Entrepreneurs Can Buy The Right Copier

Small Business Owner Office Equipment Purchasing Power

Oct 25, 2009

Entrepreneurs and small business owners can enhance their marketing and promotion efforts by choosing and buying the right copier.

According to Office Museum, copy machines started as letter reproduction machines. The early equipment used metal plates and only made one to a few copies. Today copiers can print, copy, staple and fax multiple documents and photographs in a matter of seconds. Knowing what to look for in a copier will ensure that a business owners office equipment needs are adequately met for minimal costs.

Attend a Copy Machine Demonstration

Entrepreneurs and business owners can save money by contacting copy machine manufacturers that their company has an existing purchasing contract with. In cases where a business is buying a copier for the first time, it is recommended that entrepreneurs and business leaders search for vendors who make copiers that are compatible with their personal computer. To learn about the copy machine’s key features, schedule time to attend a demonstration on the copy machine.

Ask questions such as how long the vendor has been in business, the types of feedback received from customers on the copier, how often the copier jams, the costs of shipping and handling fees and available payment or financing plans. Business owners that need machines that handle hefty print demands should make sure that large copy machines can easily be added to existing company networks so several employees can use the copier at once.

Price Shop Copier Manufacturers

Determine the number of copies the business will need to make each month. Big copy jobs require larger copy machines. Large multipurpose copiers that print 100,000 copies a month range from $30,000 to over $40,000 in price. Smaller copiers that print 500 to 1,000 copies a month range from $80 to over $100 in price. Conduct a search on the Internet for copiers by size, print quality and color printing capabilities. Many office stores with an online presence will allow entrepreneurs and business owners to conduct a price check directly from their computer.

Look for brands that are compatible with existing personal computers. Consider buying a multi-purpose copier, fax, scanner and printer to save office space and money. Read customer reviews on the equipment and make sure that the copier can print standard letter and legal sized pages. Black and white copiers typically cost less than color copiers. Entrepreneurs who also need a desktop computer or laptop should buy from stores that offer significant discounts to customers who purchase a copier with a desktop computer or laptop.

Focus on Equipment Print Speed

Select copiers that print 60 or more pages per minute for large copiers and 20 or more pages in black and white font per minute and 12 or more pages in color per minute for smaller copiers. Look for digital laser copiers that are designed for manual and automatic tray feeds. Copiers that are equipped with paper trays that hold 100 or more sheets of copy paper will allow business owners to print a large job for several minutes while they are away from the copier.

Examine Copy Machine Toner Costs

Shop for a copier that uses inexpensive toner cartridges. Entrepreneurs also want to select a copier that makes 500 or more copies per cartridge. Smaller copiers might require four color cartridges and one black cartridge to operate. Each cartridge could cost an entrepreneur $20 which, over time, can become more expensive than the copier itself.

Look for Excellent Copy Machine Maintenance Plans

Look for copy machines that come with three to five year maintenance plans. Shop for maintenance plans that include parts and labor and repair to fix repetitive paper jams, toner drum faults, fuser roller and cleaning blade replacements. Service plans for large copiers should include the cost to send a repairman to the office to repair the copier in person. Service plans for smaller copiers should cover the cost of repair parts that entrepreneurs and small business owners can order online from the vendor or at a local office store at no additional charge.

Entrepreneurs and small business owners can save money and enhance their marketing and promotion efforts by conducting due diligence before they purchase their next copy machine. They can contact copy machine manufacturers, schedule a demonstration, ask about maintenance plans and the costs of toners. By purchasing a copy machine that prints color and black and white copies at fast speeds, business owners can also perform large copy jobs in short amounts of time.

Retail and office superstores like Best Buy, Staples, Office Max and Office Depot carry small to mid-size copy machines. Buyer Zone and manufacturers like Toshiba, Sharp and Xerox are excellent sources to purchase large copy machines from. Amazon.com, Walmart, Kmart and Target are stores that carry copy machine toners. Copy machine owners should check with online and offline retailers for discounts on the toners.

The copyright of the article Entrepreneurs Can Buy The Right Copier in Small/Home Business is owned by Rhonda Campbell. Permission to republish Entrepreneurs Can Buy The Right Copier in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.