Foot scanners are becoming increasingly common in fields like custom footwear, orthopedics, and sports rehabilitation.
Large shoe chains, physical therapy clinics, and sports science centers all have access to these devices.
However, high-end foot scanners are often expensive, costing anywhere from tens to hundreds of thousands of yuan per device. This represents a significant investment for many small and medium-sized organizations.
As a result, many people struggle with the question of whether a one-time purchase or a lease is more cost-effective.
In reality, there’s no single answer to this question; it depends on your financial situation, business model, frequency of use, and equipment upgrade needs. To determine which is more cost-effective, you must first understand the true cost structure of a foot scanner over its lifetime.
Purchase Characteristics and Logic
The biggest advantage of purchasing a foot scanner is permanent ownership. Once the purchase price is paid, the device becomes your fixed asset, allowing you to freely use it when and how you choose, without being restricted by a lease agreement.
For institutions with long-term, high-frequency use, purchasing can spread costs over a longer period. For example, if you measure dozens of patients daily, and tens of thousands of patients cumulatively over a year, the cost per measurement can be very low.
Purchasing also offers the added benefit of brand recognition and image.
When clients see your institution equipped with a high-end foot scanner, and that it’s a long-term, reliable device, they perceive your practice as more professional and stable, which is crucial for image-conscious stores and clinics.
However, purchasing also carries significant cost pressures. First, there’s the large upfront investment. A device costing hundreds of thousands of yuan is a heavy burden for small and medium-sized institutions, and even with installment payments, it can consume a significant portion of their cash flow.
Second, there’s the burden of maintenance and depreciation. As precision equipment, scanners require regular maintenance and calibration, costs that must be borne by the individual.
Furthermore, technology is rapidly evolving. In three to five years, more accurate and intelligent models may become available, rapidly depreciating the value of older equipment. If your business demands high technological leadership, purchasing may risk rapid obsolescence.
The purchase model is more suitable for the following types of users:
Business volume is stable and high-frequency, with the equipment operating at full capacity daily;
Sufficient funds are available to cover the purchase cost in one go;
Plan to use the same equipment long-term and are not concerned about the speed of technological updates;
A desire for brand image and long-term asset accumulation.
Leasing Features and Logic
The biggest advantage of leasing a foot scanner is its reduced initial investment.
You only need to pay monthly or annual rental fees, rather than a one-time investment of hundreds of thousands of yuan. This provides a significant financial buffer for startups and pilot projects. For businesses with limited demand (such as seasonal promotions, short-term trade shows, or temporary testing events), leasing is almost the only reasonable option.
Leasing also reduces the risk of maintenance and upgrades.
Most reputable leasing companies will cover routine equipment maintenance, troubleshooting, and even provide replacement models after technological upgrades. This means you can always use the latest equipment without worrying about expensive equipment quickly becoming obsolete.
Furthermore, if the equipment is no longer suitable for your business after the lease expires, you can terminate the lease immediately, avoiding wasted resources.
Of course, leasing also has its drawbacks.
First, long-term costs may be higher, especially if you frequently lease for several consecutive years. The accumulated rental payments could exceed the purchase price.
Second, there are usage restrictions. During the contract period, the scope of use, relocation, modification, and even marketing rights for the leased equipment may be restricted. Violations may result in additional fees.
Third, there’s the issue of equipment ownership. You can’t record it as an asset, nor can you recoup some of the cost through resale.
The leasing model is more suitable for the following types of users:
Business volume fluctuates, with peak and off-season periods, during which equipment is rarely used;
Starting a business, with limited funds and a desire to invest a large amount of cash at once;
Requires updated equipment models and the latest technology;
Requires temporary or seasonal use and doesn’t require year-round ownership.
The key to cost comparison
Determining whether leasing or buying is more cost-effective hinges on comparing the total cost over the entire lifecycle with the business benefits.
Purchase costs include the one-time equipment payment, transportation and installation fees, training fees, ongoing maintenance costs, depreciation losses, and potential replacement costs after three to five years. Leasing costs include rental fees (monthly/annual), rental service fees, possible insurance premiums, and additional fees for use beyond the agreed-upon period.
If you plan to use the equipment for more than three years and use it frequently, buying is generally more cost-effective, as the total rental costs will likely exceed the purchase price.
If you only plan to use it for a short period of time, or your business volume isn’t high enough to justify the purchase cost, leasing offers flexibility and a lower barrier to entry, saving you money.
Hidden Factors and Decision-Making Traps
Many people focus solely on the price when making decisions, overlooking hidden factors. For example:
Cashflow Pressure: Purchasing requires a large upfront payment, which may impact other projects. While leasing offers a lower monthly cost, the long-term rental lock-in can also impact cash flow.
Technology Update Cycle: The accuracy and functionality of foot scanners can change significantly over three to five years. If your industry is highly competitive and technologically demanding, purchasing may result in outdated equipment being left unused.
Brand Partnership Opportunities: Some brands offer free or low-cost rentals in exchange for long-term partnerships and promotional opportunities. These models can be more cost-effective than either purchasing or simply leasing. Maintenance Response Speed: If a self-purchased device malfunctions, you’ll need to contact the manufacturer for repair, potentially disrupting business. However, leased equipment typically provides rapid replacement or repair services, which is particularly important during peak periods.
A Real-World Case Study
Suppose a chain of custom sneaker shops sees an average of 30 customers requiring foot scans per day. Operating 300 days a year, the total number of scans is approximately 9,000.
If a foot scanner costing 150,000 yuan were purchased, with annual maintenance costs of 5,000 yuan, assuming five years of use, the total cost would be approximately 175,000 yuan, with a per-test cost of less than 2 yuan.
If a lease were to be made, the monthly rent would be 5,000 yuan, or 60,000 yuan per year, or 300,000 yuan over five years. The per-test cost would be approximately 3.3 yuan, and there would be no residual value to recover.
In this high-frequency scenario, purchasing is clearly more cost-effective.
Conversely, consider a rehabilitation and physical therapy center that only examines 10 patients each weekend, performing fewer than 500 tests annually and only 2,500 tests in five years.
Purchasing the equipment for 150,000 yuan brings the total cost to approximately 175,000 yuan, with a single test cost of 70 yuan.
Leasing the equipment for 5,000 yuan per month, renting for three months a year, brings the total cost over five years to 75,000 yuan, with a single test cost of 30 yuan.
In this low-frequency scenario, leasing is clearly more economical.
Overall Recommendation
If your institution’s business is stable and the foot scanner is a core production tool, purchasing it will be more cost-effective, especially if you can ensure high equipment utilization and are able to maintain it yourself.
If your institution’s business is highly seasonal, you’re in the pilot phase, or have a strong need for technology upgrades, leasing offers greater flexibility and avoids the financial risks of a large, one-time investment.
Many businesses can actually adopt a hybrid strategy: purchasing equipment in core stores for long-term, stable use; leasing equipment on a short-term basis for temporary events, promotions, or new stores, maintaining flexibility in responding to the market. This approach allows for cost control while also benefiting from technological upgrades and ongoing maintenance services.
There’s no absolute advantage or disadvantage between leasing and purchasing a foot scanner; it’s simply a matter of whether it fits your business model. To determine the most cost-effective option, you must comprehensively assess your financial situation, business frequency, industry trends, brand needs, and risk tolerance. Ignoring these factors and focusing solely on price can lead to short-sighted decisions.
In the long run, organizations that can flexibly adjust their equipment acquisition strategies based on market fluctuations are often more competitive than those that simply prioritize “saving money.” After all, equipment is merely a tool; the true value lies in the services and experiences you create with it.
