I can’t remember the last time I felt good after reviewing a prospective client’s copier fleet billing. Last week I saw yet another example of the type of abuse companies routinely receive at the hands of their copier dealer. This client has 30 machines, all of them 11×17 tabloid-capable tanks. Here’s an example of one of their typical devices. This one’s been leased for 2 out of the 5 years for $276/month.
| Total Copies | 60,701 |
| Total Prints | 200,199 |
| Total Pages | 260,900 |
| 11 x 17 pages | 9 |
| Duplex pages | 443 |
When we ask new clients how much their pages cost they never know off-hand the price they are paying for their leases but are almost always quick to point out that it only costs a half a penny per page. This client was no different. Nine tabloid-sized pages in two years. Really? Their office had no reason to have that much big iron on the floor wasting money when smaller, less expensive machines would fit just fine. They’re probably overspending by at least $4,000 monthly in equipment leases alone.
When we streamline this client they’ll have much less equipment costs, and almost no large leases but if you’re wondering how this happens in the first place, it’s because your equipment dealer is likely more interested in tying you up for 5 years with devices you won’t need than looking out for your best interest. Why? Because the dealer’s salesperson is paid by the $ amount of the devices he can put into your office. You don’t buy big stuff and he won’t eat. Besides, they know you’ll focus on that bargain half-penny-per-page cost and not on the lease amount.
Solution: Remember your document output is changing every year and copies are declining (Why are you copying anyway?) so think twice before leasing the huge device and instead, put workgroup printers in place or lower-cost letter/legal-sized multifunctions where you need them and don’t give into the lure of the half-cent-per-page.
Still think you need the big device? Save some money and let that equipment dealer lease your grandmother a Hummer for 5 years to drive around the block to her bridge club.
