No one ever says, “Terrible deal? Where? Sign me up, immediately!” However, we have seen customers who walked into lose-lose situations, and we have noticed a handful of common elements in these bargain scenarios. The greatest mistake we have seen people make for buying a copier involves rushing to receive a quote. Take your time. Call around to make sure that the quote you receive is for the right copier to start with.
The second mistake we have seen customers make is believing they need a color copier. We have especially seen this when our competitors offer a free upgrade to color. Sounds great, right? While printing in color as needed appears a fantastic deal, many of these companies bank on the fact that these businesses will not manage their color printing and print more than they plan.
Our final most commonly seen mistake is when customers place one feature above all others. For example, are you looking at the pages per minute while failing to notice the warm-up time? Always look at the big picture. Weigh the facts of the copier you plan to purchase and look for the best offer.
What to Consider
Buying a copier is a significant investment for any Madison business. Before you commit, take time to evaluate a few things. Start with your monthly print volume. If you print fewer than 5,000 pages a month, a mid-range machine will usually do the job. Higher volume offices should look at commercial-grade equipment built for heavier workloads.
One common mistake is focusing only on the purchase price. The real cost of owning a copier includes toner, maintenance kits, drums, and service calls. A cheaper machine can end up costing more over three to five years if the supplies are expensive or the machine breaks down frequently. Kyocera equipment is known for reliability, which helps keep those long-term costs down for southern Wisconsin businesses.
Bottom Line
Take your time, compare total cost of ownership, and work with a dealer you trust. The right copier should handle your daily workload without constant attention. If you need help choosing a copier for your Madison office, reach out to our team at (608) 229-1508. We can help you find the right machine at the right price.