Regardless of what some of the network equipment manufacturers might say, used networking equipment is a reality of life. The problem is that they're some folks out there that are preying on the unsuspecting by selling them gear that's fallen off the back of the truck. The good news is that there is a thriving association of businesses that have banded together to remove the Hollywood image of a back alley shyst Regardless of what some of the network equipment manufacturers might say, used networking equipment is a reality of life. The problem is that they’re some folks out there that are preying on the unsuspecting by selling them gear that’s fallen off the back of the truck. The good news is that there is a thriving association of businesses that have banded together to remove the Hollywood image of a back alley shyster. Who is UNEDA?UNEDA is an alliance of more than 300 of the top used network equipment dealers worldwide. These secondary market suppliers work together to promote industry best practices, ensure the highest standards of product quality, and eradicate counterfeit and fraud in the secondary market.Why You Need UNEDAOur mission is to ensure that the secondary equipment market is an affordable, safe and reliable alternative to purchasing new networking equipment. With combined annual revenues of more than 2 billion dollars, UNEDA members provide millions of pieces of equipment to tens of thousands of customers each year.Highest Standards for Product Quality and Service. As in any industry, the secondary network equipment market includes providers offering products and services at varying levels of quality and integrity. UNEDA is a community of secondary market suppliers committed to maintaining the highest standards in product procurement, inspection, testing, warranty and post-sale service practices. Look for UNEDA members to ensure that you are purchasing equipment from reliable sources. Exposing & Prosecuting Counterfeit and Fraud. Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) acknowledge that counterfeit has penetrated their authorized channel, yet there are few resources publicly available to educate buyers against this threat. With unmatched experience in current and past-generation equipment, secondary market equipment providers are the frontline in the battle to protect buyers from counterfeit, theft and fraud in the secondary market. UNEDA members work closely with various law enforcement agencies to identify and prosecute offenders.This wonderful organization was brought to my attention by Gillian Canty-Ross of SubSpacecom.com a member out of Atlanta. As a spouse of a long time Interop NOC team member, the past-noc is a group that has a long history of helping each other out on projects (we do LOTS of community service) and private projects. Many of us would not have been able to get our project/company/school/etc off the ground if we had to purchase everything new. I should point out to the Network Equipment Manufactures (NEMS) out there that used equipment should be viewed as a golden opportunity to print money. Once we get on our feet, the equipment that helped us get there is ripe for service contracts and free white hot leads! It’s just a shame that some NEMS have decided to look only at the short term loss of new equipment sales, and make it difficult to get contracts on used gear. It’s a sale that you wouldn’t have gotten anyway, and now is the time to buddy up to that startup and make them your best buddy and pal. Salesmanship101 dude! So to Gilly (aka Gillian Canty-Ross) and the rest of the members of UNEDA, my hat is off to you and I wish you folks MANY years of success and good luck on putting those back alley shysters out of business. Stolen gear is bad, properly checked out and supported used gear is good….thanks for the lead Gilly…. /brian chee Technology Industry