average lifespan of just five years<\/a>\u00a0in a busy office.<\/p>\nEventually, you\u2019ll find yourself needing to find a replacement and the question arises: should you lease or buy a copier? There\u2019s no one-size-fits-all answer to that question. These pros and cons will help you make the right choice for you and your business.<\/p>\n
Why Buy a Copier?<\/h3>\n When you\u2019re playing the long game, buying a copier is usually the less expensive option\u2013when it comes to the cost of the copier. You\u2019ll avoid finance charges and other fees. You\u2019ll also avoid a hard credit check, which may impact your credit score. If you\u2019re a smaller or growing business, you like to keep your credit as clean as possible.<\/p>\n
And even if you did have to put it on credit, the printer is yours after you finish paying for it. Some high-quality floor copiers can last up to 10 years, especially if you\u2019re not a high-volume office. So that may be a very good deal.<\/p>\n
Okay. So it sounds like buying is the way to go. But wait! There are some cons to consider.<\/p>\n
When Buying a Copier Isn\u2019t Your Best Option<\/h3>\n Since the dawn of time, technology has never stood still. And the rate of change is only getting faster. A bought printer may have everything you need today. But no one really knows what businesses may need in 10 years. That could put you at a competitive disadvantage against newer companies in the future with the latest technology.<\/p>\n
If you needed to resell that printer because you weren\u2019t using it like you thought or needed to free up cash, you might recoup 50% if you sold it immediately, but in 5 years, it would probably cost more for someone to move it than they\u2019d pay for the copier.<\/p>\n
Not unlike a car, it\u2019s not going to hold its value.<\/p>\n
If your rainy day fund is tapped out and you\u2019d have to put buying a copier on credit, interest charges may make the copier cost a lot more than you think you\u2019re saving by buying over leasing a copier.<\/p>\n
Finally, an aging printer will also begin to require more maintenance to keep it running smoothly. And you might find yourself feeling like you have to keep it past its prime to get your money\u2019s worth. That may cost you in employee productivity and lost wages.<\/p>\n
Why Lease a Copier?<\/h3>\n Leasing a copier does make sense if you need to have clear terms from month-to-month. You know upfront how much you pay each month and for how long. That\u2019s often easier on the budget. If cash flow is tight and you\u2019d have to finance a bought printer anyway, leasing may actually end up saving you money.<\/p>\n
When your term ends, you\u2019re not stuck with a printer that may now be outdated or breaking down. You can upgrade when you renew your lease. Or, depending on the lease terms, you may be able to buy the copier at the end of the lease for a minimal cost if it\u2019s still working for you.<\/p>\n
A newer copier needs less maintenance and functions more efficiently, increasing workplace productivity and reducing worker frustration around inadequate technology. If the leased copier needs maintenance or stops working entirely, that\u2019s likely the responsibility of the leasing company.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s not an emergency expense you have to worry about.<\/p>\n
When Leasing a Copier Isn\u2019t Your Best Option<\/h3>\n You will pay more for the leased copier than you otherwise would. Those pros of leasing listed above come at a price. It\u2019s important to realize that those are what you\u2019re paying for, not just the copier. In a way leasing is another way to manage risk. Not unlike buying insurance, you\u2019re paying the leasing company to take on what would otherwise be your risk.<\/p>\n
Every business has a certain amount of risk they\u2019re comfortable managing and planning for. Leasing a copier may not make sense for you if you\u2019re in a position where you can effectively manage more risk. That copier may last you 15 years or five. You just don\u2019t know because lifespan is so strongly affected by how your office uses it.<\/p>\n
Ultimately, deciding whether to lease or buy a copier is a very company-specific decision. So weigh these pros and cons and you\u2019ll make the right choice for your business.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Should You Buy a Copier or Lease It? Trying to decide whether to lease a copier or buy a copier? Find out the pros and cons. See when buying or leasing may be the best option for your business. \u00a0 No single piece of equipment in the office takes more of a beating than the…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":159274,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-179626","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
To Lease or Buy a Copier? - IT Services in Virginia<\/title>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n