http://confocal-microscopy-list.275.s1.nabble.com/financing-a-multi-photon-microscopy-facility-tp7581194p7581198.html
We have bought all our confocals with 5 years full service contract paid up front. This was announced already in the tender process so suppliers squeezed their price a bit. Buying years of service contract this way usually means that the cost per year is greatly reduced compared to buying it after the warranty has passed. We find that it is also easier to finance since it comes as a package.
Our laser (Coherent Chameleon) was more like 100000€ but in any case we have had it changed totally once and parts changed over the past 4 years so we are very happy we have a full service contract!
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Confocal Microscopy List
> [mailto:
[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Seitz Arne
> Sent: 31 October 2013 12:02
> To:
[hidden email]
> Subject: Re: financing a multi-photon microscopy facility
>
> Dear Karin,
>
> we are having a service contact for the 2P laser. Thus, if it breaks we can
> immediately replace it. To my understanding this is the optimal solution. The
> service contact can be either paid from the budget or already included into the
> purchase of the laser (which is the better alternative).
> User charges to recover 100% of the costs are to my understanding illusory. But
> they might nevertheless help to recover at least part of the cost. We are charging
> twice the price for a 2P system compared to a 1P confocal system.
> Alternatively you can ask the labs who are using the instrument to pay a yearly
> lump-sum for the service costs. You have to make them aware that the 2P laser will
> break sooner or later and that the instrument is unusable from that point on.
>
> Best regards
> Arne
>
>
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Confocal Microscopy List
> > [mailto:
[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Katrin Roth
> > Sent: jeudi 31 octobre 2013 11:08
> > To:
[hidden email]
> > Subject: financing a multi-photon microscopy facility
> >
> > *****
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http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy> > *****
> >
> > Dear Confocal listserv members,
> >
> > I just started as core facility manager for multi-photon microscopy.
> > In the moment we are applying for a machine. The money for the
> > multi-photon microscope and accessory is already conceded by federal
> > state. We consider how the facility with service, repair and reserve
> > fund for a new laser could be financed. The structure here consists
> > different departments of university (from clinics to biology) which
> > all have their own budgets and will use the multi-photon microscope.
> > For the confocal microscopes and the spinning disc microscope at
> > university a charge for system use must be paid. In my opinion this
> > will be difficult for a multi-photon microscope as the prize for a new laser is up
> to 200000€.
> >
> > I would be glad to receive some information how is it organized in
> > your facility.
> >
> > All the best!
> > Katrin
> >
> > Katrin Roth
> > Philipps-University of Marburg
> > Institute of Molecular Biology and Tumor Research (IMT) Core Facility
> > Multi- Photon Microscopy Emil-Mannkopff-Str. 2
> > 35032 Marburg
> > Germany
> > Tel: +49 6421 28 63113