What are the best photocopier brands?

MikeR371

I'm looking into getting a new colour copier for the charity I work for. It seems to be a bit of a minefield to say the least!

The existing machine is 3.5 years into a 5 year lease, but it seems by changing this now we can save a lot of money. We do around 60k colour copies per year and new quotes are half the cost per copy. The two companies who have looked at this are offering to pay off the remaining lease then enter into a new 5 year deal.

The existing machine is a Canon. The new quotes are for Toshiba or Sharp machines. The Canon supplier tells me that Toshiba/Sharp are cheap because they are unreliable and will have problems 2-3 years down the line. Is this true? Is it worth paying more for a Canon or would we just be paying for the brand?

offcumden

Hi Mike
Why are you considering changing ?
Is your exsisting machine giving you problems?
I guess that you were approached by a salesman ?
Possibly from your exsisting supplier ?

You will not be saving money in the long term
You will pay less per month

The outstanding 18 months of the lease will be added to the cost of the new machine and refinanced over 60 months so you will be paying interest on interest.

The capital cost of the new kit is probably less that your existing Machine and advances in technology will probably have reduced the cost per copy

If you want any more info let me know, but if

it aint broke dont fix it
I sold copiers for ten years or more .

MikeR371

Hmmm... you are correct! The total lease cost they are quoting comes to £8400 (including £3,400 to pay off the old lease), but the outright cash price is £2900.

I can't see that there are any advantages to leasing over purchasing outright if we have the capital to hand, and we do.

I'm thinking our best option may be to purchase a new machine outright now, and carry on paying for the old one until the lease runs out, but don't use it. The money we save on the reduced cost per copy is enough to finance the lease payments. Does this sound sensible?

offcumden

On the face of it its pheasible, sorry Mike as you said its a minefield and a solution will depend on what contractual agreements you have in place.
I assume that you have a service agreement in place and I would need to know details of that before advising you.
I am also concerned given the capital cost of the new machine that it will handle a average volume of 5k per month is the volume spread evenly over the month or does it come in great chunks.
How do the two machines compare for speed compared to your existing one.
What is your current copy cost and what is the proposed one is it like for like interms of cover.
Are you happy with your current supplier, is he involved in negotiations, if so what level is he in his company
I am more than happy to advise you get the best deal for your Charity and you might want to consider discussing this either by private e-mail or by phone.
I have not been involved in the market for over ten years and have no allegience to any brand the important thing is the service cover

Let me know if you want me to help
John