (maybe JUST after the return window closes...), especially for high-demand items like vials, reagents, labware, and equipment.
Maxi Scientific: At Maxi Scientific, we carefully vet all our suppliers to ensure every product meets or exceeds industry standards for not only quality, but also consistency in manufacturing, to ensure that you'll get consistent, repeatable results every time, and won't have to think about it again! 99% of our products have been working wonderfully in labs all over the country with great success, and they'll work for you as well!
3. Limited Lab-Specific Selection
Amazon: While Amazon may have some general lab supplies, their selection is often incomplete or lacks the specialized items needed for highly specific or technical scientific applications. Finding exactly what you need can be like finding a needle in a haystack.
Maxi Scientific: Your lab's needs come FIRST when it comes to the products that we offer! From HPLC columns to Derivatization Reagents for GC to PCR workstations, we stock the things you need, saving you time and ensuring you get exactly what you're looking for!
4. Generic, Poorly Detailed Product Descriptions
Amazon: Product descriptions on Amazon are often minimal and generic, leaving out key details like compliance certifications, temperature ranges, or material composition. This leads to confusion and mistakes in ordering the right supplies.
Maxi Scientific: We provide in-depth, accurate product descriptions, complete with detailed specifications, industry certifications, and use-case scenarios. You’ll know exactly what you’re buying before it ever arrives at your door.
And if there's something we missed, please reach out to us in the Chat window and let us know so we can fix it!
5. Custom Supplies/Equipment
Amazon: Ever needed something customized for your lab? Amazon can't/won't do that for you.
Maxi Scientific: We provide custom-orders all the time! From microbiolocal plates to sample bags to specialized vials, we can and WILL get it for you!
6. Risky Third-Party Sellers
Amazon: Many items are sold through third-party sellers on Amazon, and not all are reliable. Some may delay shipping, send the wrong product, or fail to provide adequate post-purchase support.
Maxi Scientific: We are a trusted supplier with a commitment to reliability and consistency. You’ll never have to worry about receiving incorrect or damaged items, and we stand by our products with over-the-top customer service every step of the way, so in the event something does go sideways, we'll be here for you to fix it ASAP!
7. No Quality Control Assurance
Amazon: On Amazon, there’s no guarantee that the lab supplies you order meet the stringent industry standards that your work demands. Certifications like ISO, CE, or FDA approval may not be included—or even mentioned.
Maxi Scientific: We ensure that every product we sell meets strict industry and regulatory standards. ALL of our products are manufactured in ISO-certified facilities, and these facilities many times carry other certifications as well! Just ask your rep to send them to you and they'll send you everything you need to pass your audits and ensure that you're using only the best-of-the-best!
8. Unreliable Storage
Amazon: Amazon is an e-commerce company that is dedicated to selling everything. That comes with the caveat that they aren't sensitive to the fact that some items shouldn't sit in a hot warehouse over a weekend, or be stored in suboptimal environments.
Maxi Scientific: We know lab stuff. We know shipping and storage requirements for everything for your lab, and we'll always make sure those are adhered to with the greatest reliability, so your items arrive exactly how they should for you to be able to use them right out of the box!
9. No Long-Term Relationships with Amazon
Amazon: Each purchase on Amazon is a one-time transaction. There’s no relationship or history that can be built with your supplier, which means you’re left on your own when future needs arise...
Maxi Scientific: Long-term relationships is the bedrock upon which our whole company is founded! From ongoing support to regular promotions and personalized, tailored recommendations, we’re with you for the long haul! You and your lab are unique, and we'll treat you that way, every single day!
10. Amazon Doesn't Care
Amazon: Amazon is a trillion-dollar company. They don't care if you need extra funding or if your lab goes totally under. They'll just move on to the next lab.
Maxi Scientific: We care about your lab's success almost as much as you do! Need a new Lab Tech? We'll connect you with a few in your area! Need connections for your next funding round? We'll get you those as well!