Printing, scanning, copying – these are all fundamental, everyday tasks in offices across the globe. In order to get them done efficiently and effectively, workers need good quality equipment – like copiers and printers – that can keep up with their demands.

But buying a new copier isn’t always easy. What’s more, buying an office copier isn’t even necessarily the best choice. You could get better value out of a copier lease instead. This guide breaks down the copier lease vs. purchase debate to help you make the right call.

An Overview of Copier Leasing

First, let’s look at the basics of a copier lease and understand exactly what it entails.

Put simply, a copier lease is exactly how it sounds – you effectively rent or lease a copier from a provider. You pay a monthly or annual fee for the duration of your lease agreement, and you get to use the copier for that period of time.

There are a few different types of copier lease, too. Some of them allow you to upgrade to newer models once your initial lease period is over. Others even give you the option to buy the copier you’ve been leasing for a small or even negligible amount, like a single dollar, at the end.

The Benefits

There are a lot of advantages to a copier lease.

First, and arguably most important for a lot of smaller businesses, in particular, is the cost benefit. High-end office copiers tend to cost a lot of money – thousands of dollars, to be precise. Many businesses cannot afford such a big blow to their budget and don’t want to invest such a large amount in one go.

So, they opt for a copier lease, which is far cheaper, at least in the short term. You don’t have to pay anywhere near as much for a lease. Plus, there are other savings to be made, as lots of lease providers will cover the costs of any copier service or maintenance you require during the lease period.

That’s not all. A copier lease also gives you a lot of flexibility and choice. As touched on above, there are various types of leases, so you can pick whichever suits you best. You can also select from a wide range of copier models, including those that might usually be beyond your price range.

The Downsides

The low entry costs of a copier lease make it an attractive proposition for many businesses. But leases aren’t as cheap as they initially appear. You have to keep up with your payments, and if you add them all up at the end of your agreement, you’ve usually spent more than the copier actually costs.

Another downside is that copier lease terms and providers vary greatly. It’s certainly possible to get a good deal, but if you’re not careful, you may also enter into an agreement with less favorable terms.

An Overview of Copier Purchasing

With a copier purchase, you buy your copier directly, paying the full price and owning it outright. There are no contracts to sign and no terms to negotiate, resulting in a generally simpler process overall compared to a copier lease.

The Benefits

As explained above, buying a copier is usually simpler than leasing one, at least in theory. You simply have to pick a copier that suits your needs, find a provider or store to buy it from, and make the purchase. The only tricky part is figuring out which copier is right for you.

Additionally, a purchase is likely cheaper in the end compared to a copier lease. Plus, unlike a copier lease, a purchase means you own your copier entirely and can use it however you like. You’re even free to resell it in the future to regain at least a bit of the initial expense.

The Downsides

Buying a copier is costly. For those with strict budgets that demand careful management, such a huge expense may not be wise or even feasible. Plus, with an outright purchase, you’ll be responsible for all subsequent copier costs, like servicing, maintenance, repairs, replacement parts, etc.

Another downside comes when you need to replace your copier. Yes, you can sell it, but due to depreciation, you’ll most likely only get a fraction of the initial cost. Plus, selling or disposing of old copiers can be tiring and drawn-out.

With a copier lease, it’s often simpler, as you simply return your old model to the provider and then replace it with a newer and more advanced alternative.

How to Make the Right Choice Between a Copier Lease or Purchase?

To make the right call between a copier lease or outright buy, you should:

  • Assess Your Budget: For smaller budgets, a lease is absolutely the right call and sometimes the only true option. For bigger budgets, it could be preferable to buy your copier, as long as you choose a quality model that’ll serve you well for several years, at least.
  • Consider Your Needs: If you don’t have serious copying needs, buying a simple model may be best. It’ll help you get your copying done without any complications. But if you’ve got the kind of office that needs multiple machines and does tons of copying daily, leases may be best.
  • Look to the Future: Think about how your business could grow and how its needs may change in the future. If you forecast rapid growth for your company, a flexible lease could be the best option to help you easily upgrade to more advanced models as your copying needs develop.
  • Think About Maintenance: Most copiers break down or have little issues now and then that need sorting out. If you opt for a copier lease with maintenance included, you won’t have to worry too much. But, if you buy your machine, you need to factor in the maintenance costs.

Equip Your Office With the Best Copiers

Whether you choose to buy or rent your copier in the end, it’s a big decision either way, and it helps to have experts to guide and advise you. That’s where Da-Com comes in. Empowering businesses across St. Louis, Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, and western Illinois, we can help your company find the ideal copiers. Contact us today to learn more.