The dealer showed you a top-of-the-line copier during the demo. The lease documents referenced a specific model number. But the machine that showed up at your office is a lower-spec model with fewer features, slower print speeds, or an older generation. You have been baited and switched.
Bait and switch tactics in copier leasing are more common than the industry wants to admit. Here is how to identify what happened, what your legal options are, and how to force a resolution.
Common Bait and Switch Tactics in Copier Leasing
The classic bait and switch involves demonstrating one model and delivering another. But there are subtler variations. The “configuration switch” delivers the correct model but with fewer paper trays, less memory, or missing finishing options that were included in the demo. The “speed switch” delivers a model number that looks similar but has lower print speeds (e.g., 45 pages per minute instead of the 55 ppm model you were shown).
The “refurbished switch” delivers a used or refurbished machine instead of the new unit that was quoted. The “accessory switch” delivers the base machine but bills separately for accessories (staple finisher, fax kit, additional trays) that were presented as included in the monthly payment.
Check Your Documents Immediately
When the copier arrives, compare the delivered machine against three documents: the original sales quote or proposal from the dealer, the lease agreement (which should list the exact model, serial number, and configuration), and any marketing materials or emails that describe the equipment you were purchasing.
Record the model number and serial number from the machine’s identification plate. Compare these to what is listed in your lease agreement. If they do not match, you have clear evidence of a discrepancy.
Your Legal Rights
A bait and switch is a deceptive business practice that violates consumer protection laws in all 50 states. Even in a business-to-business transaction, you are protected by the UCC (Uniform Commercial Code), which requires that delivered goods conform to the contract description, state unfair and deceptive business practices laws, and the FTC Act, which prohibits deceptive advertising and sales practices.
If the delivered equipment does not match what was specified in your lease agreement, you have the right to reject the delivery. Notify the dealer and leasing company in writing within 48 hours of delivery that the equipment does not conform to the contract and you are rejecting it. Once rejected, you have no obligation to make lease payments on equipment you did not agree to lease.
What to Do If You Already Signed and Accepted
If you accepted the delivery before realizing the switch (which is common, since many businesses do not inspect the equipment closely on delivery day), you can still revoke acceptance under the UCC if the non-conformity substantially impairs the value of the equipment. A machine with lower print speeds, fewer features, or older technology than what was agreed upon meets this threshold.
Send a written notice of revocation to the dealer and leasing company within a reasonable time after discovering the discrepancy. “Reasonable time” is not precisely defined but generally means within 30 days of when you discovered (or should have discovered) the switch.
File a Formal Complaint
Beyond your contractual remedies, file complaints with your state’s Attorney General consumer protection division, the Better Business Bureau, and the copier manufacturer’s dealer compliance department. These complaints create formal records that support your case and put pressure on the dealer to resolve the issue.
What Most Guides Miss: The Lease Document May Protect the Dealer
Here is the uncomfortable truth: some bait and switch operations are designed to survive legal scrutiny. The dealer shows you a premium model during the demo, but the lease document lists the lesser model that gets delivered. If you signed the lease without checking the model number against what was demonstrated, the dealer can argue that the contract reflects the actual agreement.
This is why you must read every line of the lease agreement before signing, especially the equipment description section. Compare the model number, configuration details, and accessory list in the lease to what was demonstrated and quoted. If they do not match, do not sign until the lease is corrected. After signing, your options are more limited and more expensive. For more on protecting yourself in copier deals, see our fine print guide, and learn how to compare honest dealer quotes at our hidden fees guide.
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