What Happens When Your Copier Lease Ends?
If your Georgia business leases a copier (or printer), you'll eventually face the end-of-lease decision. Most businesses handle this poorly — either auto-renewing at unfavorable terms, returning equipment they could have bought cheaply, or missing the window to upgrade.
Here are your four options and how to evaluate each.
Option 1: Return the Equipment
The straightforward path: you return the copier to the leasing company and walk away. This makes sense if:
- The machine no longer meets your needs
- You're switching providers
- You're reducing your print infrastructure
Watch out for: Return conditions in your lease. Many leases require the machine to be returned in good condition, with all accessories, in original packaging. Failure to meet these conditions can result in end-of-lease charges of $200–$1,000+.
Option 2: Buy the Equipment
Many leases include a Fair Market Value (FMV) buyout — you can purchase the machine at its current market value. Others offer a $1 buyout, where you own the machine for $1 at lease end.
FMV purchases make sense if:
- The machine is running perfectly and meets your needs
- The FMV price is genuinely a good deal relative to the machine's remaining useful life
- You want to eliminate monthly payments on a stable, paid-off machine
Option 3: Upgrade to New Equipment
This is what most Georgia businesses should do at lease end — especially if the current machine is 4–5 years old. New equipment means:
- Current technology (faster speeds, better security, cloud integration)
- New warranty and manufacturer support
- Fresh toner yields and drum life
- Often the same or lower monthly payment than your current lease
Pro-Tec Copier Services can typically structure a new lease that replaces your equipment with no gap in service and competitive terms.
Option 4: Extend Month-to-Month
If you're not ready to decide, many leasing companies will extend your lease on a month-to-month basis. Be careful: month-to-month rates are often 15–25% higher than your original monthly payment, and you're still obligated to return or buy the machine when you finally do end the lease.
Our Recommendation
Start planning 90 days before lease end. This gives you time to evaluate new equipment, get competitive quotes, and avoid any gap or auto-renewal trap. Most businesses we work with in Georgia discover they can upgrade to significantly better equipment for the same or lower monthly cost.
Contact Pro-Tec Copier Services to review your lease options — we'll give you an honest assessment with no pressure.
Related: Leasing vs. Buying a Copier | How to Choose the Right Copier for Your Business | Managed Print Services Guide
