Safes are a great step towards better security but come with a high price tag. This raises questions like: “Couldn’t I just buy a used safe?” “What’s the difference?” “Does the condition of the safe determine how secure it is?”
Safes come with a lot of knowledge, and our experts at Anderson Lock & Safe have all of these answers and more.
Will a used safe still provide protection?
If you decide to buy a second-hand safe and do so via a private seller, it’s hard to tell. From a private seller, you can’t guarantee that any other master combinations or safe keys have been made. Wear and tear on a safe is normal to come across. Without the inspection from a professional, it’s a tough call as to whether or not this can compromise security.
While features on newer safes are great for security (i.e. bio-metric locks), this doesn’t mean a standard safe won’t do the trick. At the end of the day, a safe is a safe – it’s built to keep your belongings protected. If you’re concerned about specific types of protection, safes both old and new are sold for different purposes. This is especially true for fire and gun safes!
In short, a used safe will still provide protection. However, to ensure this protection isn’t compromised, we 100% recommend buying from a licensed retailer or reseller. This way, security assessments can be done on your safe. They can also be properly installed without worry. If you lose a key or combination, this reseller will always be able to provide services to help you out!
The Pros: Benefits of Used and Refurbished Safes
Safes come in all shapes and sizes and the standards are constantly changing. Refurbished or used safes often can meet specific needs for size, weight, and fitting requirements. Some safes go out of production but may fit all of your desired dimensions – your best bet, in this case, is to shop around with an authorized reseller!
Depending on the safe, you can really achieve a bang for your buck. Some safe models offer better security than the newest safes out there. If this is the case, it’s best to shop around and look at your options. Again, the safe itself will ultimately determine the protection of your belongings, so it’s important to shop smart.
The Cons: The Not-So-Great Parts
Safes are built to last, and they never fall short. However, the maintenance that can come with these safes is a different story. This applies to older safes that have wear and tear especially.
Installing, moving, and maintaining safes is a tough job. Safes are predictable, but make sure if you decide to buy a used safe that it is in good condition. If not, you may run into the following issues:
- Damage from previous break-in attempts may affect the functionality of the safe
- If purchased from a private seller, you’ll spend more money maintaining the safe and its demands
- A private seller does not have the authorization to change combinations – if purchased from a locksmith or safe shop, these privileges are available 24/7
- It lacks your protection needs – do your research and make sure you’re covering all ground
So you want to buy a refurbished safe the RIGHT way – how does it work?
Be an informed buyer! DON’T fall for crazy unbelievable prices. DO find the right retailer to help you shop for your safe. AVOID private or unknown sellers, and purchasing safes with visible wear such as rust.
We at Anderson Lock & Safe love our safes – we aim to inform and educate to our customers. We have a safe buyer’s guide which can be found here.