Knowledge Base
How to Use the Site
The complete, no-nonsense guide to LegacyLabSupplies.com — how to find gear, read a product page, quote, buy, manage your account, and get help. Every feature, explained plainly.
Start Here
Legacy Lab Supplies is an authorized distributor of professional laboratory equipment from five manufacturers — Benchmark Scientific (including Accuris and Hermle), Yamato Scientific, Haier Biomedical, Scientemp, and True Scientific. The catalog spans 2,100+ products, from a single replacement part to a full lab buildout, with no minimum order.
We built this site to work the way lab buying should work: honest specs sourced from the manufacturer, prices on the page, spec sheets you can download without logging in, and an account system whose rules we actually publish. This guide walks the whole site end to end. Most lab suppliers make you call for everything and explain nothing — so here is everything.
You do not need an account to use the core of the site. Browse, download docs, build a cart, request a quote, and check out as a guest. An account simply adds history, tracking, saved documents, and the higher tiers.
Finding Products
There are five ways in, and you can mix them freely.
Search (with typo tolerance)
The header search bar matches on SKU and product name as you type, with live suggestions showing the name, SKU, and manufacturer. It is forgiving — if you mistype "centrafuge" it still surfaces centrifuges. Press Enterto jump straight to the closest match's product page.
The Mega-Menu
The top navigation opens full-width panels:
- •Products — capital-equipment categories (Cold Storage, Thermal Processing, Centrifuges, Life Science, Mixing & Agitation, Analytical & Weighing, Safety & Care), plus accessories and parts, and "Shop All Products."
- •Supplies & Reagents — reagents & kits, labware & glassware, sample prep, and equipment consumables.
- •Brands — jump to any of our five manufacturers, each showing its live product count.
- •Resources — this Knowledge Base, the Document Center, buying guides, and The Lab Ledger.
On mobile, the same structure lives behind the hamburger menu as expandable accordions.
Category Pages: Filter, Sort, View
Every category page ( browse all products is a good start) gives you a filtering toolkit down the left side:
- •Filter by category, brand, product type (capital vs. accessories & parts), status (in stock, on sale, new, bestseller), price range, and dynamic spec facets like voltage, capacity, and temperature range.
- •Sort by default, price low-to-high, or price high-to-low.
- •Switch views between grid, list, and product layouts with the toggle at the top right.
- •Results paginate 16 at a time. Use Reset All to clear every filter at once.
Side-by-Side Comparisons
For close calls, our Compare section offers curated, expert-built head-to-head pages. Each comparison lays two similar models side by side with a full spec table (differences highlighted) and a plain-English "Which should you choose?" recommendation — the kind of guidance you would normally have to ask a rep for.
Brand Pages, Buying Guides & Free Tools
- •Brand pages group each manufacturer's catalog by category with an authorized-distributor badge, quick facts, and a full product list.
- •Buying guides cover capital equipment, accessories & parts, and nine equipment categories — the context to buy confidently.
- •Two free tools (no signup): an RCF ⇄ RPM Calculator and a Laboratory Freezer Selector that shortlists cold-storage units by temperature, form factor, and capacity.
Reading a Product Page
Every product page is built to answer your questions before you ask them.
- •Spec table. A full Technical Specifications grid — dimensions, weight, and every manufacturer-published spec. Configurable models show selectable options for voltage, capacity, and door style.
- •Spec sheets & brochures — no login. Download the spec sheet or brochure straight from the page. Manuals, certificates, and parts lists are tied to equipment you have purchased and unlock at higher tiers.
- •FAQ & decision blocks. Category-specific questions answered inline, plus a "Why Legacy Lab Supplies?" trust section.
- •Related products. Compatible accessories, "works with this equipment," similar models, recommendations, and your recently viewed items.
- •Reviews. Real, moderated reviews only — nothing fabricated.
Add to Cart vs. Request a Quote
Most products are priced on the page and you simply Add to Cart. Capital equipment that carries an online price adds to the cart too, with a note that freight ships on a 6–10 week lead time and your card is authorized (not charged) at checkout. When a product does not have a published online price — usually configured or made-to-order gear — the page shows a single Request a Quote button instead.
Volume Pricing, Auto-Reorder & Bundles
On parts and accessories you may see three extra blocks. We show them to everyone but are honest about what unlocks them:
- •Volume Pricing — unlocks at the Customer tier (after your first purchase).
- •Auto-Reorder — recurring delivery every 30/60/90 days, unlocks at the Credit tier.
- •Bundle & Save — also unlocks at the Credit tier.
Cart & Quote
The cart icon opens a drawer with two tabs: a Cart (things you plan to buy now) and a Quote (things you want a formal written quote on first). Both live in the same drawer so you never lose track of either.
- •Adjust quantities with the − / + buttons, or Remove an item.
- •Convert to Quote moves your whole cart into the quote list; Move to Cart does the reverse. Overlapping items merge and quantities add up.
- •Credit-approved accounts also see Convert to PO, which seeds the PO Builder from your cart or quote.
- •The cart footer shows your subtotal and any savings versus list price.
Your cart is saved in your browser. It survives refreshes and return visits on the same device — no login needed. It does not sync across devices; that is one of the perks of creating an account.
Requesting a Quote
A Request for Quote (RFQ) is the right move for capital equipment, larger orders, or anything without a published online price. Start from the drawer's Submit Quote Request button or the Request a Quote form directly.
- 1Tell us the products (with live catalog autocomplete), quantities, and your delivery location. Don't see something in the catalog? Add it anyway — we'll source it.
- 2Add your power requirements, delivery preference (dock-to-dock through white glove), and timeline.
- 3Submit. Freight is included in the quote — we estimate it from your address and delivery preference.
What happens next: A real person reviews it. We respond within one business day with pricing, lead time, and freight details. Quotes are valid for 30 days.
Signed-in users can track every quote under Account → My Quotes. When a quote is ready, you can convert it straight into a purchase order.
Checkout & Payment
Checkout runs in three steps — review, shipping, payment — and guest checkout is allowed (no account required).
Shipping: Parcel vs. Freight
Items are sorted automatically by how they ship:
- •Freight (capital equipment). Pick a delivery level — dock-to-dock, forklift offload, liftgate, inside delivery, or white glove — each with a cost estimate. Freight delivery typically runs 2–6 weeks.
- •Parcel (parts & accessories). Ships via UPS or FedEx ground, calculated during payment; most parcel items ship within 3–7 business days.
- •Mixed orders split into two shipments with separate tracking — the checkout tells you this up front.
Paying
You can pay by card (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover) or by ACH bank transfer. We show every cost as its own line — no surprises:
Card
A 3% processing fee applies on orders of $500 or more. Orders under $500 have no card fee.
ACH · No Fee
Pay directly from your bank account with no processing fee. Checkout even shows the exact amount ACH saves you.
Freight authorization hold: On capital-equipment orders your card is authorized for the estimated total but not charged. We confirm exact freight first, then capture payment — and if the actual freight is lower, your final charge is lower. It is a hold, not a final charge.
Credit-approved accounts can also convert the order to a purchase order at the payment step (see below). After you place an order, the confirmation screen and a follow-up email lay out what happens next; equipment you buy is added to your account's registry.
Account Tiers — Published, Not Hidden
Most suppliers gate pricing and terms behind an opaque "call us" wall. We don't. Here is the exact ladder, how you climb it, and what each rung unlocks.
Guest
Browse the full catalog, download spec sheets, build a cart, request quotes, and check out. No account required. How to reach it: just visit the site.
Registered (Free Account)
Adds saved profile and addresses, the equipment registry, quote tracking, and document downloads. How to reach it: create a free account.
Customer
Unlocks order history, invoices, payment records, volume pricing, and manuals/brochures for gear you own. How to reach it: automatic after your first completed purchase.
Credit
Approved for Net 30/60 terms, plus the PO Builder, Invoice Center, auto-reorder, bundles, and department documents. How to reach it: submit a credit application; our finance team reviews it (typically a few business days) and emails a decision.
Verified Institution
For established institutional accounts: multi-user teams, department budgets and approval chains, contract pricing, and priority support. How to reach it: institutional verification with our team (vendor setup / procurement approval).
Tiers can also flow to your teammates: if your organization's account is credit-approved or verified, members inherit that access. Full tier details also live in the Account Management and Payments & Billing guides.
Your Account Portal
Right now you sign in with Google — one click, no password to manage. (Email magic-link sign-in is coming.) Everything then lives under Account, with locked sections clearly marked and a one-click path to unlock them:
- •Dashboard — active quotes, open orders, registered equipment, and quick actions at a glance.
- •My Quotes — submit new RFQs and track their status; accepted quotes convert to a PO.
- •Order History & Invoices — order status, tracking, and downloadable invoices (Customer tier).
- •Equipment Registry — register model and serial numbers to track warranty countdowns and find compatible parts fast.
- •Documents / Downloads — your spec sheets, manuals, certificates, and PO/invoice PDFs, gated by tier and by what you own.
- •Organization — manage team members and access for institutional accounts.
- •Support — open and track tickets (see Getting Help below).
- •Profile — update your name, company, phone, and preferences.
Purchase Orders
Institutions can buy on a PO two ways.
Upload an Existing PO
Already have a PO from your institution? Upload it on the Purchase Order page — no account needed. Add your name, email, and company, attach the file, and our team confirms it within about one business hour.
Build a PO (Credit Tier)
Credit-approved accounts get the PO Builder, which composes a branded PO from your cart or quote — your PO number, payment terms, approvers, line items, and an instant PDF. Shipping and tax are confirmed after review.
Don't have terms yet? Apply for credit from your account to unlock Net 30/60 and the PO Builder. Institution info, financials, and trade references are covered in the credit application.
Policies at a Glance
The essentials, summarized honestly — each links to the full policy.
Returns & Exchanges →
Returns subject to manufacturer approval — built-to-order and custom items are final sale. Eligible returns: 30-day window, 20% restocking fee, and an RMA number required before you ship anything back. If we made the error, we cover return shipping with no restocking fee.
Shipping & Delivery →
Freight/white-glove for capital equipment, UPS/FedEx parcel for parts. Inspect on arrival, note any damage on the Bill of Lading (BOL) before signing, and report concealed damage within 48 hours.
Warranties →
Every product carries its original manufacturer warranty. The manufacturer decides coverage; Legacy Lab Supplies facilitates the claim on your behalf — submitting it, coordinating logistics, and keeping you updated.
Payments & Billing →
Card, ACH, wire, check, PO, and Net 30. A 3% card fee applies on orders $500+ (ACH is free). Capital equipment may require a deposit for first-time buyers; parts are paid in full upfront.
Getting Help
- •Feedback tab. A vertical "Feedback" tab is pinned to the right edge of every page. Report a bug or suggest an improvement, set a severity, optionally attach a screenshot — and you get a reference ID so we can track it.
- •Lumin. Our lab-equipment specialist opens from the "Search" button in the header. It helps you find products and answers questions on quotes, shipping, and terms. It is AI-assisted, so verify specifics.
- •Support tickets. Open one under Account → Support or the Support page. You get a ticket ID (TKT-#####) and can track its status. A specialist responds within one business day.
- •Contact. Reach a human at (855) 746-7557 or info@legacylabsupplies.com, Monday–Friday 9:00 AM–5:00 PM PST. See the Contact page.
- •Newsletter. Sign up in the footer for product promotions, updates, and industry insights.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an account to browse or buy?
No. You can browse the full 2,100+ product catalog, download spec sheets and brochures, build a cart, request a quote, and even check out — all without an account. An account adds order history, an equipment registry, saved documents, and access to higher tiers like credit terms and the PO Builder.
How do I search for a product?
Use the search bar in the header. It matches on SKU and product name as you type and shows live suggestions. It also has typo tolerance — mistype "centrafuge" and it still finds centrifuges. Press Enter to jump straight to the closest match.
Why do some products show a price and others say "Request a Quote"?
Most products are priced right on the page — that is our whole point. A product shows "Request a Quote" only when we do not yet publish a fixed online price for it (typically configured or made-to-order capital equipment). In that case, send an RFQ and we reply with pricing, lead time, and freight within one business day.
What is the difference between the cart and the quote?
They are two parallel lists in the same drawer. The cart is for items you intend to check out and pay for now. The quote is for items you want a formal written quote on first (pricing, lead time, freight). You can move everything from one to the other with a single button — convert a cart to a quote, or pull a quote into the cart.
Is my cart saved if I leave and come back?
Yes, on the same device and browser. Your cart and quote are stored locally in your browser, so they survive a page refresh or a return visit — no login required. They do not sync across devices; create an account if you want your cart to follow you everywhere (coming soon).
What payment methods can I use at checkout?
At checkout you can pay by credit or debit card (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover) or by ACH bank transfer. ACH has no processing fee. Card payments carry a 3% processing fee on orders of $500 or more; orders under $500 have no card fee.
Why is there a 3% fee on my card payment?
Card networks charge us processing fees on larger transactions, and we show that cost transparently as a line item rather than hiding it in the price. It applies only to card payments on orders of $500 or more. Choose ACH bank transfer to avoid it entirely — checkout even shows you the exact amount you would save.
How is shipping calculated?
It depends on the item. Capital equipment ships by freight; at checkout you pick a delivery level (dock-to-dock, liftgate, inside, or white glove) and see an estimate. Parts and accessories ship parcel via UPS or FedEx, calculated during payment. Orders with both types ship as two separate shipments with separate tracking.
What is an "authorization hold" on freight orders?
For capital equipment shipping by freight, your card is authorized for the estimated total but not charged yet. We confirm the exact freight cost first, then capture payment. If the actual freight comes in lower than estimated, your final charge is lower. It is a hold, not a final charge.
How do the account tiers work?
There are five: Guest (no account), Registered (free account), Customer (after your first purchase), Credit (approved for Net 30 terms and the PO Builder), and Verified Institution (established institutional accounts). You move up automatically as you buy, or by applying for credit and institutional verification. We publish exactly what each tier unlocks — most suppliers keep this hidden.
How do I get Net 30 terms?
Apply through the credit application in your account (Account → PO Builder / Apply for Credit, or the "Apply for Credit" link). You provide company, financial, and trade-reference details. Our finance team reviews, typically within a few business days, and emails a decision. Approval unlocks Net 30/60 terms, the PO Builder, and the Invoice Center.
Can I pay by purchase order?
Yes, two ways. Anyone can upload an existing institutional PO on the Purchase Order page and our team confirms it within about one business hour. Credit-approved accounts also get the PO Builder, which composes a branded PO from your cart or quote with your terms, approvers, and PDF output.
Do I have to log in to download a spec sheet?
No. Spec sheets, brochures, catalogs, and safety data sheets are public — download them from any product page without an account. Manuals, certificates, and parts lists are tied to equipment you have purchased and unlock at the Customer and Credit tiers.
How do I request a formal quote?
Add items to your quote list and click "Submit Quote Request," or go straight to the Request a Quote form. Tell us the products, quantities, delivery location, and power requirements. We respond within one business day with pricing, lead time, and freight. Signed-in users can track quotes under Account → My Quotes.
What are the free lab tools?
Two, no signup needed. The RCF ⇄ RPM Calculator converts between relative centrifugal force and rotor speed for any rotor radius. The Laboratory Freezer Selector filters our cold-storage catalog by temperature range, form factor, and capacity to shortlist the right unit.
What is your return policy?
Returns are accepted where the manufacturer’s own return policy allows — built-to-order and custom equipment cannot be returned. Eligible standard returns are accepted within 30 days of delivery with a 20% restocking fee, and a Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) number is required before shipping anything back. If we made the error, we cover return shipping with no restocking fee. See the Returns & Exchanges guide for the full policy.
What do I do if my shipment arrives damaged?
Inspect before you sign. Note any visible damage on the freight Bill of Lading (BOL) before signing and photograph it. Concealed damage — found only after unpacking — must be reported within 48 hours of delivery, with photos, and keep all packaging. See the Shipping & Returns guides for the step-by-step.
Who handles warranty claims?
Every product carries its original manufacturer warranty. The manufacturer is the warranty provider and makes all final coverage decisions. Legacy Lab Supplies facilitates the claim on your behalf — we submit it, coordinate logistics, and keep you updated. Start a claim by emailing support with your order number and the model/serial.
How do I report a problem with the website itself?
Click the vertical "Feedback" tab pinned to the right edge of every page. Describe what happened, set a severity, and optionally add your email and a screenshot. On submit you get a reference ID so we can track it — every report is reviewed.
Is there live chat or AI help?
Yes — Lumin, our lab-equipment specialist, opens from the "Search" button in the header. Ask it about products, freezers, quotes, shipping, or Net 30, and it will point you to the right pages. It is AI-assisted, so double-check specifics, and you can always reach a human at sales@legacylabsupplies.com or (855) 746-7557.
How do I open a support ticket and track it?
Go to Account → Support (or the Support page and "Open a Ticket"). Give a subject, category, and message, plus an order reference if relevant. You get a ticket ID (format TKT-#####) and can watch its status — open, in progress, waiting, resolved — anytime in your account. A specialist responds within one business day.
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