We’ve got a REAL BIG PROBLEM in our industry & we really need you to share this article to stop organisations like yours from being victims…

We’ve recently wrote a couple of articles (read them here & here) about small organisations being victims of rogue traders through terms & conditions not being clearly explained. And in one case a second set of terms & conditions being hidden & apparently only available on request.

Our issue is that organisations like yours become victims. As you only find out about these contractual deceptions once it’s too late to do anything about them.

The fact is. Unscrupulous suppliers with no morals tie their customers (victims) into contracts for up to 5 years (or more). Making it their mission to suck as much money out of you & knowing full well they will loose you eventually. This type of supplier (once they have you signed up) are not interested in long-term 2-way relationships. They are only interested in how long they can keep you tied in (through deceptive T&C’s) & how much money they can gleam from you in price rises and termination charges over the term of the contract.

We’re at boiling point with this & need you to help spread the word. Because again yesterday another horrible situation raised it’s head…

A good friend of ours asked us to to have a chat with 1 of his business connections who needed some help & advice about his printing technology solution. Help & advice is something we will provide free to anyone. No matter what the situation may be.

Paul (our technical manager) spoke with the organisation at length. And an all to familiar scenario was uncovered.

The organisation concerned had signed up to a new photocopier 3 years ago. They had 2 contracts (which is normal) with 2 different suppliers. 1 for the financial lease (to pay for the hardware) & the other for service (cartridges & repairs etc).

As the original 3 year contract has just ended. They assumed they were free to do what they wanted. Including talking to other other suppliers about different printing solutions. But no. There is a huge sting in the tail for them.

First the good news. The financial lease contract has ended. The bad news is the service supplier will still not let them leave. Why? That’s a good question…

Unknowing to the customer (not high-lighted), the supplier has a clause in their terms & conditions which goes something like this. ‘You have 90 days (prior to the termination date) to confirm in writing you wish to cancel the service contract at the end of the original contract date. If the contract is not cancelled during this time period it will automatically re-new for a further 24 months’.

Yes that’s right. Bad isn’t it? At no time did the supplier approach the organisation to ask them if they have been happy with the service & would they like to re-new for a further 2 years. The supplier knows most organisations don’t have the resources to keep a constant check on contract end dates & clauses within T&C’s. These types of unscrupulous suppliers have this all worked out & know the majority of organisations will simply forget. Giving them a further 2 years of guaranteed cash.

Obviously the customer is fuming & is trying to negotiate with the supplier to be released without penalty. But in our experience this very rarely happens. There is usually only 1 way these types of suppliers will release you early & that’s to pay an early termination charge. Which is usually the full remaining amount left on the contract, including any renewal extension. And this could run into the £1,000’s.

Our advise is don’t become 1 of their victims and read the full terms & conditions before you sign. If you are not happy with part of them (before you sign) ask your preferred supplier to change them. And if they refuse without just cause our advice is to stay well clear. Because they could well be an unscrupulous supplier with no morals too.

If you have already signed & want to leave your supplier. But you are in a photocopier service contract that has large financial penalties (unless you are willing to pay them or there is a serious breach of contract) our advice is to grin and bear it.

But the next time, make sure you choose a supplier who’s honest, you can trust, allows you to leave without penalty for poor service and will guarantee your agreement price for the full term.