Businesses in California and around the world face a number of financial challenges. Everything from the cost of materials and employees to overhead costs and tax obligations put stress on your bottom line. Managing these cost effectively is vital for a business to remain competitive and achieve long-term success. While you may have already implemented various means of keeping your material costs under control, some other costs are not as easy to manage. The overhead cost of copiers, for example, isn’t something that’s an immediate concern, nor do most business owners see it as a priority. However, if you can reduce the high capital expenditures that come with purchasing copiers, you may find that the savings is more substantial than you thought.
Many people incorrectly assume that purchasing copiers instead of leasing them is the most cost-effective option. However, that’s not always the case. Leasing copiers and printers can save you a good amount of money if you lease from a business that includes maintenance and supplies in the lease agreement. Common Sense Business Solutions offers very cost-effective leases for a wide range of equipment. Whether you’re a new business with a fairly low monthly copy volume or an established company that needs multiple machines, we can help. Let’s take a look at some of the financial benefits of copier leasing in California and what CSBS can do for you.
Understanding the Hidden Costs of Copier Ownership
Purchasing a copier comes with a number of hidden costs that you may not be immediately aware of. Most people simply look at the cost of the machine. That’s the main capital expense that you will be spending upfront, so it will make the most immediate impact on your budget. This cost can be thousands of dollars. For new or small businesses, dropping that kind of money on one large purchase can be stressful. You may have saved for months or years to purchase a large, all-in-one copier, so you want to make certain that purchase is worth it.
Once you purchase the printer, however, you’re not done with spending money on it. Because you now own the machine, you’re responsible for any repairs or maintenance it needs. Some copiers do include good manufacturer warranties, but these warranties are often limited and are only good for a short period of time. If you have a problem that isn’t covered or have an expired warranty, you have to cover all the repair costs yourself. These costs can add up, especially if your copier has several problems all at once or a major part of the machine breaks.
Then there are the ink and toner costs. If you’re printing a lot, these costs are going to quickly add up. You may need to buy new toner cartridges every month. If you’re copying a lot in color, this typically means you’ll need to buy four cartridges: black, cyan, magenta, and yellow. You’re likely going to want to purchase the larger cartridges, too, which have a higher print volume. Of course, they also have a higher cost.
Finally, while it’s not a direct cost, you do have to be aware of technology obsolescence. It’s possible to purchase a brand-new copier only to see new technology hit the market within a few months. You may buy one machine, then find one that meets your needs better. While you may be able to resell your used copier, you’ll almost certainly not recoup all of your costs, especially if you use the machine for a few years. Even if you took the time to determine what options you need in a copier, you may still find that the machine you purchased doesn’t meet your needs in a year or even less. Business needs and priorities can change unexpectedly, leaving you with purchases that no longer meet your needs.
The Benefits of Copier Leasing
Before you buy a copier, take a look at the various financial benefits that come with leasing. These benefits can help you keep your budget under control, prevent unexpected spending, and help overcome any unexpected shift in your business’ needs.
Instead of spending a lot of money upfront to purchase a copier, leasing gives you a predictable, affordable monthly payment. This will help you plan out your equipment budget more easily because you will not have to anticipate a huge expense somewhere in the year. It also allows you to get the copier you need now instead of saving up for it. CSBS even includes a regular shipment of toner in the lease, so you won’t have that cost to account for, either. Since leases also include repairs and maintenance, the only thing you’ll pay for is paper.
Our leases include the option to upgrade or downgrade as needed. This means if you determine that you need features your current leased copier doesn’t have, you can switch it out for one that does everything you need. You’ll never experience the regret of buying an expensive machine only to have something better come along a few months later. The same is true if you lease a machine that does too much. If you determine that a smaller copier would still meet your needs, you can switch out to something with a lower monthly cost.
Maintenance and repair costs are also included in our leases. Repairs, especially unexpected ones that leave your office without a copier for days or weeks, can be costly in more ways than one. If you heavily rely on your copier, it can slow you down or even impact your revenue stream. Our tech team will work as quickly as possible to get your copier up and running, and if it looks like it will take longer than a day or so, we can bring you a replacement machine to use. This ensures you’ll still be able to operate efficiently while we make the needed repairs. Our regular maintenance visits will also help reduce the risk of unexpected downtime.
Flexibility is another great benefit of leasing. With our leases, you have the flexibility to swap out copiers, increase or decrease the amount of toner you receive, and adjust your monthly cost by changing out equipment. This allows you to easily adapt to changes, ensuring that you can protect your budget without giving up efficiency.
Why Choose Common Sense Business Solutions
Whether you need a single copier or multiple machines, Common Sense Business Solutions is here for you. Our team has years of experience in leasing copiers, and we offer some of the highest-rated machines on the market today. We also routinely replace older machines with new ones, ensuring that you have access to cutting-edge technology. Combine that with our outstanding customer service and support, and you’ll have everything necessary to meet your copier needs.
Before you spend a good amount of your capital budget for the year on an expensive copier, take a look at what you actually need and can afford. Paying an upfront cost plus covering the costs of maintenance, repairs, and toner will quickly eat up your budget. It’s also difficult to accurately budget for these costs, especially when it comes to unexpected repairs.
With a lease, you don’t have to do that. You’ll know exactly what you’re going to spend every month. Our team will even help you find the right machine for your budget and needs. If you’re ready to learn more about copier leasing in California, reach out to Common Sense Business Solutions today.
