Whether you are looking for a copier company near you that can provide you with a brand-new machine or just a copier repair company, you want to make sure you choose the best company.
Choosing the best copier company is an open-ended question because your printing and copying needs are specific to your company, budget, and preferences.
Have you tried looking for the best copier companies near you? Have you given up because your online search gave you too many options, and you didn’t know which to choose from? Or maybe you are not finding enough companies in other cities trying to reach your area?
It’s crucial you ask yourself some questions about what brought you to the decision to find the best copier company.
- Do you need a new copier or printer due to increased business growth?
- Do you need more functionality?
- Is your current copy machine on its last leg?
- How important is it to you to do business with a local copier company?
These questions brought you to this decision, but now you need to decide where you will purchase a new copier or printer from.
If you want to get the lowest price, you will need to know who the different copier companies near you are, as you will be requesting quotes and comparing the bids they present to you.
Finding the Best Copier Company: Doing Your Research
Wherever you are located, you will most likely be near two types of companies where you can buy a new copier: a copier manufacturer or a local authorized dealer. Below are the differences.
Copier Manufacturers
Most copy machine manufacturers have a sales office with installation and support personnel.
As a brief disclaimer, our mission at AIS is to provide our customers with options, even if that means it’s another company. We want to ensure you choose the machine that best suits your business, employees, and customers. It’s in our best interest to provide our clients and potential customers with honest and unbiased information to make them a more informed buyer.
We’ve compiled a brief list of some of the best copier manufacturers that are probably located in an area near you.
Canon: Canon is a global leader in imaging and optical products, offering printers, multifunction devices (MFPs), cameras, and business solutions. Known for their high-quality output and reliability, Canon’s devices cater to both home and office environments, focusing on performance, innovation, and advanced document management.
HP: HP Inc. is a global technology company that designs and sells personal computers, laptops, printers, and accessories for consumers and businesses. Their product lineup includes innovative solutions like business laptops, all-in-one desktops, high-performance gaming systems, advanced printing technologies, and 3D printers.
Kyocera: Kyocera is a multinational company that produces a wide range of office technology, including printers, multifunction devices (MFPs), and document management solutions for businesses. Known for their durable, eco-friendly designs, Kyocera’s products focus on cost-efficiency, reliability, and sustainability, making them ideal for high-volume printing environments.
Konica Minolta: Konica Minolta is a global technology company providing printers, multifunction devices (MFPs), and digital workflow solutions for businesses. Known for their focus on innovation, efficiency, and sustainability, Konica Minolta’s products enhance document management, productivity, and intelligent workplace automation.
Ricoh: Ricoh is a global technology company specializing in printers, multifunction devices (MFPs), and digital workplace solutions for businesses. Known for their focus on innovation, sustainability, and efficiency, Ricoh's products enhance document management, workflow automation, and productivity in office environments.
Xerox: Xerox is a global leader in print and digital document solutions, offering printers, multifunction devices (MFPs), and workflow automation tools for businesses of all sizes. Known for its innovation in printing technology, Xerox delivers reliable, high-quality products with a focus on productivity, security, and cloud-based document management.
Local Authorized Copy Machine Companies
Local authorized copy machine companies (like AIS), may represent one or more different copier or multi-function printer brands (such as Kyocera, Xerox, and HP) of equipment and have built their business on servicing local businesses providing exceptional price and service.
This option really is a personal preference, but again, it’s crucial to do your research. Reading reviews and speaking with people who have used certain authorized dealers is the best way to ensure you are getting the best product for what you are spending.
Since we cannot compile a list of local authorized dealers for every customer, we wanted to make sure to give you a little more information on this option in order for you to be as educated as possible.
A recent study of hundreds of businesses detailing purchasing decisions for a new copier or multi-function printer found the perception was they could receive a better price from a manufacturer than their local dealer, and that just isn’t true.
Authorized local dealers and manufacturers all receive the same wholesale price, and in most cases you can achieve more competitive pricing from a dealer since they have lower overhead.
And when it comes to service, depending on the size of your business, you may find their overall service is better since you may be considered a small fish to the larger businesses in the city of Las Vegas.
We’ve also come up with some questions to consider when looking for the best copier companies near you.
- What is your price range, and how much are you currently paying for your office copiers and printers?
- What features and qualities do you expect your printing and copying machines to have?
- If multiple companies bid for your business (which is a great idea to get the best price), make sure you have them all bidding with the same features (speed, cost per copy, stapling, folding, etc.).
- Does the company offer both a lease or purchase price and what's the cost?
- Is there a buyout at the end of your lease, or do you keep the copier or printer?
Functionality and a Maintenance Contract
To be blunt, no matter what copy machine you end up with, they all do the same three things: copy, misfeed, and jam. Because of this, you will need a maintenance contract, which is another extra expense.
Related Article: How to Choose a Copy Machine For Your Business.
With every purchase or lease of a copier, you must pay someone to maintain the hardware. So, how do you decide on the best copier service company?
We have prepared some questions for you regarding this topic, too. Take a look!
- What’s the cost of the maintenance contract? How long does it last? And what does it cover?
- What’s the cost per copy? Also referred to as the “CPC.”
- Are there monthly volume limits? For copies (black & white and color).
- How does the company reconcile your monthly volumes? How often?
- Is there a charge for scanning?
- Is there a warranty? What does it cover?
- How long does it take for the company to respond to their current service calls?
- What’s the fastest way to contact them when I need service?
- Do they have a chat feature on their website? How about after-hours service?
- Does the company have service metrics on the quality of the service they provide to their current customers, and are they willing to share them?
- How large is their inventory of parts and equipment?
- What other services can a Local Authorized Dealer Provide Your Business?
Another important reason for a maintenance contract for your copier is to ensure your machine is properly maintained to minimize downtime while it’s under warranty.
Are you interested in learning more about warranties for your copier or printer? Check out the article we wrote on, Copier Warranty: Are all copier warranties equal?
The Final Say: Finding The Best Copier Companies
Finding the best copier company near you that best suits your needs requires time, as it’s essential to the success of your business. It may seem like an overwhelming task, but just starting here means you're taking the proper steps to enhance your office technology.
To learn more about copiers and printers for your business, reach out to us!
