In this article, we will help you get an answer to the question, “Why get a printer service contract?”, and also explore what is included when you opt for this type of agreement.
But first, what exactly is a printer service contract? This type of agreement typically includes an undertaking by the supplier of the device to service and maintain the unit for its expected life (or a specified fixed term) at a cost determined by the supplier upfront. These contracts are purchased coverage for copiers, printers, or other office equipment. These agreements are similar to short-term insurance for motor vehicles but with a few additional benefits.
A printer service contract is set up to provide technical support from a certified team in the event of any technical fault occurring with the device. While motor vehicle insurance will not usually include spare parts and fuel, most office equipment service and maintenance agreements include spares and consumables.
You can rest assured knowing that if anything went wrong with your printer, the problem will be taken care of by experts. That is one of the biggest reasons why you should consider getting a printer service contract.
What is Included?
At a minimum, the contract should include labour and materials required for any equipment repairs or service calls, as well as replacement parts, such as drums, fusers, feed rollers, and motors among others. Scheduled preventative maintenance on the equipment and staff training on its proper use should also be included. Ink and toner supply should also form part of the deal.
The majority of providers will include an allotted number of prints or copies per month that are included in the agreement before an additional cost per print is levied. In other words, if the usage of the machine is far higher than initially agreed upon, the cost per print will increase.
Agreements vary from supplier to supplier. It is vital that the agreement is read carefully and that any fine print with additional exclusions or situations not covered is thoroughly understood. For instance, labour and materials may be covered but only in respect of warrantied parts, or training may only be included for new devices on installation. Most copier maintenance agreements will not cover paper and staples should the device have a stapling function. Acts of nature or customer negligence are also not usually covered and would fall into the realm of normal short-term insurance.
Important Questions to Ask
When acquiring printers, copiers, or other office automation equipment, the following questions should be asked upfront:
- Is the servicing and maintenance of the device included as part of the deal?
- What exactly is covered by the agreement?
- Are all parts and labour for the device included, and do the labour and parts come with a warranty?
- Is a loan machine provided while a faulty device is repaired?
- Is there a guaranteed maximum turnaround time on site call-outs?
- Can devices under service and maintenance agreements be traded in or upgraded?
Often, companies will provide service to a printer on a “time and materials” basis, but be warned, this can often turn out to be prohibitively expensive should anything major go wrong with the device.
If you have been wondering “why get a printer service contract?”, hopefully, you have gained some clarity. Get in touch with our team at Raydian for more information. Why partner with us? Because we are the experts you can rely on for all your printer needs.