Copier Reviews

Always Do Plenty of Research Before Buying a Digital Copier

Written by Steven Bryan

In the financial world, the term "due diligence" refers to the process of carefully analyzing a potential stock or security before buying. Investors always should look closely at a company's history, growth potential, and most important of all, what other people have to say about the company's performance. That same principle applies to buying a photocopier for the office. Before buying, it’s essential to do your homework, check out a manufacturer's reputation, and read plenty of digital copier reviews, either in consumer magazines or online.

Digital Copier Reviews via the Internet

With a high-speed connection and a good Internet browser, you can do your copier research from the office or the comfort of your living room. A Google search of the phrase "office copier," for instance, returns quite a bit of useful information. At the top of the page is a list of licensed vendors and copier clearinghouses, which carry more than one name-brand digital copier. Most of these sites also contain office copier reviews written by customers.

When doing an Internet search like this, don't surf away without looking at the right side of the page. This area contains links to sites that offer side-by-side comparisons of office copiers, showing the price, features and capacity of each machine. Other Web sites maintained by consumers contain digital copier reviews, some of them brutally honest, written by people who actually own the product.

Copier Demonstrations on Your Turf

Reading digital copier reviews is one thing, but you really need to see the equipment in action before buying. If you find sales representatives who are willing to bring their products to the office, these folks should immediately go to the top of the list. In your office or business suite, you can get a hands-on demonstration of the product line and see if the vendor really has a model that meets your photocopying needs.

Always remember, though, that salespeople typically work on commission, which naturally makes them hungry for a big sale. In The Force, journalist David Dorsey documented his year at the Cleveland sales office of a well-known office copier manufacturer. Dorsey wrote about high-pressure sales tactics, which caused some clients to buy more copier than they really needed.

Before you invite a sales representative to the office, make sure you are confident on the following points:

• Your monthly copying needs
• How much you are willing to spend
• The space needed to house the copier
• The cost of paper, toner and staples
• What maintenance is covered by the warranty

Are you ready to investigate copier reviews for your next purchase? Submit a free request for price quotes and get matched to multiple dealers who will try to get you the best deal for your business.

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