Fortunately, leasing office equipment is a once in a while type of thing. You probably think of it as similar to leasing a car, but what many people fail to realize is that leasing is truly a commitment. You are signing a contract that you will continue to make monthly payments for a copier over the next three to five years.
First, understand that leasing will not be the same as a rental contract with copiers. We have even seen online how some copier companies confuse the two. A rental sometimes does not involve a contract, and you can normally rent for short-term projects. You can also rent based on a month-to-month basis.
Second, never overbuy on the features of your copier. Sometimes a copier sales representative will do their best to get you to exceed your needs, which is going to cost extra. When leasing, never buy extras because you think* you might need it. Remember this about leasing: You can upgrade much easier than you can to downgrade. After you have overbought with a lease, you are locked into payments that you cannot lower because you want to downgrade.
Why This Matters
Leasing a copier is one of the most common choices for southern Wisconsin businesses, and for good reason. A lease keeps your upfront costs low and spreads the expense over a predictable monthly payment. Most copier leases run between 36 and 60 months. Shorter terms give you more flexibility to upgrade, while longer terms lower your monthly cost.
Before you sign a lease, ask a few important questions. What happens at the end of the term? Can you buy the equipment, return it, or upgrade to a newer model? Are maintenance and toner included, or do those come as a separate service agreement? What is the cost per page, and does it differ for color versus black and white prints? Understanding these details upfront can save Madison businesses thousands of dollars over the life of the agreement.
Bottom Line
A well-structured copier lease protects your budget and keeps your office running with current technology. The key is choosing a dealer that explains every line of the contract and stands behind the equipment. If you have questions about lease options in southern Wisconsin, call us at (608) 229-1508. We are happy to walk you through the numbers.