| Prices of computer hardware continues to drop in | | | | dealers. If not, they can obtain a replacement printer |
| price and increase in features and functions. This is to | | | | from one of their vendors in a day or two. However, |
| the advantage of the consumer. However, many | | | | be prepared to pay full price with a dealer margin in |
| consumers do not take full advantage of this situation. | | | | excess of 40%. This could easily drive the |
| Point of sale equipment that is computer based follows | | | | replacement cost of a POS printer to the $500 mark. |
| this pattern of drops in price and increase in features. | | | | At least with a new replacement printer you will start |
| An entire industry flourishes behind a cloak of mystery | | | | the clock on a new warranty period. The problem with |
| regarding point of sale hardware, software and | | | | this is how much of this new warranty is passed to |
| systems. In large part, business owners continue to | | | | you by the dealer. I am sorry to say that a great many |
| pour money into the pockets of dealers who continue | | | | dealers will pass 1 year of the 3 years of warranty |
| to overcharge for repair and replacement parts, | | | | offered by the manufacturer. |
| including printers. | | | | POS Printer Replacement - What you get if you do it |
| POS Printer Repair - What you get | | | | Let's take a look at what you get if you source the |
| Let's take a look at what most people do with a | | | | replacement printer via the Internet. You may be |
| broken printer. They will attempt to repair the printer | | | | shocked at how easy it is and how much you get for |
| through their local dealer. | | | | less money. |
| A call is placed to the dealer who will ask questions of | | | | First, you get the same printer that you get from the |
| the business owner to determine if the printer is truly | | | | dealer. You may even get the printer from the same |
| broken or if the problem could be a software, cable or | | | | warehouse that the dealer buys from. |
| power issue. Yes, there are truly repair calls that are | | | | Next, you pay far less because you are eliminating the |
| solved by properly plugging the printer power supply | | | | dealer margin. In some cases this is in excess of 40%. |
| into the electrical outlet. | | | | Finally, you get the full manufacturer warranty. In the |
| If the printer is determined to be broken a technician | | | | case of POS printers this is usually 3 years or more. |
| will come to pick it up. If there is a prior agreement with | | | | What this means is that you will contact the printer |
| the dealer a temporary loaner printer may be | | | | manufacturer who will then direct you to the nearest |
| substituted while the repairs are done. | | | | warranty repair center who will repair the printer and |
| Many dealers have now gone to a flat-fee for printer | | | | bill the manufacturer. |
| repairs. They will charge this fee plus parts to repair | | | | Want to know the really funny part of this? In a great |
| the printer. Parts are charged at full list price and will | | | | many cases you will find that the dealer you were |
| range as high as $125 - $150. Charges higher than that | | | | doing business with is the printer warranty repair |
| are generally not charged as they exceed the cost of | | | | center. Remember how they only passed a year of |
| a new printer. | | | | the 3 year manufacturer warranty? That means that |
| In total, the charge to repair a POS printer should never | | | | they charge their customers to repair the printer and |
| exceed $300 as you could get a new printer for that | | | | still get the warranty paid for by the printer |
| amount. However, a repaired printer will not carry | | | | manufacturer. |
| forward the full warranty like a new printer will. You will | | | | DIY is easier than you think |
| probably only have a 30 - 90 day warranty on the | | | | It no longer takes certification, special training or a |
| repairs. That means if this same printer goes down | | | | college degree to change out a POS printer. A 12-year |
| again in 91 days you are going to have to do this all | | | | old can do it without a screw driver. Then why can't |
| over again. | | | | you? Only because you have not tried. |
| POS Printer Replacement - What you get if a dealer | | | | The next time you pass by your point of sale system |
| does it | | | | take a look at the printer. Look at the cables in the |
| Replacing a POS printer is much simpler and quicker | | | | back. There are probably a maximum of 3 cables that |
| than repairing. This is largely due to the fact that most | | | | plug into the same connectors on the replacement |
| dealers do not repair the printer themselves. They | | | | printer. Each cable has a different connector and will |
| actually send the printer to a repair depot to be | | | | only fit the identical plug on the replacement printer. No |
| serviced remotely and then returned. This repair | | | | tools required and no training is necessary. |
| process can take weeks and in the worst cases a | | | | You wouldn't call an electrician to replace a light bulb in |
| month or more. | | | | a lamp and you should not call a technician to replace |
| Replacement printers are often kept in stock by local | | | | a POS printer. |