This is probably the second most common question we hear from business owners in Lafourche, Terrebonne, and Jefferson parishes. The answer depends on your cash flow, your print volume, and how long you plan to keep the equipment.
When Leasing Makes More Sense
Leasing is usually the better option for small to mid-size businesses. There is little to no money down. Your monthly payment is predictable and typically includes a full service agreement — toner, parts, labor, and repairs are all bundled in. When the lease ends in three to five years, you can upgrade to a newer machine with better technology. You also avoid getting stuck with an aging copier that is expensive to repair and no longer supported by the manufacturer.
When Buying Makes More Sense
Buying works well if you have the cash available and your printing needs are not going to change much over the next five to seven years. Once you pay off the machine, there are no more monthly payments — though you will still need to budget for toner and occasional repairs. Purchased equipment can also be fully deducted as a business expense in the year you buy it, which can be a tax advantage.
The Total Cost Question
Over the life of a lease, you will pay more in total than if you bought the same machine outright. That is the trade-off for spreading the cost out and having service included. But for most of our customers, the monthly savings and the peace of mind of not worrying about repair bills makes leasing the more practical choice.
What Most of Our Customers Choose
About three out of four businesses we work with across South Louisiana choose to lease. The ones who buy are usually offices with very low print volume or businesses that already know exactly what they need and plan to keep it for a long time. We offer both options and can walk you through the numbers either way — just give us a call.