Service contracts for digital presses.

[the inner circle]

We are currently investigating new digital presses. One constant item is the service contracts, or more specifically the "per click" charge. Are service contracts worth the "per click" charge, or have any of you experienced better results from having no contract. And can you ever avoid the "per click" charge? Thanks!
Mark

 

[easiprint]

Depends on your usage - ie are you pay for print?

Several years ago I was running 3 Ricoh machines with no service contract. Constantly had problems with machines being down as all the engineers prioritised contract customers, and charged a fortune when they did come out. Also, my quality suffered. As I was paying for the parts and toner, I would lighten images to save toner, and let drums go longer than they should because replacement was expensive. Customers noticed the quality was not always perfect and I lost work. I now run three Xerox machines, all on service contracts. Quality always top notch, and customers notice that too.

Simon