New to Copy Machine Repair and could use some feedback.

[libertylakelibrary]

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

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

I guess I could have been more forthcoming with my libraries situation. Our contract had long since expired, so we were on a month by month basis. We paid them around $120 a month to be on the ready for service. We then had to pay for the supplies and labor to service the copier, as well as 1 cent for black and 9 cents for color copies. We discontinued our agreement with the company for purely financial reasons. I had done some research before going down this path, and have a strong background in electronics repair. But the more I learn, it looks like I have opened myself up to many future headaches. I am however, greatly encouraged by all the responses in such a short time frame to my post. I hope to one day be able to assist people like myself that are just getting started. Thanks for the response.

[libertylakelibrary]

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.

That actually was the first thing I did on this site. I was helpful in finding things like counter reset directions, and gave me an idea of common issues with my model of printer. Thanks for the heads up.

[libertylakelibrary]

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

We were no longer under contract when we discontinued service. It appears that I might have bitten off more than I can chew. But if I can get us 2 or 3 more years with little more than normal upkeep parts or even one or 2 service calls for things out of my per view, then I will have saved my library potentially thousands of dollars that can be used towards a new machine. Or, I will have made a horrible decision that could cost me my job. I am really hoping for the former. Thanks for the replay.

[slimslob]

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

Being IT, you might be able to offer some suggestions to other techs on the Connectivity forum. There are a lot of copier techs who know little or nothing about IT and this is where they come for assistance.

[libertylakelibrary]

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...

Our Panasonic copier is for staff use only. We have a Brother scanner, copier, printer that we offer to the public (at around $800 is would be replaceable). We do however use it for everyday library business which can push through hundreds of pages at times. Also before we discontinued dealing with the company, we had them come out and do a full preventive maintenance and cleaning. This was about 2 or 3 months ago. The only issue we are having is that sometimes a page or two comes out with some minor wrinkling. It is after the fusing, because when you unwrinkle the page it is printed as usual. So I believe it to be a roller issue. So this weekend, I am going to go in and clean it out and use some rubber rejuvenater on the rollers. Thanks for your response.

[libertylakelibrary]

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

Being IT, you might be able to offer some suggestions to other techs on the Connectivity forum. There are a lot of copier techs who know little or nothing about IT and this is where they come for assistance.

That is a great idea. Then I won't feel guilty asking for help.

Thank you

[Debs1964]

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

Welcome, and good luck, I think you're going to need it

[Tonerbomb]

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

That is a great idea. Then I won't feel guilty asking for help.

Thank you

Travis you are welcome here!!! The consortium thrives on giving to it and getting something back from it. As long as your giving to it, it will reward you with help! Also know that even though Aneurysm is the keeper of CTN, the consortium will moderate itself also............