Archives for May 2014

INTERNET SALES

Think twice before you buy a copier off the internet because you will need a service relationship with a local dealer.  Lately, I’ve been getting calls from people who  bought a used copier off the internet and they can’t get anybody to service it locally.  The vendor in MD or MN or wherever usually says, “don’t worry about getting service locally;  just get out your local phone book.”   Well in an ideal world that would probably work but not in a lot of cases.  Sometimes the copiers arrive with some damage or they have a spotty reliability reputation.  The guy in MD or CA isn’t going to loose sleep over that;  you are.  I buy books over the internet but I’m not going to buy something that requires service locally and you should do the same when it comes with copiers and here’s why.   Used copiers usually work out but not always.  If you bought the used copier locally there’s always a Plan B or solution because there’s no place for the owner of the copier company … [Read more...]

LEASE CANCELLATION STRATEGY

The sooner the better.  Each leasing company has different terms and they are usually two to four months before expiration.  If you miss that window they also have different terms.  Some require a 30 to 60 notice to cancel if you missed the original window.  Others go ahead and renew the lease for the year which is good for them and the current vendor because it locks out competition.  The only person who can get you out of it is the current vendor as long as the new lease is with the current leasing company.  There’s not much incentive you give you much of a discount in that scenario.   Another thing to consider is what happens to the copier even if you cancel in time.  Whatever vendor was awarded your new business should help you with this.  You will get some intimidating instructions from the leasing company telling you to prepare to ship it; insure it;  send it halfway across the country;  and ask you if you want to pay money to erase the HDD.   Here’s what we … [Read more...]