Can You Lease a Used or Refurbished Copier? Lease-to-Own Explained

Most people assume leasing is only for brand-new copiers. It's not. You can absolutely lease or finance a used or refurbished machine — and for a lot of businesses, lease-to-own on a low-meter copier is the sweet spot between a big cash outlay and an expensive new lease. Here's how it works.

Can you really lease a used copier?

Yes. While the big manufacturer lease programs push new equipment, independent dealers and liquidators often offer financing and lease-to-own on their used inventory. You get a low-meter machine now, spread the cost over time, and — with lease-to-own — own it outright at the end. We offer flexible lease-to-own on our own machines.

How lease-to-own differs from a traditional lease

The distinction matters:

• Traditional (new) lease — you rent the equipment for a term, then return it, renew, or pay a buyout. You often end up owning nothing.
• Lease-to-own on a used machine — your payments go toward ownership; at the end, the copier is yours. It's closer to financing a purchase than renting.

Because the machine costs far less to begin with (a low-meter unit runs 40–70% below new), the payments are smaller and the term is often shorter than a new lease.

When leasing a used copier makes sense

• You want to preserve cash but still own the asset.
• You're a newer business spreading out startup costs.
• You'd rather a predictable monthly payment than a lump sum.
• You want the tax flexibility financing can offer (ask your accountant about Section 179).

What to watch for

Financing a used machine is simpler than a big new lease, but still read the terms:

• Total cost — add up all payments and compare to paying cash.
• Ownership at the end — confirm it's lease-to-own, not a rental with a buyout.
• No hidden fees — the escalations and penalties common in new leases (see lease hidden fees) are far less of an issue on a straightforward used-machine finance, but always check.

Lease vs. buy outright

If you have the cash, buying a used copier outright is the cheapest path — no financing cost at all. But lease-to-own lets you get the same low-meter machine working for you now while spreading the cost, and you still own it in the end. For many small businesses, that trade is well worth it. (Our full rent vs. lease vs. buy breakdown compares all three.)

The bottom line

You don't have to pay cash — and you don't have to sign a five-year new-equipment lease. Lease-to-own on a low-meter used copier gets you a dependable machine now, smaller payments than a new lease, and ownership at the end. Want to see what a payment would look like for your budget? Call 714-696-6082 or browse our used Ricoh copiers.