Copier New VS. Used

New Copier Vs. Used Copier - Buy or Rent

In today’s copier market, the technology has become so advanced that a copier is no longer JUST a copier, it is what we now call a multi-function device, it will copy – print - scan – fax – email and become a document server.

Our goal is to save you money on your next copier or document solution, a copier is not a status symbol is just a machine to help you conduct business!

           So if you need a copier, ask yourself a few question,                        

1- What is my monthly actual copy/ print volume?
2- Do I need fax?
3- Do I need scan?
4- What speed? The higher the volume the faster the copier should be.
5- Do I need color scanning - printing - copying?
6- Do I need a service contract?


If your monthly volume does not exceed more than 5000 copies- prints per month, you only need a small copier and there will be no need for new copier unless, you want a color, space saving multi-function device.

You can buy a multi-function device like the Ricoh 161MF for under $900.00 and it will not cost you more than a $.015 per copy/print to operate. This is a Black and White machine with a color scanner. It can Copy – Print - Fax - Scan – Email.

For Color you can buy a new Konica Minolta 4690MFP

It also should cost you under $1,200.00 and your cost per copy-print on B&W should be at $.015 per copy/print, color prints should be at $.08 per copy/print.

These small machines we sell with a 6 months or 1 year warranty.

If your monthly volume is between 5000 copies/prints to 15,000 c/p

Then you need something with more speed/power next question is what would you be printing, letters with color pictures full color pages like catalogs with a 100% color coverage? Or regular printing copying what most businesses use today letters, invoices, and proposals with a few pictures? 

Ok here is where it gets a little more complicated, If you will use the copier for marketing material like full coverage brochures, and with high resolution graphics and pictures then, we recommend the Ricoh Aficio MPC3500/4500 $5,500.00/$6,500.00 the cost is low to operate and the quality is excellent, if the cost of the used/rebuilt one still too high then we recommend the Ricoh Aficio 3245c $2,750.00 it comes also with copy – print – fax – scan – email.

Need a quote for renting these machines? QUOTE

With these monthly copy/print volumes there is no need for a new piece of equipment, unless you can buy a new machine at these low prices the difference between a new machine an used/rebuilt would be the price, since the technology has not change in the last 3 years.

In most cases the new machines are the same as the older machine with the difference in the outside covers and smell.

If you can buy a used/rebuilt copier with lowest meters that would be the ideal buy, but do not get hang up on meters only, a good meter on the size copiers can be any where from 500,000 copies or less, and make sure that most consumable parts are replaced, like drums, fuser rollers developers or at least have more than 50% left of life.

Look also at the manufacturer’s duty cycle of the machine and divide by 3 that is the number you want to stay under, to have a reliable machine.

If you are truly concern about cost, you most pay attention to the cost of operation of the machine, always ask for the true cost per copy/print.

A lot of the machines that are sold in superstores are very inexpensive to buy, but the cost per copy is very high, for example if you are paying for the toner cartridge $100.00 and it only lasts about 6,000 with a 5% coverage that means you will be buying a cartridge every 3,000 at 15% coverage (normal business letter/invoice) now your cost per copy becomes about $.03 per copy not including paper just on toner cost, so if your are running 5,000 copies/prints per month it will cost you $150.00 without any drum or repairs. 

At that price you can buy a Ricoh 161MF $800.00 with a one year warranty and buy the toner for $14.00 per 7,000 copies at 10% coverage and save. Or rent one from us at $100.00 per month and we supply the machine, toner and service, and include the first 5,000 copies free.

For higher volumes call us @ 763-509-0054