The 50% Rule

If a repair costs more than half the price of an equivalent new device, fixing it isn't worthwhile. This is especially true for the fuser or main drive: other components usually follow quickly after those fail.

Age and Mileage

Compare the counter with the rated yield. A device that has run through 80% of its yield will break down more and more often, and every repair also means downtime.

Factor In Downtime

Multiply the downtime hours by the hourly cost of the people waiting to print. It often turns out that a week of waiting for a spare part costs more than a new device.

Parts Availability

If the model has been discontinued and components have to be sourced on special order, that's a verdict regardless of the device's current condition.

When Repairing Is Worth It

  • The repair costs less than 30% of the replacement cost.
  • The device has used up less than half its yield.
  • Consumables for it are cheap and readily available.
  • Your service provider knows the model well.