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Furthermore, he must make an inventory of what is in store
(material and tested material), in order not to have to repeat work
endlessly. The companies which take the trouble to check all the
electric and electronic material they buy admit that a far from
negligible proportion of the instruments delivered is partly defective
or does not comply with tolerances on delivery. A few years ago a
survey showed that the percentage of rejected instruments could reach
50%. This is partly explained by the fact that the stated characteristics
are obtained by the manufacturers, in a laboratory and in ideal
conditions of use; and this situation is very remote from the user’s
reality. Tests of assessment preliminary to purchase would be greatly
recommended. However, in frequent cases, the instruments that can
perform the same function are many in number, the parameters of
each of them are numerous and, consequently, the tests are long and
expensive. So, before launching into testing, any person who is
interested in purchasing an instrument is entitled to ask the salesman
the following questions:
– Have any tests been done? If the answer is yes, when? Where? By
whom? In which domain? Is a report of the tests available?
– How long has the instrument been manufactured? How many copies
of it have been produced?
– Has stopping its production been considered?
– Who has bought it? Is it possible to consult users?
Once you have got this information, and if tests seem necessary,
you have to choose between doing them yourself or subcontracting
them to a better-equipped organization whose results cannot be
questioned. A distinction must be made between learning about a
instrument which is presented by a salesman and having its
characteristics verified by a specialized laboratory. Once again,
evidence arises of the importance of good relationships (partnership
even) with the manufacturers of the instrument and of their obligation
to pass on information in a transparent and unrestricted way. However,
the role of the buyer is not simple. He must estimate whether the
supplier is capable of keeping to the agreed times in general: time of
delivery, time of assistance after the sale. Besides, it seems to be of
paramount importance that the team responsible for maintaining the
instruments, as well as the users, should be involved in choosing the
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