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QUESTION:

Our company has over fifty inkjet and laser printers, fax machines and copiers in use and that number is growing. Upon closer examination of our budget, we were alarmed at what is spent spent each month on new ink and toner cartridges. This came to our attention when we were approached by a company that refills, remanufactures and offers generic substitutes at 20 to 60 percent less than the units offered by the equipment's manufacturer. Do we run any risk using these alternate products? Will it void any warranties?

ANSWER:

Over the years, I have interviewed most all of the big name computer printer companies and many of the smaller ones. Without exception, each representative has clearly stated that only their brand of disposable products should be used with their equipment. The reasons for this stance vary a bit but basically the common contention is that their inks and toners are specifically designed to work with their equipment. A great deal of research, development and money is spent by a printer manufacturer towards the development and formulation of inks and toners that are specifically matched and optimized to its printer technology which is also usually developed by that company. It's not even uncommon to see ink and toner formulations differ between printer models found in the same line. Most printer companies claim that using third party inks and toners can clog or even damage delicate print heads and other printer mechanisms. So many manufacturer warranties clearly state that if a printer's malfunction is determined to be caused by the use of third-party printer cartridges, the equipment's warranty is void.

But there are a lot of companies out there making a lot of remanufactured, refilled and generic cartridges and business is booming. Steve Stephen, president of Laser Technologies, a South Florida company that sells laser toner and color inkjet cartridges to hundreds of satisfied customers, says that things aren't all that black and white. Stephen points out that while printer companies may have spent large sums in development, it's not that hard or costly to make copies of an existing unit. Physically duplicating printer cartridges and duplicating ink and toner formulations is not nearly as costly as an initial design. And it's those cost savings that make it possible for companies such as his to offer units at a far lower cost.

But what about quality? As with any product and service, there's good and bad. Stephen cautions that consumers be careful and only buy from companies with good reputations. Use the same common sense as you would towards any consumer product you are considering. Ask for a client list and check to see if customers are happy with the products sold by the company. Remanufactured toner cartridges offered by reputable companies have worn parts such as the drum replaced with new components. The old "drill, fill and spill" mentality of disreputable companies are mostly gone but you should still be careful and know with whom you're dealing. Many companies, such as Laser Technologies, go a step further and offer their own warranty which states that if a printer is damaged due to any of its products, it will be either repaired or replaced with a new unit of the same or a comparable model.

Some quick definitions: A remanufactured cartridge has had some or all of its parts that can wear out replaced with new components in addition to being refilled with toner. A refilled cartridge is one that has only had a new quantity of ink added. This usually applies to inkjet cartridges that have no print heads nor any other components that can wear out. A generic cartridge usually refers to a brand new unit that has never been used nor refilled and contains all new components.

Laser Technologies (888) 805-9600 or (561) 792-9600 www.laser-technologies.com