Used Copiers and What to Consider Before Buying

Buying used or refurbished products can have somewhat of a bad stigma.  People may be hesitant about buying used products such as a copier because they don’t think they’ll work as well as a new one, or that they might break easily and cause issues, however this isn’t the case at all. Purchasing used copiers or refurbished office supplies can be just as good as buying it brand new if you know what to consider before making the decision! Here are some things you should know before buying a used copier:

1. The difference between used and refurbished

One common mistake people make is not knowing the difference between used and refurbished. A refurbished machine is a used machine that has been has been thoroughly inspected and repaired before being sold again. A used product is simply a product that has been used and is being resold as is, no repairs have necessarily been made and you may have to make some repairs yourself after purchasing.

2. Age of the copier

Knowing how old the copier is is one of the most important things to factor in before purchasing. Every make and model of a copier has a different expected lifespan, so you should figure out how many years the copier has been used, and how long that specific make and model usually lasts.

3. How it was used before

How heavily has the copier been used? If the copier was used very heavily in prior years it could have a shortened life span, or could possibly need to more repairs in the future, as opposed to a copier that was barely touched that would be in much better condition. If you want to know exactly how much the copier has been used you can check the copiers odometer for yourself, which will tell you its actual total usage.

4. Availability of spare parts

If the used copier your looking into buying is in good condition but on the older side, do some research of where to get things like ink and spare parts for the specific model ahead of time. If there are not a lot of the copiers around anymore it could be possible that the company stopped making parts for that copier.  One of the worst things you can do is buy a used copier, then not being able to find any necessary parts to go with it.

5. Contracts

Be sure to get a service contract for your used or refurbished copier just like you would if you were purchasing a new one. Take into consideration how your copier was used in the past and how it was serviced, but also how you will be using the copier in the future and how often you may need it serviced.  

6. Lease before buying used copiers

Perhaps after taking all of these things into consideration you’re still not ready to fully commit to buying a used copier, if so leasing a copier may be a good choice for you. Leasing a used copier will let you try it out for a while and see if it’s in good condition and suits all your needs. If it works out you can look into buying it, but if not you can return it when the lease and will have a better idea of what you do and do not want.

When you invest your money into something that you will be using everyday you want to make sure that you are getting the most for your money and that you will not regret your purchase. So it is important to research, plan and have your wants and needs outlined ahead of time. If you’re researching used copiers and have any questions or concerns about your office supply needs please feel free to reach out to us here at American Lazer, and give us a call at (866) 922-9003!