Cost per page is the honest comparison
Add lease payment, supply cost, service plan and expected downtime, then divide by realistic monthly volume. A cheap payment with expensive toner often loses to a higher payment with included supplies.
Where leases make sense
Predictable budgeting, fleets that must be refreshed on a schedule, and offices that need finishing equipment they could not justify buying outright.
Where buying wins
Stable low-to-medium volume, a machine model with cheap parts availability, and an office willing to fund its own maintenance plan.
Read the end-of-term clauses
Automatic renewals, return freight, and end-of-lease condition requirements are where most surprises hide. Ask for those terms in writing before signing.
Need a hand with this?
If a symptom in this guide matches what you are seeing, call (214) 299-6245. Phone triage is free, and plenty of calls end without a service visit. If a visit is needed, see copier repair or preventive maintenance.