Are the days of chipping Konica Minolta drums, etc coming to an end?

[Synthohol]

I'm with you allen. I don't want my customers changing the drum. Maybe the big companies can save money by letting the end users change consumables but not for my small business. I don't want my customers doing anything.

that must be the difference, we have over 100 techs covering 5 or 6 states and one account has over 1500 machines. no time to run around installing customer replaceable units, they are CRUs after all. the second you need a screwdriver for replacing a consumable we will be there with bells on but not for WTB or drums.
i can dig the close relationship by changing their drums for them if your territory is small and you dont have to drive 100+ miles to do a 90 second service call.
in my 18 years doing this i have worked for mom & pop dealers and MFGs. i finally found a company that has the best of both situations and i guess the mindset is totally different.

[copyman]

Thanks for the tips NTS.


Good points Synthohol.

[allan]

that must be the difference, we have over 100 techs covering 5 or 6 states and one account has over 1500 machines. no time to run around installing customer replaceable units, they are CRUs after all. the second you need a screwdriver for replacing a consumable we will be there with bells on but not for WTB or drums.
i can dig the close relationship by changing their drums for them if your territory is small and you dont have to drive 100+ miles to do a 90 second service call.
in my 18 years doing this i have worked for mom & pop dealers and MFGs. i finally found a company that has the best of both situations and i guess the mindset is totally different.

Yes you are right about the mind set when it comes to the size of the operation.
We are a small team with loads of machines.
Doing these little things makes sure you stay really busy.

Labour here is regretfully cheap.
The savings will pay for another minion when needed.

To convert C360 dev tanks makes me want to cry. But the savings there are still like M3800 Plus.

M14 = to about 1USD

[DadO]

Did I get this right. Basicly "someone" buy 3 OEM black dv and stick them where color united goes? And it works?

[allan]

Don't tell anyone.
Not that straight forward but yes.

[copyman]

I hear you allen. I do whatever to make that extra profit.

Never knew about the C360 dev units just the drums.

Few examples of what I have done to make extra profit, as soon as there was a C253 fuser roller available I "attempted" to rebuild the unit (for those who don't know fuser was sold as complete unit, no parts avail). After many hours over a course of a month I finally was able to do it. Now I can do one in about an hour. $30 roller vs $500 fuser unit !!!

Also rebuilt the IU's for the C253, new drum, blade, developer, chip. $75 vs $400 (color IU's)