25 Questions To Ask Copier and Printer Providers

2 MINUTE READ

You’ve done your research. You know who the top copier and printer providers are in town, but how can you tell who will be the best fit for your specific needs? Many companies fail when they overlook the long-term service capabilities to save a quick dollar.

Sometimes the best provider for you IS the cheapest, but sometimes there is a lot more to the story than up-front price. Quality service staff and capabilities long-term can save you thousands and avoid unnecessary downtime for your company. The right choice in provider can make all the difference.

In this article, we break down some frequently asked questions we receive from clients prior to signing the contract. By using these questions in an interview with potential copier providers, you will be on the right track to making the most informed decision for your business.

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SKIP THE LINE:
8 Questions to Get to Know Your Provider
5 Questions to Ask Yourself
12 Questions About Service Contracts
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8 Questions to Get to Know Your Provider

1. What is their average service call turn-time?
2. Where are they located?
3. What is the procedure for after-hour emergencies?
4. What is the standard contract length for a lease with them? (Typically, this is 5 years).
5. What is their Net Promotor Score (NPS)?
6. Can they provide current references and phone numbers?
7. What seperates them from the competition?
8. How can your products improve my business and deliver value?

Related Article: The Pros and Cons of Purchasing a Printer Online

5 Questions to Ask Yourself

1. Do you have a specific brand in mind? Certain providers may not carry the brand you are looking for, but may also be able to provide a great alternative.
2. How many times have you had your current machine serviced?
3. Are you looking for a standard machine or do you need all of the bells and whistles?
4. What features are most important to you? Think paper size, paper weight, stapling, booklet binding, hole punch, and more.
5. What does your purchase/lease timeframe look like?

12 Questions About Service Contracts

1. What is included in your service contract?
2. How long is the length of the service contract?
3. How will service save me money in the long-term?
4. What are the benefits of routine service?
5. Will your Managed Print Service (MPS) integrate with our existing IT network?
6. Does service include training our staff on new equipment?
7. Will your team proactively monitor our equipment to prevent downtime?
8. What standard software and hardware is included with your service contracts? What is extra?
9. How do you handle software updates?
10. Can you discuss your printer security measures and features?
11. Are warranties included?
12. What is NOT included in the service contract?

CONCLUSION

Depending on your unique business needs, each of the above questions will be weighted differently. Prior to meeting with any copier and printer providers, we recommend breaking down which questions are most important to you and which are not as crucial or irrelevant. This will help to keep your discussion moving in the right direction for a streamlined meeting that lets you get back to business.

Want a customized solution based on your needs? Not quite sure where to go from here? Let the experts at Ford Office Technologies give you a hand at 1-800-633-3673 or by emailing info@fordtech.com