A reconditioned photocopier is one that is not brand new, has been used, but is deemed to be still functioning well and relevant for today’s office use and therefore, been reintroduced into the market. But please do not be mistaken. It should not be categorised as a used machine. In fact, it is better than a used machine.
To introduce a machine as a reconditioned one, the supplier SHOULD have dismantled the machine, overhauled and changed the necessary parts before assembling everything back together again. It is like going through a major repair, only thing is it has not been in an accident.
These type of machine usually come with a 3 to 5-year warranty, which is exactly the same as a brand new unit. Barring any super-advanced technology developed by the manufacturer, a reconditioned photocopier will function exactly the same as a new model that has just introduced into the market. But why are there such machines? Because in Singapore, most companies lease their photocopier machine, rather than buy them. These resulted in almost brand new photocopier machines being changed out in offices about every 3 to 5 year. These machines are still functioning well, but due to their lease being completed, there is no way to retain them.
Just like a car whose COE is due and therefore has to be removed from the streets, even though it may still be running fine. The leasing companies will take back the machine, and so the office ends up getting a new one. The older machines will then be sold to dealers who will either export the machines or reconditioned them to be resold later.
That being said, should an office be interested in getting a reconditioned photocopier, always look for a supplier who has their own workshop. It would also be more prudent to have the word “reconditioned” stated into the quotation and billing. This is to protect the buyer as some supplier will try to push a “showroom set” as a “reconditioned set”, which by definition, is different. A showroom set may have been in the showroom for ages, and used for demonstration for a long period of time. Having a showroom set does not mean it has been reconditioned before being delivered to the customer.