The Importance of Understanding Who is Responsible for the Removal of Your Copier
When leasing a copier, it’s important to carefully read though the “end of lease” term commitments and understand what you’re responsible for, especially when it comes to the removal of your copier.
Surprisingly, a number of businesses fail to realize that they have committed to pay a copier removal fee upon signing the lease agreement. If you’re not prepared for this expense, it can be shocking when the invoice is received.
Typically, businesses are given one of two options at the end of a copier lease:
- They can return the copier themselves. However, most of the destinations stipulated by the leasing companies are located on the East coast (where the majority of the warehouses are located), which can be a costly expense depending on the business’s location.
- They can pay the vendor to remove the copier. Doing this, though, can result in a hefty fee considering that copiers can weigh as much as 300 or 400 pounds.
Removal fees are generally broken down into two key areas:
First, there is a cost to remove the liquids inside the copier, decommission the hard drive, and package the equipment to minimize any damage that could occur in transit.
The second part of the copier removal fee is related to the actual physical transit of the copier. An insurance fee will be assessed to cover the asset in transit, which can be as much as $600 alone. Then there is, of course, the cost to physically move the copier.
It’s important to take the time to clearly understand your obligations (if any) for removing the copier from you workplace once your lease expires. Some vendors, like Xerox, may offer deals or discounts which can save you money and eliminate the shock factor that can come from receiving un unexpected invoice at the end of your equipment lease.
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