I want to get a new microscope, one with photo and video capabilities. Could you recommend a shop that sells to the public new or reconditioned microscopes? I prefer to check out the models in person, so no online shopping for this one. Have you worked with different models and prefer one over another?
I am also looking for a (bio) lab supplies store? Any recommendations?
The usual question: Is it better to shop for these things in Switzerland, France, or Germany? (I know, cheeky. ) I am assuming it is better to get the microscope in CH, and the consumables somewhere else, but I might be wrong.
I guess I agree with you that buying hardware in Switzerland is your best bet as the warranty and service stuff will be easier if its local, and the Swiss markup on hardware is normally more inline with international prices than the markup on small stuff and consumables.
If you know which model you may be interested in, I would check the manufacturer's website and see if they list approved traders in your area and then talk to them directly about inspecting models in person. I don't think there are many walk in shops selling the sort of stuff you are asking for.
I have absolutely no idea what you're hoping to use this for, but at work we have purchased from the Swiss distributors for Leica , Olympus and Zeiss . The general protocol is we contact them with our specifications (e.g. standard/inverted, fluorescence imaging or no, preferred objectives) and they make some offers. They do sometimes have demonstration models for sale, but I am not sure if they sell to the public. I have never heard of a physical shop where you can buy microscopes, but perhaps they exist. (Although I'd be surprised.) Maybe a really, really serious camera shop might be able to help you, as they'd have contacts with Olympus and Zeiss?
I have no idea what chemicals you wish to purchase, but it could be tricky, as chemical sales tend to be tightly regulated due to the possibility of them being used for the production of drugs. I'd advise against e.g. purchasing a pH meter and standard solutions abroad and having them shipped to a private address, it might raise some flags with customs. Back in Canada I had a friend who had some issues with purchasing pH standards, and the irony of the situation was that he was a cop and it was being purchased for their pH meter at the HQ. VWR International and Thermo Fisher have Swiss offices and might sell to the public, you could always contact them and ask. Chemie Brunschwig is based in Basel and also have lots of products in their catalogue if you're just looking for e.g. staining solutions.
Should you choose to shop for a microscope online, Labx is a very established online sales and auction site for new and used lab equipment. I had a very keen (but slightly odd) friend in grad school who purchased a used PCR DNA amplification machine from there and a few other bits of lab equipment so he could do experiments at home evenings and weekends.
Some smaller swiss suppliers have better prices but generally the mark up is considerable. Conatex are a cheap German source. The main advantage of a Swiss supplier can be in dealing with customs, but I could save large amounts for the school I was ordering for by getting the products directly -especially if they are coming from the States or China.
You have a good chance of picking up a standard microscope from a swiss school as they replace their equipment frequently.
I found the following type of simple digital equipment great for looking at chemistry experiments: