| I sell copiers. It is a tough job, but someone has to do it. | | | | analysis. If they don't ask to watch your actual |
| When you are looking for a copier, I am one of the | | | | workflow, that's a bad sign. |
| options you would have to fulfill your needs. I have | | | | 4) Color copiers, with the exception of super high end |
| found, often the people purchasing copiers aren't really | | | | ones, are far at color than even a $1,000 printer like the |
| educated, and it would be nice if everyone knew how | | | | Ricoh Sp C410DN or the Xerox 8560. If you need it |
| to really evaluate their needs more effectively. I know | | | | for high quality graphics, go big or use a separate |
| many reps would not be excited if this information was | | | | device. If you go big, you should print more than 5,000 |
| in your hands, but I am happy to get this to you | | | | pages a month. |
| because I am more used to selling printers and I don't | | | | 3) Always sign up for your minimum using, at the most, |
| like feeling like I am ripping a person off to make a | | | | 75% of your average month. Make sure overage |
| commission. So, without further fanfare, here are some | | | | charges are in line with the base charges. If they are |
| things to be on the lookout for. | | | | far higher, negotiate for the same pricing. Trust me, we |
| 10) Someone who talks only of the cost per print on a | | | | want to sell the copier and will bend if it is crucial to do |
| copier is probably hoping you won't notice the high | | | | so! |
| purchase price. If the conversation is only that of how | | | | 2) Do a demo. Are you really going to spend $15,000 |
| much a click costs, but the equipment isn't mentioned, | | | | without seeing it do the kinds of jobs you want to run? |
| be nervous. | | | | 1) When you work out your cost per print, make sure |
| 9) Check out how many Preventative Maintenance | | | | to include any maintenance costs as well as the copier |
| PM calls a machine needs. If it needs more than 6 in a | | | | costs. Often you'll find if your volume is under 10,000 |
| year, that's bad. There are some which only need 1 call | | | | pages per month... you would be better served with a |
| per year. You don't want the machine having a | | | | copier like the Lexmark X644e or the Xerox 4150 |
| technician there every month if it isn't necessary, do | | | | (both in the 45-50 page per minute range) and start at |
| you? | | | | about $2,500. The cost per print on these are about |
| 8) Know what you will ACTUALLY use. A stapling | | | | $.011 to $.015 per print. If you had a big iron copier |
| feature is nice, but if you use it 10 time a month... is it | | | | because it was $.007 per click, you'd need to make |
| really worth the extra $1,200 in costs? | | | | approximately 1,000,000 prints before you made up the |
| 7) Scan to E mail and other features is becoming | | | | difference between the costs of the machines. If you |
| more common, you should make sure these come | | | | have it for 5 years, that works out to be about 16,500 |
| standard. | | | | pages a month. This is why it is good to know how |
| 6) If you make less than 10,000 copies a month, you | | | | much you are wanting to do and what you want to |
| should spend less than $5,000 for a copier... unless you | | | | do. |
| desperately need 11 X 17 paper capability. | | | | I hope this helps and please contact me if you need a |
| 5) Just because you like your rep, don't assume they | | | | copier or printers! |
| know what their doing from just a visit and a quick | | | | |
