Copier Reviews: How to Spot Fakes and Get Reliable Info

FACT: There are hundreds of copiers out there you could choose for your business.

REALITY: You do not have the time or the desire to sort through information about all of them!

Choosing an office copier probably feels like a time-consuming chore that keeps you from more important business. So how can you make a choice you won’t regret without spending days doing research? Many buyers turn to online copier reviews to find out what experts have to say and what other buyers have experienced. Checking out photocopier reviews can be helpful for identifying the most reliable copiers and eliminating the ones likely to disappoint you.

The problem is, not all copier reviews are reliable. Many are biased and not backed by thorough testing by printing technology experts.

In fact, reviews only tell half the story because your copier or multifunction printer is only as good as the support you get, and reviews don’t ordinarily include that.

Here’s some advice that can help you avoid biased copy machine reviews and get information you can trust, so you can make a choice you’ll be happy with and get back to more important tasks.

Beware of biased copier reviews online

When you search for copier reviews online, you’ll find that most are written by the people who want to sell you copiers or hire them to provide service and support. Clearly there is self-interest and bias reflected in those reviews, even if it’s not intentional.

You might find an impartial review of, for example, “top 10 office copiers of 2019” published by a media company. Copier reviews like these only reveal which models performed best in their very limited (if any) testing of a few basic criteria. But they can’t tell you which model is the best fit for your business.

Here are the common mistakes we see people make when choosing a copier. They choose a model with good reviews and a good price without understanding if it will meet their specific printing and scanning needs. And they don’t think about ongoing service.

The fact is, modern multifunction printers / copiers have smart features that make your employees more productive. There are significant differences between manufacturers and models, including reliability, ease of use, security, and speed. And, every business has different needs and priorities when it comes to office printing, scanning, and faxing. If you want to be happy with your choice, it really does pay to get trustworthy advice.

So skip the biased office copier reviews. Keep reading for tips on faster and more reliable ways to choose a copier.

Better ways to get fast, reliable information about copiers

You’re going to live with your copier for at least a few years, and you don’t want to be stuck with one that jams all the time, is too slow for your needs, or doesn’t offer a valuable feature that you didn’t know about. Security features and mobile printing often fall into that last category.

How can you avoid making a mistake? Here are two strategies.

Stick to unbiased review sites like Buyer’s Lab. If you want copier reviews based on thorough testing and technology expertise, take a look at the test reports and pick awards available from Keypoint Intelligence Buyer’s Lab. For more than 50 years, Buyer’s Lab has been a trusted resource for unbiased and trustworthy information and test data about the copy and print industry. They thoroughly test just about every brand and model, so this is a great source for comparing models before you purchase. Looking at awards can help you identify the leading manufacturers in the print category you need.

Let the experts guide you to the best model for your needs and your budget. Before you even begin looking at copier reviews, save yourself some time and work with an experienced print vendor to help you narrow down the options.

If you’re like many people, you might shy away from calling a salesperson. However, when you spend just a few minutes answering questions about your business and your printing needs, you can get smart recommendations that you wouldn’t think about on your own. Ideas that save you hours of pouring over printer specs, and also ideas that can reduce your print costs above and beyond the cost of the equipment itself.

Read this case study to get an idea of the kind of money you can save.

If you’re in the New York City area, you can trust SOS to give you good advice without the hard sell you’re probably looking to avoid. Give us a call anytime.

Choose your office technology vendor as carefully as you choose the machine

The truth is, service can make all the difference between a copier that performs well and one that disrupts your business. That’s why who you buy from is just as important – sometimes even more important – than the model you choose.

For example:

• What if your vendor could make sure you never run out of ink or toner, and that you never have to think about ordering it?
• What happens when your equipment goes down at a critical time (isn’t that always when it happens)? How fast can your vendor respond and get you back up and running?
• Can they diagnose issues remotely?
• Do they provide preventative maintenance to avoid breakdowns in the first place?

These are important questions to consider before you decide on a copier. And, you can actually tell if you’re going to get good service before you buy. Find out how from our helpful guide.