When should you consider purchasing or leasing audio visual equipment? There are certainly some helpful tips that can help you decide.
Home theaters are becoming much more affordable by the day and most of the audio visual equipment that you can buy off the shelf is meant to be used in your home. When you need to make large presentations in front of a crowd at a concert or at an auditorium, would you rather lease it or buy audio visual equipment?
Should You Lease Or Purchase Audio Visual Equipment?
This will depend on these four factors:
1. How Often Do you Perform Concerts Or Offer Presentations?
If it is several times a month or even a day, then it would sense to purchase the equipment. If you need the equipment less than once a month or your shows are irregular, the best thing would be to lease it. If you think that leasing is the right decision, you can negotiate with your lessor a daily or hourly rate.
2. Do You Have A Back-up Plan?
What happens when your projector malfunctions or you don’t have on site audio visual staff to support you when something goes wrong with your equipment? In such a case, it would be a good idea to lease audio visual equipment and urge your lessor to provide back-ups at no additional charge if the equipment malfunctions.
3. How Much Does It Cost To Own The Equipment?
A lot of things other than the price have to be considered when purchasing substantial pieces of software or hardware. For example, if one of your laptops accidentally falls and is destroyed, how much will it cost to replace it? If one of your projectors malfunctions, how much would it cost you to repair it? What about if there are advances in technology such as Tablet PC, 4G iPad or 3D projectors? Will you have enough money to upgrade? If this will put a strain on your cash flow, then you are better off leasing your audio visual equipment rather than purchasing it. This is because when you rent this equipment, your lessor will be the one to worry about long term maintenance, repair costs and upgrades.
4. How Are You Going To Transport Or Store The Equipment?
Wireless audio response systems, screens and projectors take up a lot of room in storage rooms. More importantly, they have to be stored in a secure place to prevent theft. If you work in a large company, whose responsibility will it be to set up, tear down, store and account for the equipment?
If you are traveling to another town to do a presentation how exactly will you ensure the equipment arrives intact and isn’t stolen on the road? These are all things you will likely lose sleep over when you purchase this equipment but when you lease it, you won’t have to worry.
Many audio visual equipment leasing companies deliver the equipment to where you are hosting your function. They pack their equipment safely and handle it with care.
How To Lease Audio Visual Equipment
You should consider:
1. If Your Event Will Be Indoors Or Outdoors
Many leasing companies have different equipment for both indoor and outdoor activities so you should keep this in mind when looking to lease.
2. Size Of the Venue
How big or how small is your venue? If you are going to have your function in a football field, you will require equipment that’s more powerful and louder but if it’s indoors, you’ll require something that’s a little toned down.
3. Will The Equipment Be Compatible With Existing Equipment?
You might be using other equipment in your venue that might not be compatible with the leased equipment. For example, if you have your own amplifiers, will they be compatible with what your lessor might bring?
Summary
The answer as to whether you should lease or purchase audio visual equipment depends on storage and transportation, how much it costs to own it, if you have any back up plans and how often you plan on using it. There are also a number of factors to consider if you think leasing is the answer. These include compatibility with your existing equipment, the size of your venue and where the event will take place.
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