(1) We are fundamentally different from
your friendly local copier dealer salespeople. Our copier consultants do not receive commissions
based on which machine(s) you buy and we are not employed by any dealer or
manufacturer. The results of our studies are unaffected by which machines we
have to sell (since we don't sell any!). Also, local salespeople cannot know
the ins and outs of transactions that have occurred in other markets,
whereas we do!
(2) Secondly, the business consumer has a
right to know about a symbiotic (but unpublicized) business relationship that
exists between manufacturers and a handful of purportedly
"independent" trade consultants,
all with consumer-friendly sounding names.
These copier consultants are given millions of dollars worth
of FREE equipment to test every year. In lieu of charging the manufacturers testing
fees, the
published test reports are sold
back for hefty sums to manufacturers and their dealers, who use the reports as
marketing tools, giving them to buyers, ostensibly for the benefit of the
equipment buyers.
Consumers should be aware, however, that the vast majority of revenue generated by these
so-called "testing facilities" actually comes from the industry and NOT from buyers like you.
Did you know that selling a product award to a copier vendor can generate
$50,000 in pure profit for any company willing to take the money? Could Pro
Buyers do the same thing? Yes, BUT we believe
strongly that to generate 99% of your revenue from industry money and then
pretend to be a consumer advocate is patently a disservice to the business
consumer.
