What to Look for in a Used Office Copier

When looking for an office photocopier, many businesses are tempted to buy a used copier. 

And that makes sense. There are several benefits to opting to buy used equipment. Firstly, it can help reduce costs, re-use is generally more environmentally friendly, and many people have had good experiences with used equipment - especially those that are refurbished by a qualified technician.

But before you jump on that used copier deal, there are a few things you need to know, otherwise you could end up with a copier that costs more in the long run than the cost of purchasing or leasing brand-new.

Here are three factors to consider before you buy a used copier. 

Age is critical when choosing a used copier. While it may still function perfectly well, older printers have some major drawbacks. Firstly, consumables like toner cartridges, usually use older technology that is more expensive to refill or replace. 

As new models are introduced into the market, further service issues arise with older products. That is because spare parts are phased out overtime. This means you may suddenly be unable to maintain or repair your copier, forcing you to upgrade sooner than you planned for. 

Older technology can also be more complicated and time consuming to fix when compared to newer models, which can lead to higher labour costs. 

Lastly, older models can be huge energy wasters. Depending on the age of the used copier, it could end up increasing your electricity bill substantially over its service life. 

Be sure to research the photocopier and find out when it was made and whether replacement parts and consumables are still available. 

If you do decide to buy a used copier, make sure you buy from a reputable seller. Better still, look for a company that offers some sort of product guarantee or warranty. 

While you could probably find a copier being sold by another business that has recently upgraded, you are buying a copier with no service recourse. 

Most photocopiers are now digital. That means, like a computer, copiers now have a hard drive which can be vulnerable to security risks. If you decide to buy a used copier, be sure to ask the seller about the hard drive and any steps they took to make sure it was secure, including wiping data from it. 

Buying a used copier can be a good money saving option but only if you pick the right seller and the right unit. 

Consider looking for a “refurbished” copier over a “used” copier

Purchasing used can come with its challenges, and the most concerning one for businesses is that there’s no guarantee what condition a used office copier is in. The copier likely hasn’t undergone any functional tests, there might be undetected or un-repaired issues and there’s unlikely to be any warranty on the purchase.

If your business isn’t 100 percent convinced what it should be looking for in a working used office copier, then it’s worth paying a slightly higher fee (although still more affordable than buying new) for a refurbished office copier.

A refurbished copier will have been examined by a professional organization, who has taken the time to replace and fix any faulty parts. This means a refurbished copier will work just as well as a brand-new device. 

Here in Ontario, Canada there are no regulatory standards for refurbished technology, but any trustworthy company selling refurbished products will give you a warranty on the copier that you are buying from them.

For example, here at OT Group we have the OT Plus guarantee in which we offer quality assurance over the term of the payment.

For more information on used  and new printers, copiers or scanners and what to look for, please contact OT Group today. We help small and medium-sized businesses across South Eastern Ontario make technology decisions that improve their bottom line.