A used trade show display can be a smart purchase. Many pre-owned booths and exhibits have been well cared for and are in excellent condition, and can be bought for less than 50% of the cost of a brand new one.

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First, decide what you need for your booth.

To take advantage of the best bargains you'll uncover, it helps to be a little flexible. Make a list of the features your trade show booth needs, but don't be too fixated on a particular style or model of display.

Try to stay open-ended. As you peruse used displays, keep your feature list in mind and visualize how each used exhibit might fill your needs.

Pre-owned trade show displays are often sold for low prices if they're missing some parts. If you can think creatively about how you'll replace the missing pieces, you can come up with an effective, original display for very little cash.

For example, a pop up display that's in good condition except for some missing fabric panels can be a steal if you can come up with an effective way to replace the missing panels. You might use a photo mural in place of the fabric panels to create a visual impact that makes the pop up display an even more useful piece than it would have been in its original condition.

Determine your budget for the display before you start shopping, and stick to it. Factor in a little extra money for any repair or replacement of missing parts.

Many sellers of pre-owned trade show displays are willing to bargain with you. Don't hesitate to offer the seller less than the asking price. It helps to know the retail price for the exhibit so you can make a reasonable offer.