Having a reliable copier is essential for almost any business. However, only some businesses have the means to purchase and maintain one of these expensive machines. Plus, this sizeable investment can go to waste if the business doesn’t use the copier regularly.
Businesses can rent or lease a copier rather than purchase it. An office copier rental and lease are similar in their goal of providing a copier to a business. There are some differences between these two services that can help you determine the better option for your business.
What Is an Office Copier Rental?
An office copier rental functions similarly to renting a car. You contact a copier dealer, agree to the conditions, and pay a fee that covers the intended period of use. As an office copier rental can be a short-term solution, the equipment is usually rented on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis.
The rental contract covers the copier, the necessary supplies, and services.
What Is an Office Copier Lease?
An office copier lease differs from a rental in that it involves entering into a lease agreement with a copier dealer. The business agrees to make monthly payments in exchange for a new copier. At the end of the lease, the business is usually given the option to buy the copier at a nominal fee.
Unlike car leases, copier lease agreements don’t allow you to give up the machine and stop making payments and turn the copier in before the lease is up. Even if you stop using the machine or no longer want it, you’ll be required to pay off the balance of the leased equipment and services.
Lease terms are usually longer than a rental, ranging from two to five years. Like most leases, the product ultimately ends up costing more than it would with an outright purchase.
Office Copier Rental vs. Copier Lease: Which One Is Better?
Businesses that choose the office copier rental route typically need an off-site copier for an event or an on-site copier for a specific period when the business volume dramatically increases. For instance, an accounting firm might need all hands on deck during tax season, including extra copiers in the office.
For this reason, it might be assumed that office copier rental is better for short-term uses, while a lease should be the go-to option in the long run. This isn’t necessarily true.
Businesses that commit to a copier lease agreement might want to upgrade the copier after a few years. After all, newer copier models offer appealing features that might be helpful with a specific task. The business might obtain the funds to buy the machine or simply have no need for it anymore.
With a lease agreement, there’s no backing out under any of these circumstances. Due to the prohibitive nature of such an agreement, it would be much better to find a dealer that offers long-term rentals.
This means that an office copier rental is the better solution, regardless of the intended use.
If your business is in San Francisco and needs a high-quality copier, contact Golden Gate Office Solutions today. We can arrange the office copier rental terms that best suit your business needs.
