Copier Repair vs. Inkjet Purchase: Making the Strategic Business Decision
It’s natural to compare your business decisions with your competitors, but as you noted, their focus is on internal development and client service. You should channel your energy into making the best strategic choice for your own business’s efficiency and bottom line.
A key decision facing many businesses is whether to repair an aging, reliable copier (laser-based) or replace it with a seemingly cheaper inkjet printer. While inkjet’s popularity is tempting, the long-term benefits of maintaining or upgrading your workhorse copier often outweigh the initial savings of buying a consumer-grade inkjet.
Here is a breakdown of the strategic advantages of choosing copier repair over purchasing a new inkjet printer:
Advantages of Copier Repair
You already own a copier, which is a powerful, multifunction device (MFD) that has proven its reliability over the years. Repairing it often serves as the most cost-effective and least disruptive option.
| Advantage | Rationale for Business |
| 1. Immediate Cost Savings | A repair is relatively cheaper than making an entirely new purchase. Expert technicians can readily fix a specific problem, getting the machine back to working condition without the massive capital outlay required for a new MFD. |
| 2. Multifunctional Reliability | Copiers are reliable not only for copying but also serve as a printer, scanner, and fax machine in one. Settling for an inkjet printer sacrifices these crucial multiple functions, forcing your staff to use less efficient workarounds. |
| 3. Durability for High Volume | Copiers are tested by rough times and built to handle the high volume necessary for deadlines and day-to-day office life. Inkjet printers are typically not designed for the same level of continuous use and will break down faster under heavy load. |
| 4. Time and Effort Savings | Repairing the existing machine avoids the time and effort required to research, purchase, install, and train staff on an entirely new machine (like an inkjet). Your staff is already familiar with the existing copier’s routines and interfaces. |
| 5. Cost-Effectiveness | A successful repair brings the copier back to its usual printing routine. Since laser copiers are generally more cost-effective per page than inkjets, maintaining the copier preserves your lower long-term printing costs. |
Why Inkjets Are Not the Solution for Business
While an inkjet printer may be cheaper upfront, remember the following disadvantages when considering it as a replacement for a multifunction office copier:
- High Cost Per Page (CPP): Inkjets use small liquid ink cartridges, making the cost per page much higher than the toner used in laser copiers.
- Slow Speed: Inkjets are significantly slower, creating bottlenecks and reducing productivity when staff needs to print large documents.
- Low Durability: Inkjets are not built for rough, high-volume office use and will likely require replacement sooner than a repaired copier.
The question should ultimately be: Is the cost of the repair significantly less than the cost of a new machine’s maintenance and ink over the next year? If the answer is yes, then repair is the strategic choice.
General Service and Quote Requests
If you plan to get copiers for your office, you can buy copiers or lease copiers. We can give you options for getting the copy machine that you want. You can contact our local copier leasing services department in your location.
For all services, call Clear Choice Technical Services:
- Phone: (913) 203-1300
- For copier leasing, request a quote today.
- For short-term rental inquiries, request a rental quote.
For dedicated Copier Repair Services in Kansas, please visit our Repair Services Website for immediate assistance. Our network is powered by Clear Choice Technical Services.
