Service and maintenance is a fact of life for many of the products that you deal with on a daily basis, from cars to office equipment, and no matter the product you have options when it comes to replacement parts that are used. With your car for example, you can return to the garage at your point of purchase, where OEM (original equipment manufacturer) parts will be used, or you can take your vehicle to the garage of your choice and take a chance on their make and reliability of the parts they may put in to your vehicle.
How Printing Equipment Compares
When you buy or lease a copier, printer or MFP (multi-function printer), odds are that whoever sold or leased you the equipment is also your service provider, leaving you at their mercy when it comes to the service and repairs. While it typically doesn’t occur to customers to ask what type of parts are being used, not doing so can be risky.
Know What You’re Getting Yourself Into
Failing to clarify the details of your service agreement can result in the use of cheaper, aftermarket parts, where the service provider saves between 20 and 40 percent over OEM parts, none of which are typically passed on to the customer. Aside from overpayment, additional risks exist, including:
- Use of aftermarket parts may void the manufacturer’s warranty.
- Third party parts may lead to premature equipment failure, or additional, costly repairs.
Protect Your Business and Your Investment
The only way to guarantee that OEM parts are being utilized in your printing equipment is by asking the right questions of your supplier before you sign any contracts.
- Will you be using OEM or aftermarket parts for maintenance throughout the life of the contract?
- What are the terms & conditions of the warranty or replacement guarantee?
- If aftermarket parts are used for any reason, will this render the warranty null and void?
Using OEM parts that are manufactured to the exact specifications of your printing equipment, can help guarantee their integrity, reliability and longevity. A well maintained, multi-function printer, copier, fax, scanner or all-in-one device can help increase productivity in your office and streamline your print network; your service provider can provide you peace of mind by ensuring that only OEM parts are being used, allowing you to focus your time on more important matters.
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