How often do you have to use a printer when working for a client?

I currently don't own one. When I do need to print something (for personal a reason) I usually go the local library or my mothers up the road.

I ask because if it's not something that's used often then I'll wait to get one.

I know it will all depend on the services offered, I'm jist wondering in general.

I have been working as a VA for over 5 years and in that time I have used my printer only a few times. Usually if its something bulk I will let the client know that I will outsource it at a kinkos or something and then send them the bill for it. If its just a few pages I suck up the charges and print from home but like I mentioned I have rarely had to do that. Again, though I would think it would depend on the type of clients you are taking on.

Hi Stacie!

Nice to have you at the forum!

My printer broke in October and I miss it; however, I only printed for my personal use - not for clients. Currently, I'm sending documents to my husband (who also works from home) and he prints on his printer.

Terri

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Terri P. Williams
www.terripwilliams.com

I usually print out my contracts which I sign, scan and then email to the client so they have a copy. I guess you don't NEED a printer but it would still be to your benefit to have an inexpensive printer with a scan feature. You'll probably need to scan more than print so getting an all-in-one is prob your best option.

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Paulette R.
Romero Communications

Interesting to note how little people use printers these days. I do print my business receipts to help with my expense tracking. I also like to print some marketing pieces to fact check what they look like and do a careful pen/paper edit with a red pen. A bit old school, but it gives my eyes a break too. Yes I'd recommend a 3 in one print/scan/fax which can be purchased economically at big box stores or others on sale. Printers are much cheaper these days than they once were.

On another note, great to know VA's are cutting down paper use by being so electronically focused. ;-)

Good luck!

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Joanne Macdonald
Marketing, Communications & Event Management https://twitter.com/jmacd

I primarily use my printer for my own administrative needs, however for clients I do print contracts. So, it is handy to have, but you may manage without one (if you do purchase one, I too, recommend a combo unit: printer, fax, scanner).

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Clydene Rogers
Premier VA--Placerville, CA

Thanks for the input. I'll look ino getting an inexpensive all in one.

I ditto what the others are saying. I rarely use my printer. I email most my print jobs to OfficeMax.

An all in one is nice to have. I have a couple of printers (one is a really old b&w out of date all in one and then I have newer color all in one) and a separate scanner. I have the separate scanner because I do heavier scanning than the norm, and the amount of time this scanner saves me was well worth the investment.

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I agree with everybody else. Honestly, my printer ran out of ink in March 2012 and I haven't bought more for it since. Why spend $50+ on ink when I can pay for a month of Freshbooks, Elance and Basecamp with that money?

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How much scanning do you guys usually do?