The Advantages of Buying a Pre-Owned Copier or Printer

If you’re shopping for a copier or printer for your office, “new” isn’t always the smartest choice. For many NJ businesses, a pre-owned (refurbished) copier or MFP can deliver the same day-to-day performance at a significantly lower monthly cost—without sacrificing reliability.

The key is where the machine comes from and how it’s been maintained. Below are the biggest advantages of purchasing pre-owned equipment, plus a clear explanation of how Ameritechnology sources and supports refurbished copiers and printers.

1) Lower upfront cost (or lower monthly payment)

The most obvious advantage is budget. Pre-owned equipment typically costs less to purchase outright, and it can also reduce your monthly payment if you’re financing or leasing.

That can free up cash for other priorities—staff, software, marketing, or simply keeping operating expenses predictable.

2) Better value for offices with stable print needs

If your print volume is consistent and you don’t need the newest features, a pre-owned copier can be a strong fit. Many businesses primarily need:

• Reliable printing and copying

• Scanning to email/folder

• Secure printing (PIN release)

• Solid paper handling and finishing

In other words: performance and uptime matter more than the latest “nice-to-have” upgrades.

3) Faster availability (when the right unit is in stock)

Depending on supply chain conditions and model availability, pre-owned units can sometimes be deployed faster than brand-new equipment—especially when you’re selecting from inventory that’s already been in service and is ready to go.

For busy offices, faster deployment means fewer workarounds, fewer delays, and less disruption.

4) A practical option for short-term needs, growth phases, or secondary locations

Not every office situation calls for a long-term “forever” machine. Pre-owned equipment can be a smart choice when:

• You’re opening a satellite office

• You’re scaling headcount and need capacity quickly

• You need a backup device for peak periods

• You want to test a workflow before standardizing across locations

5) The biggest advantage: you can reduce risk when the provider knows the machine’s history

Here’s the part many buyers miss: the risk with used equipment isn’t that it’s “used.” The risk is unknown history—machines that were poorly maintained, pushed beyond duty cycle, or flipped through multiple hands.

That’s why sourcing matters as much as price.

How Ameritechnology handles used/refurbished copiers and printers

At Ameritechnology, we take a conservative approach to refurbished equipment because reliability is the whole point.

We only sell and rent refurbished equipment from our own lease returns

Our refurbished inventory comes from our own customers’ lease returns—machines we’ve supported and maintained throughout their life. We prioritize low page count, short-term machines that we’ve serviced since day one.

Customers get the first option to purchase at lease end

When a lease ends, the existing customer gets the first opportunity to purchase that machine. If they don’t, it may become part of our refurbished inventory.

We don’t buy used machines from remarketers to resell

We do not purchase used equipment from remarketers to flip to new customers. That’s intentional: it helps avoid the “mystery machine” problem—unknown service history, inconsistent maintenance, or hidden wear.

Clear warranty expectations

Warranty matters, especially with pre-owned equipment. In general, refurbished units come with a 90-day warranty, while new Kyocera equipment includes a 3-year parts warranty from the install date.

(If you’re comparing options, we’ll walk you through what’s covered and what to expect based on the specific model and usage.)

What to ask before buying a pre-owned copier or printer

If you’re evaluating refurbished equipment—whether from us or anyone else—these questions will protect you:

• Where did the machine come from? (Lease return vs. open-market used)

• Do you know the service history?

• What is the page count and expected duty cycle?

• What’s included in the warranty?

• Who provides service, and how fast can they respond?

Bottom line: pre-owned can be a smart move when it’s sourced responsibly

A pre-owned copier or printer can be an excellent value—if it comes from a trusted source and is backed by real service support.

If you’re in North Jersey and you want help comparing new vs. refurbished copiers, we’ll ask a few questions about your monthly volume, workflow, and must-have features—then recommend the most cost-effective option.

Quick FAQ

Is a refurbished copier reliable?

It can be—especially when it’s a lease return with a known service history and proper maintenance. The biggest risk is buying a machine with unknown history.

How much can I save buying pre-owned?

Savings vary by model and configuration, but pre-owned equipment often reduces upfront costs and can lower monthly payments.

Does Ameritechnology sell “random used” copiers?

No. Ameritechnology sells and rents refurbished equipment only from our own lease returns, and we do not buy used equipment from remarketers to resell.

What warranty comes with refurbished equipment?

Refurbished units typically come with a 90-day warranty. New Kyocera equipment includes a 3-year parts warranty from the install date.