You want to get your money's worth out of expensive office equipment, but when does hanging onto an old machine start to cost more than it’s worth?
As your copier printer ages, it will naturally start encountering more problems, and when these problems start to occur, you’re likely spending more time and money on maintenance than the machine is worth. Trading in your current machine will likely save you money and increase productivity.
Our printer experts at STPT have been in the business for almost 40 years, and we want to use our know-how to help you maintain your copier printer for as long as possible.
However, there comes a time when a copier printer is worth less than the money and time needed to maintain it. Keep reading to learn 4 signs it may be time to start shopping for a new copier printer, so you’re never left without a working machine.
1. Print Quality Decreases
This is an immediate sign that something is wrong. The parts in a multifunction printer, when working correctly, should always print high-quality copies. Assuming that toner is low or needs replacing when print quality has deteriorated may not always be accurate.
If using OEM (original equipment manufacturer) toner, low toner will not change print quality.
Your machine will print effectively until the toner is completely replenished. Then, your copier printer will stop printing altogether and display the replace toner message.
If the print quality is suffering, don’t assume low toner is nothing to worry about, give a service technician a call to check the machine.
2. Service Is Required More Often
Another sign to watch out for is repeat service calls. Repeat service, especially for similar problems, is a sign it may be time to start looking for a new laser printer.
If your machine is covered under a service agreement, your vendor should ensure that your issues are resolved quickly, and you aren’t left with a machine that is not working.
If you ask your technicians about the age and condition of your machine, they can give you an honest evaluation that will help you determine whether your machine needs to be replaced.
3. Your Printer Is An Older Model
Just like cars or phones, newer and updated printer models are continuously produced.
As this happens, older all in one color laser printer models get phased out and parts become harder to find. The brand-new copier you just bought won’t be extinct next year, but the phasing out process happens over time.
Many major vendors will notify their customers when their model is approaching the end of service. However, if you purchased a small printer from retail giants like Wal-Mart or Amazon, you may not know when your printer will become obsolete.
4. Your Copier Printer Is Visibly Falling Apart
A simple visual investigation of your machine can also be a good indicator of whether you should start looking for a new copier/printer. If the cover starts to break, or the trays don’t slide out like they used to, or if your machine looks like it’s from the 90s, call out a service tech for further investigation.
Any pieces that start to break or fall off are most likely integral to holding everything together. Don’t take this lightly or try to duct tape pieces back together: call your service tech.
Trust Your Service Tech
We don't want to sound like a broken record, but it important that you contact your service technician if there is a problem with your machine.
If you’re having poor quality prints, repeat service, or know that you own an older laser printer model, call your service tech to check your machine. Technicians can run reports to analyze the service history, visibly examine parts that tend to give out first, and check the trouble codes in the machine for patterns in the failure.
After you call a technician or go online to request service, make sure you listen to your tech's advice. They are there to help you. If they say it’s time to start looking for a new machine, then it’s probably time to start looking for a new machine.
Preventative Measures for Printer Maintenance
As technology advances, copier printers do a great job of keeping themselves up and running. However, precautions can be taken to assist machines in operating smoothly for as long as possible.
Do not abuse the machine. Shut trays and doors gently. Double-check that paper is inserted properly before closing the trays. Additionally, ensure that all supplies are inserted correctly before closing the doors.
Try not to move the machine. During the initial purchase, clear out a spot in the office where your copier/printer can stay for the remainder of its life. Ask the sales rep, or service tech, if the spot picked will be safe for your machine. Small or enclosed spaces could potentially cause problems or pose a fire hazard.
If you do need to move your machine, then contact your service tech for proper instructions. Moving a copier/printer incorrectly can cause damages or mess up other systems, like your auto toner shipment.
Everything discussed today is designed to ensure you are not stuck shelling out money on maintenance and new parts. The amount of money and time it costs to continuously repair the same parts can be used to upgrade to a more technologically advanced machine.
