New to Copy Machine Repair and could use some feedback.

[Guest]

Hello,

My name is Travis, I work for the Liberty Lake Municipal Library in Liberty Lake WA. I do IT for the library as well as computer repair. After seeing how much money my library spends every month to simply have a Copier Repair Company at the ready, I convinced the director to end the contract and allow me to do the servicing. I have two questions: 1. Have a made a horrible mistake going down this path? 2. Can anybody suggest an online training course in Copier Repair?

The Copier we have, is a Panasonic DP-C213. I am not too concerned with the actual repair aspect of working on this printer, rather the troubleshooting and preventative maintenance part. I would like to get some training in Panasonic Copier servicing, but have had no luck getting started.

If any of you could point me in the right direction or even give me an idea of the hell I have gotten myself into, I would greatly appreciate it.

Thank you for your time.

Travis

[Aneurysm]

Welcome to the site.

[Tonerbomb]

Re: New to Copy Machine Repair and could use some feedback.

Run, you have entered a trade that few ever escape, or at least buy a manual from Paul@justmanuals.com

[livewire]

Re: New to Copy Machine Repair and could use some feedback.

Hi Travis, Welcome to CTN!

Good luck in the new beginning.

[DWise]

Re: New to Copy Machine Repair and could use some feedback.

Welcome to CTN!!

[blackcat4866]

Re: New to Copy Machine Repair and could use some feedback.

You've set yourself up for some real challenges. The preventative maintenance aspects of this job are not the difficult part. Anybody can buy a manual, open it, and read what to do.

Diagnostics is totally a different story. The skill of diagnosing problems is built on experience, and it sounds like you are starting with none. In addition, as a dealer I am exposed primarily two three brands of equipment, or perhaps 100 specific models. You may find that it can be a relatively painful experience building the required level of experience, especially without backup. It was at least 3 years before I had the requisite experience, and confidence to take calls on completely unknown equipment, with any expectation of fixing it.

Each manufacturer signs up dealers to sell their equipment, and sets up training to train the technicians. Since you are not a dealer and not selling machines, the manufacturer has no incentive to train you at any price.

I'm sure there are plenty of independents that can offer you more specific advice. All I can say is that this isn't going to be easy for you. =^..^=

[libertylakelibrary]

Re: New to Copy Machine Repair and could use some feedback.

You've set yourself up for some real challenges. The preventative maintenance aspects of this job are not the difficult part. Anybody can buy a manual, open it, and read what to do.

Diagnostics is totally a different story. The skill of diagnosing problems is built on experience, and it sounds like you are starting with none. In addition, as a dealer I am exposed primarily two three brands of equipment, or perhaps 100 specific models. You may find that it can be a relatively painful experience building the required level of experience, especially without backup. It was at least 3 years before I had the requisite experience, and confidence to take calls on completely unknown equipment, with any expectation of fixing it.

Each manufacturer signs up dealers to sell their equipment, and sets up training to train the technicians. Since you are not a dealer and not selling machines, the manufacturer has no incentive to train you at any price.

I'm sure there are plenty of independents that can offer you more specific advice. All I can say is that this isn't going to be easy for you. =^..^=

I had a feeling that was the case, but the gouging we were getting from the company we purchased the copier from was just too much. Every month we paid them about $120 to just be able to call them when we needed them. On top of that, we had to pay 1 cent for every black print and a whopping 9 cents for every color print. Also, if we needed service we paid both the labor and the parts at their mark up. I am all for making money, but I felt like we were being taken advantage. Charging us for service and parts I have zero problem with, but to charge of for every print when we own the printer, the toner, and the paper is just too hard of a pill to swallow. So I will likely regret my decision, but I still think it was best for my Library. Thanks for the heads up, I do appreciate the honesty.

Travis

[blackcat4866]

Re: New to Copy Machine Repair and could use some feedback.

I had a feeling that was the case, but the gouging we were getting from the company we purchased the copier from was just too much. Every month we paid them about $120 to just be able to call them when we needed them. On top of that, we had to pay 1 cent for every black print and a whopping 9 cents for every color print. Also, if we needed service we paid both the labor and the parts at their mark up. I am all for making money, but I felt like we were being taken advantage. Charging us for service and parts I have zero problem with, but to charge of for every print when we own the printer, the toner, and the paper is just too hard of a pill to swallow. So I will likely regret my decision, but I still think it was best for my Library. Thanks for the heads up, I do appreciate the honesty.

Travis

Well, that lease payment isn't going anywhere. 1 cent for black and 9 cents for color is just right for a specific volume. Service contracts are like an insurance policy. Sometimes there are few claims, sometimes there are many claims. When a contract is priced right, you can cover the costs of both the low maintenance and the high maintenance customers ... and maybe make a profit too.

I only takes one high maintenance customer to suck the profit out of dozens of low maintenance contracts. And you don't know which are which until you're locked in for at least a year, maybe longer. You probably noticed that your copier tech wasn't driving a Lexus or wearing a three piece suit. And he doesn't live in a McMansion. And the dealership isn't paved with gold bricks. A lot of thought goes into contract pricing ... but you'll find out soon enough. Happy learning. =^..^=

[skookumchuck]

Re: New to Copy Machine Repair and could use some feedback.

I would recomend that you get a new company to work on your existing machine or a new machine from a different company after getting information about their service pricing policies. Copiers aren't rocket science--yet. Then, what happens when the powers that be decide to replace the copier from a different manufacture. Then you have to start almost, but not quite, from the beginning. There is at least one place I saw on the net a while back that has copier repair training & certification that is not model specific. Sorry, can't remember who it is.

[libertylakelibrary]

Re: New to Copy Machine Repair and could use some feedback.

I would recomend that you get a new company to work on your existing machine or a new machine from a different company after getting information about their service pricing policies. Copiers aren't rocket science--yet. Then, what happens when the powers that be decide to replace the copier from a different manufacture. Then you have to start almost, but not quite, from the beginning. There is at least one place I saw on the net a while back that has copier repair training & certification that is not model specific. Sorry, can't remember who it is.

If you think of the place that does the training, I would greatly appreciate it. If I could become proficient in copier repair, the training cost would be worth it in future savings.

[libertylakelibrary]

Re: New to Copy Machine Repair and could use some feedback.

Well, that lease payment isn't going anywhere. 1 cent for black and 9 cents for color is just right for a specific volume. Service contracts are like an insurance policy. Sometimes there are few claims, sometimes there are many claims. When a contract is priced right, you can cover the costs of both the low maintenance and the high maintenance customers ... and maybe make a profit too.

I only takes one high maintenance customer to suck the profit out of dozens of low maintenance contracts. And you don't know which are which until you're locked in for at least a year, maybe longer. You probably noticed that your copier tech wasn't driving a Lexus or wearing a three piece suit. And he doesn't live in a McMansion. And the dealership isn't paved with gold bricks. A lot of thought goes into contract pricing ... but you'll find out soon enough. Happy learning. =^..^=

I am aware that dealers are in the market to make money, but through my experience with this particular company I feel that we were paying just too much. And my post had nothing to do with the technician, rather the company. I am very aware that the techs are not over paid for what they do, and I understand that the business is not selling $10,000 printers every day. But for my particular library, it is not fiscally sound. I am rapidly learning just how much knowledge a technician needs to do this job. But again, thanks for your input as this is all a learning opportunity for me.

[slimslob]

Re: New to Copy Machine Repair and could use some feedback.

I had a feeling that was the case, but the gouging we were getting from the company we purchased the copier from was just too much. Every month we paid them about $120 to just be able to call them when we needed them. On top of that, we had to pay 1 cent for every black print and a whopping 9 cents for every color print. Also, if we needed service we paid both the labor and the parts at their mark up. I am all for making money, but I felt like we were being taken advantage. Charging us for service and parts I have zero problem with, but to charge of for every print when we own the printer, the toner, and the paper is just too hard of a pill to swallow. So I will likely regret my decision, but I still think it was best for my Library. Thanks for the heads up, I do appreciate the honesty.

Travis

Glad to have you join us.

I am not sure what you are paying for. As blackcat said, the $120 month might be a lease, but leases are usually paid to a leasing company. The per copy amount are within reason if you are on a maintenance contract, but maintenance contracts usually include toner, parts and labor. The only extras that our copier customers have to pay for are paper, staples and other binding devices. It almost sounds to me like they have you on a rental contract.

There are some manufacturers who actually will set up self servicing end users and provide them training

[Iowatech]

Re: New to Copy Machine Repair and could use some feedback.

Welcome!
Just for grins you might try searching for information here -

http://www.copytechnet.com/forums/panasonic/

Maybe the experience that is already there can help you. It is free after all, you just need to look at it.

[drwevil]

Re: New to Copy Machine Repair and could use some feedback.

Hi Travis
Welcome to the industry ....
It has supplied me with an income, amusement and grey hairs for the last 28-29 years or so..
Shame about the income part wasn't higher.....

You will soon learn in the scheme of things you have Lawyers, politicians, used car salesmen, real estate sales men, your mother in-law and then Copier Sales men..... ;-)

The last Panasonic I worked on was a rebadged Lanier analogue 6517 (I think it was a long time ago) It was a festering pile of feted dingo kidneys. Panasonic should have stuck to microwaves.

My first service manager use to say "The customer has money and they want to spend it...they just don't know it yet".... to say he charged like a wounded bull was an understatement. So maybe you are dealing one of those type companies.

There might be someone willing to take over the contract, if you have one, but sometimes if the copier is in a "Managed Print" type scenario it could cost mega $$$$ to get out of your current one. I would be surprised if a copier like that wasn't under a service contract.

also very careful about servicing it yourself. If it is under a service contract and you stuff something it will cost you BIG time.


Here is some sage advice from Monty Python

[NeoMatrix]

Re: New to Copy Machine Repair and could use some feedback.

Hi Travis
I empathise with your implored enthusiasm to learn about your Library Copier.
It would be easier to put a coin operated or card reader user pays photocopier in the Library,
and have the user pay for the service contract in the suggested manner. Office staff can still use
the coin/card copier as in normal day-to-day operations.
The savings in copy quality and happy customers would out weigh all the frustrated learning curb
and possible broken parts you risk exposing yourself too.

Self service of your Copier:
Foremost your first experience would be :"why isn't this copier working,what have you done to it?"
And the office thunder clouds would gather from then on...
In affect the Library staff would have someone to blame everytime the copier hiccups...