Leasing vs. Renting a Copier Machine: What is the Difference?
When entering a business or running a company, you constantly face decisions on how to manage capital. Copier machines are expensive, but the office needs one or more to function. If you can’t afford to buy outright, you have two options: avail of copier leasing services or rent it.
Choosing between copier rentals and copier leasing tends to be confusing, as some people think these two choices are the same. To guide you, we’ll explain the differences in benefits, disadvantages, and contract length.
Defining the Two Options
The core difference between renting and leasing comes down to time and commitment.
Renting a Copier Machine (Short-Term Flexibility)
Renting copiers typically lasts for a month. You should rent if your business has copying tasks that vary each month or if you only plan to use the copier for a short time.
- Flexibility: Copier rentals have a more flexible plan, allowing you to easily access the latest copier machines and upgrade or downgrade your chosen copier.
- Disadvantage: You will spend more on renting compared to leasing, and if you rent for a long period, you could spend more money than if you just purchased the machine. You would never own the equipment.
Leasing a Copier Machine (Long-Term Value)
Copier leasing takes place when a business is interested in owning a copier machine but can’t afford to pay it all upfront.
- Duration: The designated time is longer when leasing a copier machine, typically lasting up to 12 to 60 months.
- Ownership: You can choose to return the machine or own it once the contract is finished (depending on the lease type).
- Suitability: If your company has a constant high requirement for copying, choose copier leasing. It is the most effective option to fit your time and budget.
Comparison: Cost, Term, and Risk (Table)
| Feature | Copier Leasing | Copier Rental |
| Term Length | Longer (Typically 12–60 months). | Shorter (Typically month-to-month or a few months). |
| Monthly Cost | Cheaper; the machine’s cost is divided over many months. | More Expensive; rates are higher due to greater flexibility. |
| Commitment | High; many leases are non-cancellable, with hefty penalties for breakage. | Low; most flexible plan, recommended for beginners. |
| Service/Maintenance | Good quality service and maintenance packages can be added to your agreement. | Maintenance packages can be added. |
| Tax Advantage | More taxable profits here than renting (consult accountant). | Generally treated as operating expenses (fully deductible). |
Final Decision for Columbus Businesses
To conclude, if your company has many copying tasks to do and the workload wouldn’t change for a long time, choose to lease a copier. On the other hand, if your workloads are not constantly high and you don’t want to commit for a long time, you can choose to rent a copier. Choose according to what you need.
If you’re thinking that copier leasing is complicated, choosing the right copier leasing services will greatly help you.
The copier leasing services of Columbus offer budget-friendly machines that belong to the most trusted brands.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Ready to find the perfect copier for your Columbus office?
Whether you need a short-term copy machine rental (less than one year) or a long-term copier lease (one year and up), the experts at Copier Lease Columbus are here to help. We are a trusted local provider, backed by the nationwide network of Clear Choice Technical Services.
Get a fast, personalized quote based on your specific needs and volume requirements.
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