Should small businesses lease or buy office copiers
A small business should lease when preserving cash and scheduling replacement outweigh financing cost; it should buy when needs are stable, capital is available and the copier is likely to remain useful beyond a normal lease. The right answer depends on total cost and contract flexibility.
Make the small-business lease-or-buy decision
Compare the same right-sized machine over the same use period. For a lease, total payments, fees, service, renewal exposure and return or buyout costs. For a purchase, include financing, maintenance, repair risk and likely resale. Model growth and a downside case so the company does not lock into oversized equipment.
Small businesses should pay close attention to minimum service charges and long terms. A modest purchase can beat an inflexible five-year lease; a sensible lease can protect cash and avoid obsolete equipment. Use the copier lease versus buy guide before asking for both purchase and lease proposals.
Price the equipment around one clear workload.
Give providers the same volume, paper, scanning, finishing and service brief.