Profitable business of used copiers favored by their life cycle
Photocopiers are designed by major global brands such as CANON, TOSHIBA, RICOH, XEROX, KONICA MINOLTA… Each brand markets a range at a time, which represents between 10 and 15 models of photocopiers. Ranges are renewed on average every 2 to 4 years, the trend among designers being to renew ranges more and more quickly. Indeed, they seek to make their own business more profitable.
On its arrival on the market, the photocopier is rented as new under a lease contract by the European distributors of the brands. These provide a maintenance service to their customers, companies of all types, liberal professions, associations, etc. The duration of these leasing contracts is generally 4 years. Finally, at the end of the leasing contracts, either the tenant company can buy its photocopier, or it returns it to the rental company. At that time, if the used photocopier does not find a buyer, it can potentially be discarded, classified directly as WEEE (waste electrical and electronic equipment). Obviously, this is where the business of used photocopiers starts and can quickly become profitable.
How long does it last as a second-hand equipment?
Photocopier brands follow spare parts for approximately 10 years after a range is discontinued. Any photocopier is therefore easily repairable during this period. For new spare parts, distributors can also count on used spare parts which are available from wholesalers of used photocopiers or from sellers of consumables. As a result, photocopiers can easily last between 10 to 15 years, that is to say about 10 years at the end of the leasing contract.
How profitable can be this business ?
A new photocopier costs € 3000 on average. It can be sold as a used copieur at 1/10th to 1/3 rd of its original value. It really depends on its age. There are a few costs to take into account, such as transport costs, forwarding agent, customs duties. You may buy used copiers in quantity, by container or full truck. In this case, you may be able to optimize these additional costs. Financially speaking, you may apply a margin of 20% up to 50%, depending on the market demand of the model. In other words, your selling price remains always very competitive compared to a new copier. Above all, you can offer additional maintenance and repair services, which will supplement your income.
