Home | Computers | Printers & Ink Cartridges

Discount Ink Toner Buying Tips

By: Rey Berona Click author's name for more of his/her articles

You've run out of ink and now you have to replace the ink or toner cartridge. You run to the local office supply store and you get price sticker shock or they don't have the one you're looking for. Before you run out of ink, you should visit the online discount ink and toner retailers.

Customers who buy discount ink cartridges find that the quality is equal or superior to brand name ones. Plus, they also find that they can print just as many or more pages using generic cartridges. Same quality and/or equal or even increased number of printouts at a fraction of the cost! Review the websites of the discount ink and toner stores shown below. Chances are one them them will have exactly the replacement cartridge you need for your printer. The big name OEM manufacturers may not like it, but your budget and bottom line sure will!

Purchasing generic replacement printer ink or toner cartridges online is a great way to save on your printing cost. There are many options available: OEM cartridges, remanufactured cartridges, compatible cartridges, ink refill kits, or ink / toner recycle programs. There are some simple tips that can help save you money and improve your online shopping experience:

1) Types of printer ink and toner cartridges. Printer cartridges can be divided into 3 main types: Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) cartridges, remanufactured cartridges and compatible cartridges. Some stores only sell OEM cartridges while others sell all three types. Select a store that sells the type of cartridges that is right for your printer.

2) Price. Comparing price is simple but make sure you are comparing apples to apples. In general, OEM cartridges are the most expensive, followed by remanufactured cartridges and then compatible cartridges. 100% compatible cartridges are also more expensive than generic compatible cartridges that may not have all the new upgrades (such as printer smart chips) installed. OEM cartridges generally have higher quality output, but they are also overpriced. Because of competition and the declining prices of printers, most printer manufacturers mark up the price of their OEM cartridges to make up for the loss of profit in their printers. In comparison, compatible cartridges and remanufactured cartridges are more reasonably priced.

3) Product quality. Do you require high quality printing for your every day needs? If not, why buy the more expensive OEM replacements. OEM cartridges are generally considered to be of higher quality but the quality of remanufactured or compatible cartridges is catching up. In fact, many third party manufacturers are producing these discount ink and toner cartridges in ISO 9001 facilities, following the same specifications of OEM cartridges.

4) Printer cartridges yield. Compare the quantity of ink (how many ml) and the print output of toner cartridges (number of pages) with the cost. This will give you a better idea whether you are truly getting a bargain.

5) Free Delivery. Compare the shipping policy of individual retailer. How long does it take for them to ship out your order? Do they provide free shipping? The cost of shipping can cut into your savings.

6) Money back guarantee. Most reliable vendors provide 90 days to 1 year warranty. Many customers do not open their purchase and do not use the new cartridges immediately after the purchase. You should open the package upon receipt to make sure you receive what you ordered. An extended warranty period will ensure that you can return the product and get a refund if something goes wrong.

7) Planning - Plan your purchasing needs. Many online companies have season specials (summer savings, winter specials, etc). They usually have coupons that offer money saving discounts. Take advantage of these offerings to save more money.