Welcome to episode 9 of our video series ‘exposing the hoodwinking’

Each week we bring to your attention a clause (usually hidden deep) within service agreement terms for office equipment like printers, photocopiers & telephones. Which could cause you many extra charges in the future.

Today were going to discuss charging rates for ‘office moves’…

Somewhere in your agreement could be a clause that says something like. ‘Moving the equipment to a different location is not covered by this agreement, and any work you ask us to carry out will be charged at £150 per hour per person.’

So, what does this clause mean?

If you need to move the equipment to a different location in your existing premise & require the help of your supplier. They will charge you (in our opinion) an excessive rate of £150 an hour per person.

But. If your moving to a new premises & it’s a photocopier which needs moving. It’s going to cost you £300 an hour for the physical move (as it takes 2 people) to transport it safely. And then a further £150 an hour for 1 person to re-install it onto your network & systems at the new premise.

To put this into context. If it takes 2 people 2 hours to transport the photocopier to your new premise. And then 1 person a further 2 hours to re-install it. It’s going to cost a whopping £900.

Don’t get me wrong. This work should be chargeable. But not at these hefty rates.

As you know from the last episode. We charge a fair & reasonable £40 an hour. And based on the same scenario above. Our charge would be £240. Which is a massive 73% cheaper.

Be warned though. Some unscrupulous suppliers charge even more than £150 an hour per person.

And. If you’re not happy & decide not to pay. The supplier can terminate the agreement for breach of terms. And request immediate payment in full for the remaining period. Which can be £1,000’s.

As always. Our advice is to thoroughly check your service agreement terms before you sign. And if you spot a clause that charges an excessive amount for ‘office moves’ ask the supplier to reduce it.

If they won’t. Don’t sign it…

Instead. Find a trusted supplier who provide simple honest service & charge a fair price for ‘office moves’. And don’t hide behind complex 1-sided terms.

You can watch the full hoodwinking series at mytotalofficesolutions.co.uk/hoodwinking-exposed