This doesn’t get around the bulk, but at least in the metro Boston area, there are loads of auctions from closing labs or failed biotechs where you can get all sorts of lab equipment for pennies/nickels on the dollar.

If you have space for a commercial lab hood, the cost for used/auction is low, if you’re slightly patient. (This is partly because of the bulk, of course. Lots of people might bid on the small, benchtop equipment, but the giant equipment often goes for the minimum bid.)