As a member of the Water Coolers Direct team I regularly see low spec cheap water coolers and other similar machines available for purchase at rock bottom prices, unfortunately these machines are normally subject to a shorter life due to inferior build quality and poor manufacturing practices. People buy these machines to save money frightened off by the high cost and inflexibility of the rental contracts more typically offered throughout the UK.

To people unhappy with renting a water cooler or to those attracted by the purchase only option, I would draw your attention to the following points that will hopefully inform your decision making processes:

Choose plumbed in (or mains connected) rather than the expensive bottled options

Bottle water coolers make water cooler rental companies a lot of money due to the continuing need for replacement bottles and it’s because of this that many push bottle fed systems over the cheaper to run plumbed in (or mains connected) water coolers. If you want a plumbed in machine don’t let anyone persuade you that this is not an option unless they have first come over and inspected the site, plumbed in systems can be installed almost anywhere due to advances in plumbing technology such as flexi pipe and push fit connectors.

Choose not to rent and save money
Rental can be an expensive option, remember that you are paying for the machine as well and not just the servicing, if you opt for a bottle fed machine you can also expect to be charged for delivery either as an extra or as part of the rental agreement. Most water cooler rental contracts last for 3 years to allow the companies in question to recoup the cost of the machines that they have supplied you with, this means that often when compared to outright purchase rental is not the most cost effective option.

If you opt for a bottled cooler choose your supplier of bottled water and switch if their service falls short
Many people simply prefer the idea of a bottled water cooler, or are situated in listed buildings where the installation of plumbed in machines is not possible. In these instances purchase only can give the customer flexibility in choosing a given service provider and allowing them to ultimately switch if the service levels fall short.

Choose a refurbished water cooler and save on the list price
Sales only companies who specialise in drinking water systems routinely have a number of refurbished machines at discount prices in their warehouses. Typically these machines have only slight problems such as damaged panelling or small electrical problems, the great thing is that the machines cannot be sold as new and have to be refurbished a process normally undertaken by the original manufacturer.

Conclusion
Everyone wants something different from their water systems, some need coolers some fountains some the most basic filtration units. More important than any of this is to choose the correct water company for your business, organisation or home and also to get the payment terms that suit you.