Sharp Copier Leasing: What Is Included and How to Compare Offers

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Thinking about a Sharp copier lease? See what a lease usually includes, how to size your device, and what to compare between offers before you sign.

Serving Philadelphia Since 1999 | 7 min read

If your office needs a copier for a year or more, a lease is usually the most practical way to get one. You get a Sharp device matched to your work, a service plan behind it, and a payment structure that fits how a business plans its spending.

The hard part is comparing offers. Two quotes can look alike on the surface and cover very different things. This guide explains what a Sharp copier lease usually bundles, how to size the device, and what to look at when you compare offers.

What a Sharp Copier Lease Usually Includes

A lease is more than a machine. A well-built lease is a package, and each piece should be spelled out in writing.

The equipment

This is the Sharp copier or multifunction device itself. A multifunction device copies, prints, scans and often faxes. Most offices choose one because it replaces several separate machines.

The quote should name the exact model and list any added options, such as extra paper trays, a finisher or a stand.

Delivery and setup

Delivery gets the device to your office. Setup gets it working. That usually means connecting it to your network, installing print drivers on your computers, and setting up scan destinations such as email or shared folders.

Ask whether staff training is part of setup. A device that people do not know how to use rarely delivers its full value.

A service agreement

The service agreement covers repairs and maintenance while the device is under lease. It is the part many buyers overlook, and it matters most in daily use. Ask what the agreement covers, such as parts, labor and routine maintenance visits, and how you request service when something goes wrong.

Supplies under a cost per page plan

Many leases bundle toner and other supplies into a cost per page plan. You pay based on the pages the device produces, and the plan covers the supplies needed to make them. Black and white pages and color pages are often counted separately.

Check what is excluded. Paper and staples are commonly not part of the plan. Make sure you know which supplies are covered and which you buy yourself.

How to Size the Device

A device that is too small slows your team down and wears out early. A device that is too large costs you more than you need to spend. Sizing is where a good lease starts.

Monthly volume

Start with how many pages your office produces each month. Look at your current device if you have one. Many machines can print a usage report, and a supplier can help you read it.

Count copies, prints and scans. Then think about the future. If you are hiring or adding services, your volume may grow.

Color share

Next, estimate how many of those pages need color. Some offices print mostly black and white and only need color for a few marketing pieces or reports. Others print color all day.

Your color share affects the model you choose and the cost per page plan you need. Be honest here, because color pages are usually priced differently from black and white pages.

Paper sizes and media

Most offices run standard letter size paper. Some also need legal or tabloid size for drawings, spreadsheets or forms. If you print on heavier stock, labels or envelopes, tell your supplier so the device and trays are chosen to match.

If you print large drawings or posters, a wide format printer may fit better than a standard copier. Sharp offers those too, and we can talk through which fits your work.

Finishing and features

Finishing means what the device does after printing. Think stapling, hole punching and booklet making. Think about the features your team will actually use as well:

  • Scan to email or to a shared folder
  • Secure release printing, where a job prints only after the user signs in at the device
  • Mobile printing from phones and tablets
  • Large document feeders for multi page originals

Choose features for how your team works, not for a long list on a brochure.

Lease Terms and End of Term Options

The term is how long the lease runs. Terms are measured in years, and the right length depends on how long you expect your needs to stay the same. A shorter term gives you a chance to update sooner. A longer term spreads the cost out further.

At the end of the term, you generally have a few choices. The exact options depend on your agreement, so read this section closely:

  • Return the equipment
  • Upgrade to a newer device and start a new lease
  • Continue using the current device under the terms the agreement allows
  • Purchase the equipment, if the agreement offers that option

For a closer look at the language that shows up in these contracts, see our guide on understanding your copier lease agreement.

Lease accounting and tax treatment vary from business to business. Talk to your accountant about how a lease fits your books before you sign.

What to Compare Between Offers

When you have two or three quotes in hand, line them up side by side. Here is what to compare.

Term length

Is the term the same in each quote? A longer term can make a monthly figure look smaller, but it also keeps you in the agreement longer. Compare like with like.

Service terms

Read what the service agreement covers. Ask who performs the service, how you request it, and whether parts and labor are both included. A quote that looks simpler may cover less.

Overage

Many cost per page plans include a set number of pages and charge for pages beyond that. Ask how overage is calculated and how often it is billed. If your volume swings from month to month, this detail matters.

Supplies included

Confirm which supplies are in the plan. Toner is the main one. Ask about other items, such as drums or waste containers, so there are no surprises.

Upgrade options

Ask what happens if your needs change. Can you move to a larger or smaller Sharp device partway through the term? Is there a process for adding a second device? Flexibility is worth knowing about before you need it.

End of lease terms

Ask what you must do to return the equipment and whether any conditions apply. Get the end of term options in writing, and ask when you need to notify the supplier about your decision.

Total picture, not one line

Do not compare only a single line on the quote. Compare the whole package: equipment, service, supplies, overage and end of term. Leasing companies structure their offers in different ways, and a fair comparison looks at everything together.

Why Local Service Matters

A copier is a working tool. When it stops, work slows down, so who services it matters as much as who leases it.

Associated Imaging Solutions is located at 165 Veterans Way, Suite 100A, in Warminster, Bucks County. We have served businesses across the Delaware Valley since 1999, including Bucks, Montgomery, Chester and Delaware counties and Philadelphia. We are an authorized Sharp business partner, so you work with one local team for the equipment, the lease and the service.

Local service also means a team that knows the area. We can speak with you about your office, your workflow and how you use your devices, and we do not have to guess from a distance. You can read more about Associated Imaging Solutions on our site.

Questions to Ask Before You Sign

Before you commit, ask each supplier these questions:

  • What exactly does the service agreement cover?
  • Which supplies are included in the cost per page plan?
  • How is overage calculated?
  • What are my choices at the end of the term?
  • Can I change devices if my needs change?
  • Who will install the device and set it up on our network?

Clear answers, written down, make for a better lease. If a supplier cannot explain a term simply, keep asking until it makes sense.

Get a Lease Quote for Your Office

Leasing a Sharp copier works best when the device, the service and the terms all match how your office really works. Pricing is by quote, because every office is different.

Associated Imaging Solutions can help you size a Sharp copier or multifunction device and walk you through a lease quote. Call us at (215) 999-8445 and we will talk through your needs.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a Sharp copier lease usually include?

A Sharp copier lease usually bundles the equipment, delivery and setup, and a service agreement for repairs and maintenance. Many leases also include supplies such as toner under a cost per page plan. Paper is often not included. Always ask for a written list of what is covered so you can compare offers fairly.

How do I choose the right size Sharp copier for my office?

Start with your monthly page volume, including copies, prints and scans. Then estimate how many pages need color, which paper sizes you use, and which finishing features you need, such as stapling. Think about growth too. A supplier can review your usage report with you and recommend a model that fits.

What are my options when a copier lease ends?

Options depend on your agreement, but they commonly include returning the equipment, upgrading to a newer device with a new lease, continuing under the agreement’s terms, or purchasing the equipment if the lease allows it. Ask for these choices in writing before you sign, and confirm any notice requirements.

Should I rent or lease a copier?

Most businesses that need a copier for a year or more choose a lease. A lease bundles the equipment with service and supplies, and it gives you a clear term and a plan for what happens at the end. Talk with us about your needs, and we can recommend the right fit.

Get a Quote From Associated Imaging Solutions

Providing solutions to make businesses run more productively, more reliably, and more efficiently.

GET A QUOTE

Or call (215) 999-8445. You can also contact us online.

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