ir0b0t's Journal: Of Telephones And Copy Machines . .

This is a brief note that small professional offices here in my neck of the woods typically overspend by ridiculous amounts when buying phone systems and copiers.

In my experience, its not uncommon for professionals here to spend $3,000 or more on a telephone system that delivers no more service than $300 worth of off-the-shelf AT&T Speakerphones.

The other area of excess capitalization is copy machines. One attorney I know spent $14,000.00 to purchase a copy machine for an office that was crowded with two attorneys practicing there.

The added irony of purchasing (as opposed to leasing) an overpowered copy machine is that the service contract costs the office even more unless someone on the staff happens to be an expert on the features of such a powerful machine.

And if there was an expert on staff, that person would point out the futility of purchasing such a powerful copier to serve such a small office.

The answer to the copy machine problem is to spend closer to $600 on a smaller machine that fits a smaller office. Its plenty powerful and needs no service contract.