There are many phrases for photocopiers that are not new, we list some here and link to an explanation page
Buy, Lease or Rent a Photocopier
There are many misconceptions regarding how to take on a photocopier and what guarantees are offered, we will try and explain them in simple terms here.
Here we explain buying leasing or renting and additional service agreements.
Buy a Photocopier
Fairly obvious, you buy the equipment and that's it! Not really, you must remember photocopiers are sensitive and regularly have problems which need an engineer visit.
Please see our service comments below.
Lease a Photocopier
This is the most popular way of acquiring a copier, it saves using up capital that may be used for other projects, with current bank base rates being very low lease rates are highly competitive. This gives you the opportunity to finance your equipment for a very reasonable interest charge, why use up vital cash that you have in the bank.
Q: Will I be offered a Lease?
A: We show lease costs, if you are interested we ask the Leasing company to credit clear you, if you have a good credit history and your business is profitable and has been running for 3 years you are likely to secure a lease offer. If any of these criteria is not met then you may be asked to guarantee the lease.
Q: Who owns the photocopier at the end of the Lease?
A: The Leasing Company but usually you can negotiate ownership at the end of the lease if you wish.
Q: Can I upgrade a Photocopier Lease if my requirements change?
A: Yes! But beware many suppliers will lie and tell you that this is at no cost [free of charge]. This is not true... any outstanding payments will be added to your new lease. Making the second machine a higher cost than if you hadn't upgraded.
Q: Is Photocopier Service included in the Copier Lease?
A: No! You can add service if you want to but note a charge for copies may be made and added to the lease cost but leases usually have a disclaimer that the Photocopier Service is separate to the Photocopier lease and if the photocopier service given is not satisfactory it will not affect the lease cost apportioned to the photocopier. Basically be careful who you deal with.
Service Agreements and Support
A photocopier is similar to a car; it will produce copies [like a car covers mileage] and normal wearing parts such as drum units, feed tyres, webs and fuser units will wear out. A car warranty is usually for a period of time or a maximum mileage, photocopier companies put the same restrictions i.e. copy volumes on wearing parts. For example you may produce say 20,000 copies in 3 months and the machine will give dark copies, it is likely a photoconductor drum unit needs replacing and this is NOT covered by the warranty.
When buying a copier over 90% of companies take out a separate service agreement which will cover you for all parts, labour and [usually] toner. This is usually charged at a rate per copy, the copy charge for black copies is much lower than traditional printers cost and also lower than colour copy costs. Sometimes clients negotiate a toner exclusive agreement.
We show service costs with every proposal.