Like other common phrases, "cut out the middle man" has some logic. Sometimes there are advantages to working directly with a manufacturer!
But when it comes to printing and copying equipment, you might be surprised to learn how this conventional wisdom holds up—or doesn't.
To put it briefly, dealers typically offer lower costs than manufacturers.
You would think that purchasing directly from a manufacturer would always result in a better value. However, this is typically not the case with printing equipment.
This is the cause:
There may be a big difference between the printer with the most features and the one that will provide the best return on investment because every organisation prints differently. Something that saves a lot of money and time for one organisation might not work at all for another.
A good dealer will probably ask you a lot of questions and examine products from multiple manufacturers to find the best fit before offering a recommendation. You won't get the same quality of service from a manufacturer.
In general, dealers will provide faster service than manufacturers.
Another misconception people often hold is that the manufacturer would do better at servicing its machines. On the contrary, a dealership gets special recognition for its ability to maintain and service the machine, and the manufacturer often certifies the employees. We have had the pleasure of working with some great vendors such as Canon, Kyocera, Konica Minolta, Ricoh and Triumph Adler, among many others.
Furthermore, not being a producer of what it sells, a dealer would be more motivated to provide good customer service, much like custom advice.
Working with a dealer gives you dedicated account management in place of generic assistance lines.
The following are things that a manufacturer does not offer:
The opposite is true when dealing with a dealer. In addition to receiving their direct phone number, email address, and perhaps even a Christmas card, you will spend less on your equipment. Additionally, if that dealer also provides managed print services, you'll have someone who understands how to maintain a good working relationship with your business.
The majority of copier dealers will outperform manufacturers in terms of cost, customer support, and technical support. However, some will do a little more than others, so before choosing who will earn your business, give them a call or do some research online.
Key factors to evaluate:
Before moving on, we should talk a little more about security because too many manufacturers and dealers neglect to do so, and too many businesses are ignorant of the risks.
Although networked printing machines are often not handled with the same care as laptops and servers, they can be a possible point of entry for hackers. As a result, the default admin password is never left on any printer or copier at Officeproducts.ae. If you're relying on your staff to do this, even though it might not seem like much, your trust may be misguided. Forty per cent of IT workers admit that they don't change default admin passwords despite the security risk.
You and your copier dealer will have a long-term relationship that may last the whole life of your equipment. Asking challenging questions up front and keeping an eye out for troublesome habits will save you a lot of frustration and money later on.
A: Due to their varied revenue streams, dealers can operate with lower markups, hence they usually offer better prices.
A: The manufacturers themselves certify dealer technicians, and they frequently get specific recognition for the excellence of their services.
A: An independent dealer offers individualised account management, fair rates, objective guidance on equipment from many manufacturers, and solid ties to the neighbourhood.
A: Both are important factors. The lowest initial price will likely cost you extra money in the long term due to bad servicing that leads to more downtime. Remember that service is a huge component of the total cost of ownership.
A: Use search engines to look for copier dealers within your city, read their customer reviews on websites like Google and the BBB, get referrals from other companies, and pay attention to their reputation, experience, and pricing policy.
A. Officeproducts.ae has real branch offices in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and other parts of the United Arab Emirates and serves print clients nationally.
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