As technology goes through its endless cycles, there's an awful lot of
used equipment hitting the market. Seattle-based RE-PC just says: Bring
it on. Co-founder Mark Dabek chats about refurbishing, the environment,
and speaking geek.
How did RE-PC get started?
Back in the late '80s there was a developing market for used computer
equipment and my business partner Steve Hess and I began buying various
used equipment, parts, and computers. We began refurbishing, testing,
and reselling them either through newspaper ads or local swap meets. We
had discussed often the idea that we might be able to create a store
that we could operate fulltime.
A large computer repair business here in Seattle had opened a
combination repair/used equipment store and were looking to divest
themselves of the used equipment part and they contacted me and said
"Why don't you buy it?"
So I talked it over with Steve and we figured we might just make it
work. Then, out of the blue, the name came to me--recycled PCs...RE-PC!.
This fit in perfectly with our concept of truly recycling the materials
as well as providing a low cost alternative to the high priced new
machines.
Why do you feel there's a need for what you provide?
It was obvious from the beginning--at least to us--that a great resource
was being wasted. Companies were just tossing old equipment and
proliferating the environment with tons of toxic stuff and the price for
new computers was still quite high.
We have been recycling computer materials in a responsible fashion since
we opened in 1994.
How does the company fit into the used equipment market?
I like to call us a "computer retail recycler." We're different than
most of the other used dealers in that we emphasize the proper recycling
of as much of the material we receive in the form of reuse, repair,
refurbishing, and reselling.
We also offer companies and individual citizens a way to deal with their
surplus equipment in a way that assures them that we're not going to
just dump or ship our excess wastes offshore.
We disassemble non-resellable units and recycle the circuit boards for
precious metal content and send the scrap metal to a metals processor.
All of our CRTs that are end-of-life go to a facility that recycles the
lead in them. In addition, our stores offer a more personal approach to
the computer experience.
We have a lot of knowledgeable people who actually interact with the
customers--you know, like the old days.
Have you found that companies and individuals are more interested in
refurbishment now than in the past?
Definitely. I think this is in part due to the excellent efforts of
several organizations that have educated the public regarding the danger
of just dumping the various toxic materials used in computers as well as
people like us, who have been recycling this stuff for nearly 11 years.
It's interesting to note that when we started, we were the only used
computer dealer in the Seattle area, now there are about five or six.
What do you like best about what you do?
It's gratifying to know that we've been able to provide a service to
people. Offering computers and peripherals at a price that those with
less resources can afford, knowing we've been a factor in the effort to
preserve the environment, providing employment and training for many
who've worked for us, and being able to make a living and have stores
where folks can come and "speak geek"--or at least learn the jargon.
We're very grateful that we've been able to do this for as long as we
have.
do you know a local company we should cover? Let us know about it.
Send your local profile candidates to emillard@computeruser.com.
