When your business needs a new printer or photocopier, one of the first decisions you may face is whether to purchase brand-new equipment or consider a refurbished machine.
For some businesses, buying new is the obvious choice. For others, a quality refurbished printer can provide the functionality they need while keeping the initial investment under control.
The important thing is not to assume that one option is automatically right for every business.
Instead, consider how the equipment will be used, what your business needs from the machine and what level of support you expect from your printer supplier.
At The Copier Man, we have 37+ years of experience repairing and refurbishing printers, including 6+ years of specialised experience with Toshiba Corporate. This technical knowledge supports our photocopier and printer sales in Brisbane, giving businesses access to equipment backed by genuine industry experience. Our range includes multifunction printers and other office equipment from recognised brands, with options to suit different workplaces, print volumes and business requirements.
So, should your business buy new or refurbished?
What Is a Refurbished Printer?
A refurbished printer is not simply a second-hand machine that has been taken from one office and placed into another.
The condition and refurbishment process can vary considerably depending on who is selling the equipment.
For businesses considering refurbished equipment, it is important to understand:
- Who inspected the machine
- Whether it has been serviced
- Whether parts have been replaced where required
- Whether the equipment has been tested
- What warranty is provided
- Whether technical support is available
- Whether toner and replacement parts can still be sourced
This is why choosing the supplier can be just as important as choosing the machine.
The Copier Man states that its refurbished photocopiers are serviced in its South Brisbane workshop by a Toshiba-trained factory technician, with quality parts used and applicable refurbished equipment backed by The Copier Man warranty.
What Are the Benefits of Buying a New Printer?
There are several reasons a business may prefer new equipment.
You Are Starting With New Equipment
For businesses that want the latest available equipment, buying new provides access to current models and features.
This can be particularly relevant if your workplace has specific requirements around functionality, connectivity or document workflows.
You Can Choose the Equipment Around Your Requirements
When buying new, you can generally start with your requirements and identify a machine that fits them.
Instead of choosing from what is currently available in the refurbished market, you can discuss the features and capabilities your business needs and compare appropriate new models.
It May Suit a Long-Term Equipment Strategy
Some businesses prefer to purchase new equipment and keep it for an extended period.
If you expect your printer to form part of your office setup for years, buying new may be a consideration worth discussing.
You May Want the Latest Features
Newer equipment may offer features that are important to your business.
However, it is worth asking whether your employees will actually use those features.
A machine with a long list of capabilities is not necessarily better for your business if most of them are irrelevant to your day-to-day work.
What Are the Benefits of Buying a Refurbished Printer?
Refurbished equipment can be worth considering for businesses that want to manage their upfront expenditure without necessarily moving down to basic equipment.
Lower Upfront Cost
One of the main reasons businesses consider refurbished equipment is the potential to reduce the initial purchase price.
This can be useful when a business needs a capable machine but wants to allocate its available budget elsewhere.
Access to Established Business Equipment
A refurbished machine may allow a business to access a higher-specification piece of office equipment than it would consider purchasing brand new.
For example, a business may require a multifunction printer with features designed for a busy office but may not want to pay the full price of brand-new equipment.
It Can Be a Practical Upgrade Path
Replacing an ageing printer with a quality refurbished machine can provide an alternative to continuing to spend money repairing equipment that is no longer meeting the business’s needs.
The key is to assess the condition and suitability of the refurbished machine rather than simply looking at the price.
Is a Refurbished Printer Reliable?
This is one of the most common questions businesses ask.
The answer depends heavily on the individual machine and the supplier.
A refurbished printer from an experienced supplier that has been inspected, serviced and supported is a very different proposition from purchasing an untested second-hand machine from an unknown seller.
When comparing refurbished printer sales options, ask the supplier about:
- Service history
- Refurbishment work
- Replacement parts
- Testing
- Warranty
- Technical support
- Toner availability
- Future servicing
The Copier Man has been servicing and selling printers and photocopiers for decades, and its website states that refurbished equipment is serviced by experienced technicians before being offered to customers.
What About Warranty and After-Sales Support?
A printer is a business tool.
If it stops working, the impact can go beyond the cost of the repair itself. Employees may be unable to print documents, processes can slow down and important work may be delayed.
This makes after-sales support an important consideration when buying either new or refurbished equipment.
The Copier Man provides warranty support on applicable equipment and offers printer and photocopier repairs, servicing and maintenance for Brisbane businesses.
When comparing suppliers, find out exactly what support is available after the purchase.
Should You Buy a New or Refurbished Multifunction Printer?
The same decision applies to multifunction printers.
A multifunction machine can combine printing, scanning and copying in one piece of equipment, which can make it particularly useful in a busy office.
If your business requires a multifunction printer, compare both new and refurbished options.
Consider:
- Your monthly print volume
- Number of users
- Colour requirements
- A3 requirements
- Scanning requirements
- Print speed
- Paper capacity
- Network requirements
- Budget
- Expected lifespan
- Servicing requirements
The Copier Man supplies both new and refurbished multifunction printers and photocopiers, including equipment from brands such as Xerox, Toshiba, Lexmark and Kyocera.
New vs Refurbished: Which Is More Suitable for a Large Business?
For larger businesses, the decision can be more involved because the equipment may be shared by multiple employees or departments.
A business should consider what happens if the machine experiences an issue, how quickly support can be provided and whether the equipment can handle the expected workload.
This is where a conversation with an experienced printer supplier can be useful.
Rather than simply asking, “What’s the cheapest machine?”, ask:
“What machine is appropriate for the way our business prints?”
That question can lead to a much more useful discussion.
What Should You Check Before Buying a Refurbished Printer?
If you are still considering how to choose the right printer for your business, please refer to our guide. If you are considering refurbished printer sales specifically, ask the following questions before committing.
1. Has the machine been professionally serviced?
Find out who performed the servicing and what was checked.
2. Has it been tested?
You want to know that the equipment is functioning correctly before it arrives at your workplace.
3. What warranty is included?
Do not assume that all refurbished machines have the same warranty.
4. Are replacement parts available?
Ask whether parts and consumables are still accessible.
5. Can the machine be serviced locally?
Local technical support can be valuable when your business relies heavily on its printer.
6. Is toner readily available?
A printer is not much use if obtaining the correct toner becomes difficult.
7. Does the machine suit your workload?
Do not buy a machine simply because it is inexpensive. Make sure it can handle your expected usage.
What Should You Check When Buying a New Printer?
Buying new does not mean you should skip the research.
You should still ask:
- What is the recommended workload?
- What are the running costs?
- How much does toner cost?
- What maintenance is required?
- What happens when the machine needs a repair?
- Is installation included?
- Is staff training available?
- Is there a warranty?
- Can the supplier provide ongoing support?
These questions help you understand the total solution rather than simply the initial purchase.
What About the Long-Term Cost?
The purchase price is only one part of the cost of owning a printer.
Businesses should consider:
Initial purchase + toner + maintenance + repairs + parts + downtime
The exact costs will depend on the machine and how heavily it is used.
For a busy office, the ongoing running costs can be just as important as the initial price.
This is why it is worth discussing your expected print volume with a specialist before making a decision.
Could Refurbished Be the Right Choice for Your Business?
There is no universal answer.
A business that wants the latest available equipment may prefer new.
A business that wants to control its initial expenditure or access established equipment at a different price point may want to investigate refurbished options.
The important thing is to compare the machines based on:
- Suitability
- Condition
- Reliability
- Running costs
- Warranty
- Support
- Expected usage
- Total cost
Choosing a Printer Supplier Matters
Whether you purchase new or refurbished, your relationship with the supplier can be important.
The Copier Man provides printer sales, photocopier sales, repairs, toner, maintenance and support to businesses across Brisbane and surrounding areas and has access to the latest manuals and software.
The company also provides delivery, installation and setup for clients in its service area and offers training for core staff members at a competitive price.
This means businesses can discuss not only which machine to purchase, but also what happens after the equipment arrives.
New vs Refurbished: Start With Your Business Requirements
Choosing between a new and refurbished printer should begin with your business requirements rather than a simple preference for one option.
Think about how much you print, how many people use the machine, what functions you need and what level of support you expect.
Then compare the available equipment and look at the complete cost of ownership.
If you are unsure which direction to take, speaking with an experienced printer sales company can help you understand the options available for your workplace.
Find the Right Printer for Your Business
Whether you’re looking for a new multifunction printer, a refurbished office machine, or weighing up buying vs leasing a printer, The Copier Man can help you compare your options and find equipment suited to your business. With 60+ five-star reviews, businesses across Brisbane can rely on The Copier Man for practical advice on printers, photocopiers and office printing equipment.
Explore printer and photocopier sales in Brisbane or speak to The Copier Man specialoists about your printing requirements, including new and refurbished printer options.
