When it comes time to choose a dealer, “service” is the most important word you need to remember. A great copier with bad service can cause more headaches than a so-so copier with excellent service. Since you will need to be comfortable with your copier vendor for years and years, it is in your best interest to be particular when evaluating them.
Get to know the dealers that carry the copier you’re interested in well. Ask as many questions as you can:
- How long have you been in business? What sort of clients do they look after?
- How long have your employees been working for you?
- Do you sell the best brands? Which is the strongest seller and how long have you been selling it? (If it is not the machine you’re interested in, look elsewhere.)
- What is the policy on breakdowns? Is there a time limit for repair responses?
One of the best ways to get to know a vendor is to take a tour of their facility. You will be able to meet staff in different departments, get a sense of their size and professionalism, and take a look at their repair facilities. This can also help you make sure a potential vendor is large enough to meet your needs – but small enough to value you as a customer.
Any dealer worth buying from should be more than willing to give you references. And make sure you follow through with this; as with any product or service that you purchase, neglecting to check references can be a grave mistake. Of course the dealer will put you in touch with their best customers, but you can still learn from the conversations.
Copiers at the lowest end of the spectrum are available at retail or online stores, but we do not recommend purchasing this way. Preventative maintenance and ongoing service and support are critical to your copier’s performance, and retail outlets do not offer appropriate service contracts. To handle breakdowns, manufacturers offer warranties that cover repairs or replacement, but most businesses want the comfort of knowing that an experienced technician is available to address any problems they have.
For more information please visit www.copycare.net or call 020 8296 0202. Thank you
