Consider Buying Your Own Copier ?

Does This sound Familiar ! ... So your getting tired of running down to your local copy shop. You get in your car and drive down to make a few copies, pay your 5¢ to 10¢ per copy then drive back to your office only to realize that you still need more copies made. What an inconvenience of time lost running back and forth.

With shopping the local copier dealers, you are shocked to learn that a new copier can cost from $2,000 to $25,000. Your next stop is the local office supply or superstore which offer the smaller PC grade type of machine starting at about $400 up to about $2,000.

Visit Our On-line Showroom

Considerations When Buying a Photocopier Machine

There are four primary considerations when buying a copier; 1) is how many copies you will be producing monthly, 2) what features you require, 3) space and machine size requirements, and 4) how soon you will outgrow the machine.

Other important considerations are, the reliability of the machine, cost per copy, and how many copies the consumable parts yield and their replacement cost (see On-line Catalog for prices).

Which Brand is Best ?

With our experience (over eight years) working on all makes & models from AB Dick to Xerox we have found that... "The Golden Rule is there called and generally the factories that make the best Photography equipment make the best . *Canon *Sharp *Ricoh and *Minolta."

Understanding Photocopier Machine Grades

There are three basic grades or classes of photocopy machines. The first grade of copier is the PC (Personal Copier) grade that are often sold in office supply and department stores. The second and generally most preferable grade of machine is the standard Business Grade machine. Next there is the Commercial ReproGraphic Grade machine that is primarily designed for high volume users who produce 50,000 to 100,000 copies monthly.

The PC Grade Copier :

Most PC grade machines are sold by your local office superstore. They are designed to produce a maximum of 500 to 1,500 copies monthly. In buying the PC Grade Machine ; The convenience of a new small PC grade copier may soon be over shadowed by the lack of features, capacity, high cost per copy, and lack of available on-site service.

Pluses and minuses of the PC copier. The pluses are 1) “instant warm-up” that means when you turn the machine on it is ready to make a copy within one minute, 2) operator replaceable drum / copy cartridges, and 3) low purchase price. Now lets get to the minuses, 1) slow only 5-10 copies per minute (CPM), 2) high cost per copy aprox. 7¢, 3) lack of available features and paper sizes, and 4) lack of on-site service.

In event of any repairs needed, most of these machines are not on-site serviceable and are shipped off to "Repair Depots" resulting in a loss of your copier (possibly for several weeks) during the repair period. However we would like to note that PC grade machines in general enjoy an excellent record for reliability and customer satisfaction.

Visit out On-line Showroom... machines starting at $588 !

* A note about how copy cost / toner yield is figured : Cost per copy / toner yield is figured on a percentage of how much toner is applied to a letter size copy. If all the toner applied to your letter sized copy is condensed down to a solid block / field it would equal a percentage of the size of the copy. Thus this "toner field" is the quotient in which cost per copy / stated yield is based upon.

In regards to PC type machines, the "stated yield" or copy cost is generally based upon a 5% field per letter sized copy. If the stated yield of the Drum Cartridge says 2,000 copies, average yield will be more like 1,200. Reason being, most documents copied run an average of 8%-15% field. And with copying any graphics you can easily be upto a 25% to 50% field. These machines even for low volume users can rapidly become cost prohibitive to operate.

The Business Grade Copier :

The standard Business Grade Machine for most users is the best choice. This is the most common grade of machine. Features and machine size will vary, they can range from a simple desktop model to a large stand alone machine. Business grade machines are generally recognized by a low cost per copy and the availability of "Full System" options. Average cost per copy is 1¢ (includes paper & toner).

Common features are R/E, ADF, and sorter. These machines are designed to produce from 1 up to 50,000 copies monthly. New purchase prices can range from $2,000 to $15,000. A Business Grade machine will give you years and hundreds of thousands of copies worth of service. This grade of machine truly represents the best overall value.

Visit Our On-line Showroom

The Commercial Grade Copier :

The commercial grade copier will generally include many of the full system features and produce 50 plus copies per minute. Differences that separate this type of machine verses the business grade machine are 1) monthly copy volume, 2) lower maintenance (generally required only every 100,000 copies) with service costing no more than business grade copiers, and 3) low cost per copy.

The minus to this type of machine is the slightly larger size over business grade. New purchase prices can range from $25,000 to $40,000. However good used or recondition machines can be purchased for the price of a business grade machine. With low maintenance cost and low cost per copy, machines like this can become quite attractive.

Optional Features

R/E : Reduction & Enlargement, some machines may also have a zoom lens in which the image size can be altered in 1% increments.

DF, ADF, RADF : Document Feeders automatically load the original(s) to be copied onto the copyboard glass. The Document Feeder feeds only a single original at a time. The Auto Document Feeder will feed a stack of 20 to 50 originals automatically to the copyboard glass for copying. The Reversing Automatic Document Feeder has basically the same function as the ADF except it has the ability to handle two sided originals. This feature will recirculate and flip over the originals allowing it to copy the second/back side of the original.

SORTER : This collating feature will allow you to make multiple copies of multiple originals, e.g., the ability to make books and manuscripts. The number of sorter bins/trays vary between 10 to 40, the most common a 20 bin sorter.

Misc. Features : Some of the other features may include Duplexing (automatic two sided copying), Image Editing, special Book Copying Mode, and multiple colors.

Buying A Pre-Owned Copier

Purchasing a pre-owned copier will help you avoid that immediate 40-60% drop in resale value which happens the moment you take delivery of that brand new photocopier. With thousands of well maintained copiers coming "Off Lease" and or being repossessed monthly purchasing a pre-owned copier maybe your best choice. Lots of great equipment available at a fraction of the new cost.

There are three basic sources in which to buy a pre-owned copier from. One is the franchised dealer, another is from a private party, and the third is from a Independent Photocopier Sales & Service Company who maybe your best and wisest choice. They generally offer Fully Serviced or Re-Conditioned Copy Machines at a fraction of the cost of new equipment and generally include a 30-90 Day Warranty.

A Independent Dealer will generally offer better prices on copy machines, service, and supplies. Most of these independent dealers buy their machines from Wholesalers and Leasing Companies and then fully service or recondition them before resale. These "Independents" generally select only machines for resale that are in above average condition and are known not to have been produced with factory design defects.

You may however decide to browse the Sunday classifieds noticing for sale at an affordable price. Your mind immediately asks why are these people selling their machine. Well, in all probability it will be one of the following reasons, 1) their upgrading to a newer machine or one that has added features, 2) they no longer need a photocopier, or 3) the machine is problematic / lemon. Regarding the first and second reason, you may want to strike a deal.

Regarding the above third reason, does the machine have a good track record? To find out the status of a certain brand/model copier, you may think of calling that Franchised Brand Dealer. A typical answer from them in regards to the before mentioned question would be yes. In most cases its likely you'll be calling the them (the same dealer) for future service. This therefore allows the dealer a perfect opportunity to sell you the profitable and almighty “Service Contract”. Call an "Independent Dealer" to get a less biased answer.

It is recommended that when buying a pre-owned copier you always get a warranty. Some sellers may offer you a lower “as-is / no warranty” price, its your decision do you like gambling? Obtaining a 30 day / 3,000 copy warranty allows a sufficient period for evaluation of machine condition.

Things to look for when Buying a Pre-Owned Copier

Before purchasing it is important to check the overall condition of the machine. Regarding the age of the copier best values are often obtained with a machine age of 5 to 8 years old. Parts and supplies are generally available for up to 15 years after the date of machine manufacture (do not let anybody tell you otherwise).

The four primary indicators for judging the condition of a pre-owned machine are:

1. Copy Quality, you are looking for a good copy with solid black / colors and a nice clear background. This indicates the general condition of the Drum, Fuser Rollers, Developer, and overall condition of the machine.

2. Lack of Paper Jams, run several copies through the various cassettes, and if applicable also the Sorter, Auto-Doc Feeder, and Duplexer unit. This checks the condition of Paper Feed Tires / Rollers, feed mechanisms, and the accompanying clutches.

3. Overall Cleanliness, if the machine is clean inside and out there is a good chance that the machine has been recently serviced.

4. Copy Count/Mileage, is not always a good way to judge the condition. Generally speaking you can use a simple formula to calculate a machines lifespan. Take the maximum factory rated monthly copy volume x 12 (months)=A, take A (Annual max. rated copy volume) x 5 (years)=L (maximum copy volume Lifespan). In this author's opinion you should seek to purchase a machine with no less than 50% of Service Life (L) remaining.

Some Dealer Tricks Exposed !

Some dealers operate in unscrupulous ways, and often entrap a business or individual into dealing with their organization. Most often the entrapment begins after you have purchased the machine and service or repair becomes necessary. A word of advise, it is always best to get a direct referral from a friend or an associate before choosing a copier dealer.

Dealer Trick : Buying Pre-Owned Machines

The Basic Trap. After purchasing your pre-owned copier and after the short warranty period is up you may start to have problems with the machine or it may need service. You then call the dealer and they offer you a two options, one is to pay costly service calls, the other is to buy a "cost savings" but still fairly expensive Service Contract.

But before you can purchase any service contract you first need to bring the machine up to top condition. With the cost of bringing the machine up an acceptable standard plus the price of the Service Contract, makes it seem like this machine is going to cost you as much to keep it running as what you had paid for it.

For with a dealer who has sold you a brand of machine that they do not offer new, the likely scenario would be after several months of possible problems/service calls (and your getting tired of this stupid machine) they will likely tell you that the machine really is old and outdated, and parts & supplies are getting hard to get and that you should have probably bought one of their brand new machines to begin with.

This same dealer will then generally offer you 100% trade in value for your used machine if you purchase a brand new machine and then they will also gladly set you up with a "Service Contract" at the same time. Remember at the start of this circle you wanted to save some money and did not want to spend the $5,000 to $10,000 to buy a new machine to begin with or get tied into an expensive Service Contract costing another $500 to $1,000 a year.

Dealer Trick : Service & Sales Link

The Basic Manipulation. A Service Repair Call is often "The In" for unscrupulous dealers to set the trap for a new machine sale. This is how it works.

1. Your having a problem with your machine and you call the dealer service-tech out to repair your machine.
2. The Service Tech soon tells you that "it's going to cost hundreds or dollars to fix it, and the machine is really getting old and outdated and parts are hard to get." This is most often far from the truth (i.e. a Bold Faced Lie!). Generally they just "ream" the machine picking it to death and often offering you over inflated parts prices.
3. The Scam is on, with them pushing you towards the direction of buying a new machine. You wonder what your going to do, for you need a copier and now! Even a day or two without a copier for most businesses is crippling and all dealers know that.
4. Next the Service Tech says well I could have a Salesman bring you out a demo machine to try for a couple of weeks, "No Cost or Strings Attached." And of course you accept, for you know your needing to make some copies. No cost copies, that sounds really good too !
5. You now are really starting to get attached to, and are liking this brand new demo machine. Its just like being given the keys to a brand new car to drive around. You gotta love that new fresh smell and feel !
6. Its decision time : The Salesman then returns a couple of weeks later, its either time to buy, lease, or rent, or you'll soon be with out a copier again . What are you going to do? Well most likely because of the convenience of the demo machine already on the premises, the high pressure salesman standing in front of you, and your need for making copies, you have most likely just been scammed and pressured into buying a new copier. All this because of an over priced estimate on repairing your old machine.
7. *Note : That's what most of us Independent Dealers call a "Trained Dealership" Get It ! Why make a couple of hundred dollars with service repair when you can make several thousand dollars selling a new machine.

A Note About Service Contracts and "Per Call Service"

A dealer’s bread and butter is in selling service contracts. A Service Contract Agreement is basically a 100% insurance policy that you have paid up front 100% of the cost of all the likely repairs and service if the machine were to totally self-destruct. Most users do not benefit from this economically unless they have a problematic machine or are extremely high volume users.

On “Per Call Charge” basis for service, some unscrupulous dealers often sell the most profitable or expensive parts first, then work down to replacing lower level parts that may actually be the source of the problem. It is not uncommon to be sold a drum that costs hundreds of dollars when a simple adjustment is just is needed.

Also when a service tech works on your machine have them explain to you what they are doing and why. Have them leave the old parts with you, this insures that the parts taken from your machine are not going to be re-installed into someone else's machine that's under one of their service contracts.

Find Yourself an Honest Reputable Dealer via Referrals.

* Hope This Page Has Been of Help *

Offering... Machines, and Both OEM and Compatible Parts & Supplies for Most Major Makes & Models !