Depending on your industry, investing in your own supply of audio visual equipment may prove to be a worthwhile expense. If you have the ability to properly store and service the equipment, along with the qualified personal to put it to use, buying is probably your best option. Conversely, if you can’t honestly say your business is equipped with the space or the man power; rentals are a good option that will end up saving you money in the long run. Which one should you choose?
Time
If there aren’t already a few A/V techs on the payroll, can you spare the loss of manpower long enough to get your staff trained and up to speed on the vast options available on today’s market? Do-it-yourself may work well when growing a garden but dealing with electricity can be very dangerous. Persons who aren’t properly licensed (and insured) can live to regret their decisions at the first, literal, spark of trouble. Renting puts those hours back in your day and to better use and growing your business.
How Much Use Will It Get?
Are you looking to put on a one time event? Do you need the equipment for a week-long seminar? Are you planning on putting on shows every day for the next month? The amount of time the equipment is a big deciding factor when considering purchasing your own.
Club owners and event promoters may find that buying audio visual supplies is necessary for the success of their businesses while the Doggy Day Spa putting on a free wash event to celebrate their anniversary may only find their investment collecting dust in a closet.
Consider your turnout. What happens when your audience triples over night? Are your speakers equipped with enough amp to be heard all over your event? Will the roar of impatient patrons easily drown-out your musicians? A/V rental companies have technology of all capacities already in stock. And they know how to use them.
Add it Up
Is renting versus buying an economical option in the long run? When purchasing equipment, storage, maintenance, accessories, and insurance are all necessities for keeping your technology on hand. All of which are sensible expenses when you’ll be getting good use out of your inventory, use that will pay for itself by bringing business to you.
If your business is of an industry that frequently travels, you also need to consider the cost of crating, shipping, and drayage. What if your gear arrives damaged or it’s stolen in transit? If you aren’t readily prepared for a plan B, you might end up renting anyway. Old, outdated, and no longer functional equipment needs to be sold or properly disposed. With the high demand and rapid advances in technology, equipment often becomes obsolete. New options are introduced every 18-36 months. Without the knowledge of trends and the ability to readily meet them, you may tarnish your company’s image to the public by holding on to sub-par inventory.
All of these are usual business expenses for local A/V rental companies; one’s that you won’t have to pay for in your contract. If they seem reasonable to you, then buying might be the route to travel.
Testing..testing. Is this thing On?
How embarrassing is it to have an amp blow in the middle of a performance? How will your company look if the microphones fail in the middle of an orientation? How effective is a seminar with a faulty projection screen? These scenarios aren’t meant to dismay you; they are representations of everyday occurrences that embarrass business people and entertainers alike every day. Rental companies can often offer spares or replacements at little to no additional cost to you. If your industry is geared toward the necessity of owning your own equipment, these are all situations you need to take into account. You can never have enough extras. Cords, connects, wires, and speakers should be in an abundance to make sure the show goes on.
Choosing to buy versus rent boils down to necessity and ability to maintain. There are many organizations that absolutely require their own audio visual inventory and even more that don’t. The vast majority don’t realize the uselessness of their purchase until the money has gone down the drain. If it’s a good investment, then by all means, invest. If not, shop around, there are plenty of qualified professionals who can handle the leg work on your behalf.
Time
If there aren’t already a few A/V techs on the payroll, can you spare the loss of manpower long enough to get your staff trained and up to speed on the vast options available on today’s market? Do-it-yourself may work well when growing a garden but dealing with electricity can be very dangerous. Persons who aren’t properly licensed (and insured) can live to regret their decisions at the first, literal, spark of trouble. Renting puts those hours back in your day and to better use and growing your business.
How Much Use Will It Get?
Are you looking to put on a one time event? Do you need the equipment for a week-long seminar? Are you planning on putting on shows every day for the next month? The amount of time the equipment is a big deciding factor when considering purchasing your own.
Club owners and event promoters may find that buying audio visual supplies is necessary for the success of their businesses while the Doggy Day Spa putting on a free wash event to celebrate their anniversary may only find their investment collecting dust in a closet.
Consider your turnout. What happens when your audience triples over night? Are your speakers equipped with enough amp to be heard all over your event? Will the roar of impatient patrons easily drown-out your musicians? A/V rental companies have technology of all capacities already in stock. And they know how to use them.
Add it Up
Is renting versus buying an economical option in the long run? When purchasing equipment, storage, maintenance, accessories, and insurance are all necessities for keeping your technology on hand. All of which are sensible expenses when you’ll be getting good use out of your inventory, use that will pay for itself by bringing business to you.
If your business is of an industry that frequently travels, you also need to consider the cost of crating, shipping, and drayage. What if your gear arrives damaged or it’s stolen in transit? If you aren’t readily prepared for a plan B, you might end up renting anyway. Old, outdated, and no longer functional equipment needs to be sold or properly disposed. With the high demand and rapid advances in technology, equipment often becomes obsolete. New options are introduced every 18-36 months. Without the knowledge of trends and the ability to readily meet them, you may tarnish your company’s image to the public by holding on to sub-par inventory.
All of these are usual business expenses for local A/V rental companies; one’s that you won’t have to pay for in your contract. If they seem reasonable to you, then buying might be the route to travel.
Testing..testing. Is this thing On?
How embarrassing is it to have an amp blow in the middle of a performance? How will your company look if the microphones fail in the middle of an orientation? How effective is a seminar with a faulty projection screen? These scenarios aren’t meant to dismay you; they are representations of everyday occurrences that embarrass business people and entertainers alike every day. Rental companies can often offer spares or replacements at little to no additional cost to you. If your industry is geared toward the necessity of owning your own equipment, these are all situations you need to take into account. You can never have enough extras. Cords, connects, wires, and speakers should be in an abundance to make sure the show goes on.
Choosing to buy versus rent boils down to necessity and ability to maintain. There are many organizations that absolutely require their own audio visual inventory and even more that don’t. The vast majority don’t realize the uselessness of their purchase until the money has gone down the drain. If it’s a good investment, then by all means, invest. If not, shop around, there are plenty of qualified professionals who can handle the leg work on your behalf.