·
Get a flexible payment structure to fit your
business needs. If your business has a slow season, ask for seasonal payment
plans.
·
Consider a leasing program that provides for
lease expiration at or near warranty expiration.
·
With an operating lease, if you think you’ll
keep the equipment after the lease term, ask for a cap on the purchase price,
such as “fair market value (FMV) not to exceed 20% of the equipment’s cost.”
·
Use your existing equipment to generate cash.
With a sale and leaseback, a leasing company buys your existing equipment and
leases it back to you. You get the cash that is locked up in your equipment
while still continuing to use it.
·
Refinancing your existing equipment with a
capital or finance lease can lower payments by as much as 50%.
·
Understand the fine print. Most leases contain
a termination value schedule, detailing the amount that will need to be paid to
terminate the lease.
·
Don’t be afraid to ask for references when
shopping for an equipment leasing company.