If you focus on the number on the price tag more than what the photocopier can actually do for you, you'll end up paying more in the long run.
You have to operate with a budget professionally and personally. The same questions come up no matter what you're buying. How much should it cost, where can you find the best deals, and is there a more affordable way to get it?
Many people jump right to the cheapest copier they can find. They think it might match their needs, but their decision is purely price driven. Sometimes they luck out and get the right model with good build quality. Years from now, they're calling the copier "old reliable" and patting themselves on the back for their money-saving move.
However, this is not the case for most people.
Overlooking Value in the Pursuit of Low Prices
The biggest mistake you can make when shopping for digital copiers is to overlook their value. The price is an important factor in your decision-making, but there's a massive difference between inexpensive and cheap.
If you focus on the number on the price tag more than what the photocopier can actually do for you, you'll end up paying more in the long run. You'll run into at least one of these five problems when you go for the cheap option rather than an inexpensive model.
Features
Photocopiers offer a wide range of features, from the size to app-enabled enhancements. A cheap copier may lack key capabilities that you need on a daily basis, which forces you to spend more time or money completing the task.
Build Quality
A low-cost printer from a no-name company may have a host of problems. You may even end up forming a close personal relationship with your local copier repair company, with a lot of money spent on keeping the device running.
Duty Cycles
Photocopier manufacturers design their products with a specific monthly workload, calculated in pages. If you buy a digital copier with a duty cycle that's significantly lower than your business needs, you end up wearing it out much faster.
Leasing
Is a multifunction copier purchase the right move for your company? You can lease office equipment, which may make more sense for your budget and overall needs.
Capability
You may think all copiers are created equally. The basic features are the same, but they diverge significantly after that. Paper handling, apps, output speeds, system compatibility and control software changes the experience with each model.
Of course, you don't want to spend more than you have to. Don't go overboard when you research photocopiers. Ask yourself if you really need all the features included in a top-of-the-line model. Chances are, you'll find the perfect copier right in the middle.
