Saving Money by Using Pre-Owned Office Equipment

If you work in an office or you have put together an office for work in your home, you know how expensive it can be to purchase all of the equipment you need. A desk, computer, printer and the basics for organizing your household will be sufficient for keeping your house organized. However, if you work from home, will need more sophisticated equipment. This is especially true for those sharing an office with others. You will need strong, reliable equipment because it will be used several times weekly by many. It does require maintenance to keep it in good working order. If you know you will be shopping for expensive machines like prepress equipment with CTP, consider refurbished versions of your top picks. Just because a machine is used does not mean the quality is lower. From simple, everday office equipment to complex machines, buying them used can save you a lot of money.

Even if you are just shopping for a home office you can save a bundle buying the equipment used. From things like printer cartridges and printers to computer and fax machines, buying these items used is less expensive. To purchase gently used items you can shop at flea markets or garage sales. Many of them are out of date, but they work if they were kept in good repair. Before buying a used piece of office equipment, speak with the prevous owner about any parts that may be missing. Make sure all USB cables are included, and find out if you can still purchase accessories like ink. Ask for the handbook, but if they do not have it, you can find it on the Internet. Talk to the owner about the performance of the machine. Even if they spare you some of the headaches, you can at least get an idea of what you are getting into. Because of the cheaper cost, it may be worth the investment for even an imperfect machine.

If you rebuilt is your choice, make sure you choose a professional company. Ask for references, look up online reviews, and spend some time familiarizing yourself with yoru company of choice. If they are reputable, they will be happy to answer all of your questions. Determine exactly what you need and speak to them about how they can help. Have some thoughts on alternative models and then look for them used or refurbished. This way, you can get exactly what you need for a cost you can afford.

Five Things To Consider When Deciding On A Maintenance Service For Your Printing Equipment

Anyone who is interested in establishing an independently owned printing shop would be well advised to consider purchasing used and refurbished machinery. These machines provide the ability to supply massive amounts of quality print output and will offer significant savings over brand new. It is feasible to obtain the essential prepress equipment and the CTP capabilities required for a mere fraction of the cost of new machinery and will be every bit as efficient. Huge orders demand printers that are in a-one shape and not likely to stop working abruptly that would cause problems meeting client deadlines so regularly scheduled maintenance particularly on used and refurbished gear is an absolute must. This guarantees predictable dependability when your printing work horses are needed the most. But, what should you be looking for in a business that offers maintenance on the machines will meet your high standards? Here are several things to look for before entering a maintenance contract:

1. What do their existing customers rate them? References should not only be supplied by a prospective provider but should definitely be followed up on. Other similar companies have nothing to gain by not revealing their satisfaction, or lack thereof with the service currently being offered and you might gain valuable insights on the company.

2. Are the maintenance employees fully knowledgeable in the upkeep and functionality of each of your machines? This is even more important when you have invested heavily in used and refurbished gear and the technology is older and perhaps has not even been taught to a young novice.

3. What is the procedure when it comes to after hour service calls? Does the maintenance fee cover these costs or does the rate rise exorbitantly high if service is required on a weekend or even a holiday if you are forced to work extra hours to complete a client order? Emergencies of this kind may not happen very often but they do occur and should be anticipated when considering the services of a maintenance company.

4. Will you be assigned a worker who will consistently visit your place of business and will be given the responsibility to discuss his findings with you personally each time he comes? This is a great way to follow up on a written assessment of the condition of your printing devices and will establish rapport for a more comfortable working relationship. It also will inform you of the present state of any given machine and will provide a heads up that its working life may be coming to an end and will have to be replaced soon.

5. Is there an established contact person in the event of a true emergency such as a lightning strike or a fire at your business? Who is the authorized person to provide you with above and beyond service in your time of need business owner. Every business owner ought to have in black and white an emergency plan that includes names and phone numbers not only of all employees but also any service provider that could render assistance in an emergency.