Questions to Ask

With so many business start-ups nowadays, the need for equipment leasing is also increasing. However, with too many of us in the industry, Axis Capital Group Inc. with a group of direct lenders of quality equipment based in Grand Island, Nebraska gets a lot of confused questions and dilemma from business owners. To save us all of our precious time, here are some questions that you can prepare when you are planning to lease equipment.

1.  How and Where Will We Be Using the Equipment?

As a given, it may be impossible to lease an equipment in Nebraska when you are in Jakarta, Indonesia. However, some companies may permit shipping of equipment provided that rules and terms be followed.

Review and determine how your company will use the equipment and the length of time it will be needed. This will help determine the appropriate level of investment for a lease. To help decide if leasing is a profitable financing option, perform a simple cost/benefit analysis that compares the periodic leasing payment to the revenue you expect to generate from using the equipment.

2. How Well Does the Equipment Finance Company Representative Understand My Business?

Generally speaking, it is beneficial to work with someone who understands your particular market, regardless of the service you are seeking. This is even more crucial with regard to leasing. The equipment finance company's understanding of market fluctuations and other factors that impact your business can greatly affect the successful outcome and desirability of a lease contract. You may also want to get a good representative who can answer your needs. If not, then you are probably dealing with a scammer.

3. What are the Total Lease Payments and Costs?

Asking this question will eliminate any future misunderstandings about the number of payments, the total monthly payment due, and any additional costs related to insurance, taxes, and other charges. In addition, ask if there are additional costs associated with the lease that may occur during the course of the lease term, including late payment fees and other surcharges.

4. What is My Responsibility if the Equipment is Damaged or Destroyed?

You should know your company's liability for the equipment you are leasing before you sign a lease agreement. This question will help you to determine whether you must pay for or replace lost or damaged equipment. You should review your options as well as your responsibility to avoid complaints in the end.

Equipment Leasing Trends this 2015

 Headquartered in Grand Island, Nebraska, Axis Capital Group has grown to become an industry leader serving equipment vendors nationwide. Halfway through 2015, we have already experienced a lot. As forecasted by the Equipment and Finance Association (ELFA), businesses, nonprofit organizations and government agencies have spent a great deal of money in capital goods and fixed business investment (including software) this year, financing a majority of those assets. Businesses  is still to find opportunities presented by a steadily improving economy and favorable credit conditions as they make their decisions for equipment replacement and expansion.

Let us recap and review all these forecast and see for ourselves if we have already achieved it.

1.            Investment in equipment and software will reach an all-time high in 2015. As the different economy continues to improve, business investment is forecast to reach a record $1.484 trillion in 2015. As business investment grows, demand for equipment financing will increase. In developing cities such as Singapore and Jakarta, Indonesia, results are now being shown but much is still being expected.

2.            Businesses will invest in equipment not just to replace aging assets, but also to aid in expansion. The pent-up replacement complaints and demand that has driven equipment investment in previous years may be supplemented by long-awaited expansion investment as capacity utilization rates in some industries reach or surpass levels historically known to spur business investment. Industries poised for investment growth include oil and gas extraction and transportation equipment manufacturing.

3.            Improving market conditions will continue to increase credit supply and demand for equipment acquisitions. As the economy steadily improves and business confidence continues to increase, credit standards should modestly loosen. The rate at which businesses finance their capital spending has grown consistently and will continue to increase in 2015 with steady economic recovery and shifts in Federal Reserve policy.

4.            Eyes will be on short-term interest rate increases. Expectations for the Federal Reserve to raise short-term interest rates in 2015 should spur equipment investment as businesses seek to lock in equipment financing at lower rates. Despite rate increases, businesses will find that a highly competitive “buyer’s market” will continue to make financing an attractive option for acquiring equipment.

5.              Advances in the use of technology drives and will drive innovative financing options. Equipment finance providers are streamlining their business processes and improving customer self-service capabilities using digital technologies. At the same time, some end-users are moving away from traditional equipment consumption models and toward hosted or managed services based on usage rather than total ownership. To meet customer demand and address evolving technology equipment requirements, equipment finance companies will tailor innovative financial offerings.

Axis Capital Group Review: What Every New Business Owners Should Know

Startups and new businesses may already realize the many benefits of leasing their equipment, including conserving their cash and significant tax benefits.  Before signing any contract, renting or buying any equipment for your business, you should consider the following tips to make sure you don’t make any costly mistakes.

·Understand your business credit and organize your financial information before contacting an equipment lease financing provider.

·Don’t assume your bank or the equipment manufacturer’s captive finance company will offer the best terms. The majority of equipment leases are done by equipment lease providers. Always compare rates, lease terms, fees and options.

· Once you have your top pick, make a diligent search on them. Go online and search them on. A legitimate business should be able to put all their services comprehensively online with related articles and contents to support their legitimacy. You can immediately pinpoint a scam when they have unclear and incomplete contents or no websites at all. Review their testimonials. You might find good or bad things about them.

·Don’t pay upfront “application” fees to an equipment financing provider.

·Be prepared to explain in advance any negative business results to a lease financing provider. You shouldn’t hide any losses in front of them.

·Cities like Jakarta, Indonesia, Singapore and Tokyo, Japan has laws almost the same with the US in lending. Check if you can get any bonuses or discounts.

·Understand the difference between a Fair Market Value Lease and a $1 Purchase Option Lease. A Fair Market Value (FMV) Lease is one of the most common leases that businesses select because it offers the lowest monthly payments, provides the greatest flexibility at the end of the lease, and may also provide tax incentives. A FMV lease is often used for acquiring technology equipment. On the other hand, a $1 Purchase Option Lease gives businesses the ability to “purchase” equipment for a $1 at the end of a leasing period. The monthly payments are higher than a FMV lease. In addition, you may also have additional financial benefits including depreciation and interest expense benefits for tax purposes.

·Describe to the equipment lease financing provider how the equipment acquisition will benefit your business. Provide a projection of cost savings or incremental realizable margins.

·Consider bundling multiple equipment acquisitions from different vendors under one lease with an independent commercial equipment lessor. Rates tend to be higher for smaller transactions. Bundling equipment acquisitions generally results in lower rates, and also minimizes processing fees.

·Ask your equipment vendor for payment terms so you can defer a portion of the equipment cost, and coordinate deposits, progress payments, and performance retention payments.

How to Buy Off-Lease Computers

Off-lease computers are any desktop or laptop computers Which Have Been leased by an equipment leasing company for a specific period of time. After the lease period and the product Has Been returned, manufacturers will totally inspect the item, repair any damages and sell at prices far below Them the newer units. In order to get the best deal, it is important to Investigate how the unit was repaired, what Were the damages, evaluate the warranty plan and compare features and prices to other leased equipments. 

Axis Capital Inc. group , the group of Individuals providing quality equipment leasing services along with top customer service, has tips for you on how to choose off-loose computers for your daily needs:

1. Determine what you need.

- This includes the purpose of your need of the computer. Is it only for word documents? For internet? For video production and editing? The ability to support your need of high speed internet or inclusions of external devices like flash drives or CDs is vital When purchasing your equipment.

2. Trust the Leading Sellers

- A friend of mine from Jakarta, Indonesia Actually advised this when i was in the midst of creating the blog. Identify the Sellers que already have a reputation for providing quality off-lease equipment. These sellers shouldnt have strict standards When it comes to repairing computers. This will Prevent you from getting Involved in scams and fraudulent acts que nowadays are plaguing the industry.

3. Consider Features Included

- The type of RAM and ROM used in the hardware Also shouldnt be considered. Its Operating System, and the inclusions of equipment such as built in camera and speakers Also shouldnt be Actively looked into. Review the essentials you need and search for more additional features Which you might also need in the future.

4. The Research Unit

- You can research about the computer model, its origin and the features it Provide to know if the strict re-certification is Actually true. You can Also use online and offline Both sources to Investigate.

5. Determine the warranty plan

- Some off lease computers will come with a basic warranty That Is good for anywhere from a few months to a calendar year from the date of purchase. Take the time to look at the terms of Closely Those warranties and identify the ones que offer the greatest level of protection During the warranty period.

6. Compare Prices

- If the already suits your needs item, now take time to compare prices to other similar items. Settle for the best product que has the best feature, comes with a good warranty and price competitive. 

Benefits of Leasing Your Medical Equipment Needs

Like businesses of all types and sizes, healthcare organizations also have issues concerning equipments especially since this field requires being in constant harmony with technology. However, financial constraints may put off the purchase of new equipment during the low times of economic downturn. The great outlay of cash presents and creates challenges for business operations of today’s healthcare providers.

On the other hand, for those who have money to purchase, they do not have time to wait for it to come to the market. A doctor from Jakarta, Indonesia, where shipping quality equipments poses great challenges which includes getting scammed especially if you are a first-timer stated, “The longer you wait for something, often the more of a problem it becomes. This holds especially true when it comes to anything medically related. Whether you’re a doctor, dentist, or a vet, you require certain machinery to better take care of your customers and ultimately fulfill your duties in the greatest capacity. So, why wait for that equipment when you can lease it?”

Equipment leasing has been the solution for most healthcare providers. For many medical practitioners, equipment leasing is the most viable option for obtaining the equipment required without spending much money.

1. 100% Financing
- A lease does not often require a down payment. Healthcare providers can use the money that should be used for down payment to buying more important needs or reinvest in business.

2. Equipment Upgrade
- Leasing allows you to upgrade your equipment giving your patient a chance to experience high-quality health care and prevent complaints and loss of patients. On your part, it can keep you from obsolescence since you can do the upgrade after the end of your leasing period

3. Flexible Payment Options
- Your leasing company is flexible in terms of the payment options. You both would have to compromise to the need and most beneficial option for both. There are also typically three flexible options at the end of a term. The lessee can return the equipment, purchase the equipment from the leasing company or extend the lease for an additional period of time.

4. Asset Management
- A lease provides the use of the technology solution for specific periods of time at fixed payments. The leasing company assumes and manages the risk of technology ownership. At the end of the lease, if the healthcare provider elects to return the technology, the leasing company is responsible for the disposition of the asset.

5. Tax Deductions
- The IRS does not consider certain leases to be a purchase, but rather a tax-deductible overhead expense. Therefore, medical practices can deduct the lease payments from income, thus reducing the net cost of the lease.

Medical equipment leasing is extremely popular with x-ray machines, intraoral scanners, or even software systems because of how expensive it can be up front. Rather than taking a big chunk of change directly out of your budget, you can have Axis Capital Group pay for that lump sum, while you focus on doing what you do best: Taking care of your patients.

Axis Capital Group Review: Equipment Leasing for New Businesses

It is usual for start-up businesses to have a budgeted capital. With the steady flow of income to support the demands of a new business, many new business owners realize the benefits of leasing equipment. However, one shouldnt be extra careful with great deal of research and review before signing the contract.

1. Understand your business credit and organize your finances before contacting the leasing company. If you have a decent credit, you can get a reasonable lease terms even if you just started your business. The particulars of new businesses depend on the type of new business you are starting and the type of equipment you are leasing.

2. Leasing companies love giving start-ups a chance but They want to know your business plans. Have a concrete goal complete with the mission and vision of at least 5 years. Your leasing company may doubt you if you have doubts with your business plans as well.

3. Research and review on your leasing company. Once you have a short list of providers make sure to check thoroughly Them October. Go to Google and run a search on Them. Also run a search on social sites like Twitter Media. Work only with established leasing providers like Axis Capital Group.

4. Once you have made sure the leasing company que is legitimate and not a fraud, make sure que They can accommodate your special needs before filling your application.

5. Be prepared to explain in advance any negative business results to the lease financing provider. For example, if you had a business loss in the previous years que led you to starting your new business explain why. The man from Jakarta, Indonesia had Been interviewed by his leasing company When he once applied for a lease but did not tell que he has experienced loss from before. Turns out the que leasing company did a background check about him. In the end, he was not able to get the lease from que company and from the other companies are associated to que que company. He went abroad to approve the lease instead.

6. Understand the difference between the Fair Market Value Lease and $ 1 Purchase Option Lease. According to Michael Lockwood, a great expert leasing, "The Fair Market Value (FMV) Lease is one of the most common leases que select businesses because it offers the lowest monthly payments, Provides the greatest flexibility at the end of the lease, and may Also Provide tax incentives. The FMV lease is often Do used for acquiring technology equipment. On the other hand, the $ 1 Purchase Option Lease Gives businesses the ability to "purchase" equipment for $ 1 at the end of the leasing period. The monthly payments are higher than the FMV lease. In addition, You may also have additional financial benefits including depreciation and interest expense benefits for tax purposes ".

7. Make sure you have a permanent business address since it is vital When You have some installation needed in your business.

8. Know your options since terms with the leasing company are flexible. Talk to your broker about leasing what kind of options you can take advantage of business once your lease is over.

For more info just check this out: Axis Capital Group .

Equipment Leasing Rare Scams Unveiled

Axis Capital Funding Group took note of some of the scams that you should be aware of when you apply for equipment leasing. If you think it may be impossible for big companies to pull these schemes off, think again. You may be surprised at their mastery on these things. Great scammers stay behind the shadows of legitimate businesses. Fortunately, fraud is a very rare case in the industry.

Will Teft, an expert in this field, points out two types of fraud used by major equipment financial companies. 

Serial Number Fraud is one of the main schemes. This involves receipts and subsequent financial of functional set of serial number for the purpose of financing the same physical item equipment with multiple lessors. This is often used using fabricated set of serial number tags. This kind of fraud is detected by documenting the serial number to the result of physical inspection. 

Another kind of scams that Teft had pointed out is the misinterpretation of prices which is more subtle and more difficult to detect. In this situation, the equipment do exists with legitimate serial number. However, in this field, the purchased price of the valuable does not reflect a true market-value of the equipment. This is usually done to an inexperienced lessor without prior knowledge about the equipment to be leased.

Rob Misheloff of Smarter Finance USA also compiled 5 Equipment Leasing Scams and Problems. 

The first one is the Evergreen Clause. 

Say you leased equipment for 48 months, some companies offer $1 buyout which means you can pay a dollar after the contract and the equipment will be yours. However, some companies have a 90-day clause which requires you to notify them before the date set or they’ll renew the contract for 6 or 12 months. This kind of scams is actually legal in many states.

Advanced Fee Scams on the other hand requires that you pay a large deposit (sometimes even thousands of dollars) before getting you approved for financing. They still keep the money if you don’t get the approval. 

Some equipment companies even use tactics which are already considered illegal like changing the contract hoping that you won’t notice. One best reminder is to check and recheck your contracts as detailed as possible. You can keep a copy for yourself and compare later on.

The government has created different anti-fraud agencies all over the states in America to protect citizens from these acts. UK also has their own share of legal aids to approach when such circumstances occur. In Asia, particularly in Jakarta, Indonesia and Singapore where there are reports of these anomalies, there is no specific agency fighting against this specific cause so it is easier for scammers to take control.