When your printer runs out of ink, there are three alternatives: to buy a new cartridge from the brand, to refill the existing one or get a compatible product from a third-party store. In recent years, more consumers have been turning to unofficial sources, as the prices for branded cartridges are disappointing. A replacement may cost almost as much as the printer itself, but are the alternatives reliable?
If you want to get new ink more affordably, third-party offers are irresistible. After all, you can get compatible hp 934/935 ink cartridges from a trusted online shop like Smart Ink for a quarter of the price. Moreover, the quality may be just as high! Here is how to choose the right option.
Cheap Printers, Expensive Ink
Printer manufacturers have long been suspected of using the razor and blades business model. It is based on selling a cheap product and capitalizing on consumable supplies. Some printers are sold at a loss, but the price for replacements may be comparable, which allows the company to recoup its investment. This seems logical, as big brands spend billions on R&D. On the downside, consumers feel cheated.
Remanufactured vs. Compatible
Remanufacturing refers to the recycling of old cartridges — filling them with fresh ink. You may take your original product to a service provider that will empty, clean and refill it at a fraction of the original cost. The outcome depends on the quality of the ink and service. Some firms will even fix cartridge defects as a bonus.
Compatible cartridges are designed by third parties. While they emulate the original counterparts, the differences are big enough to preclude violation of patent protection laws. In this case, both the ink and the container come from another brand, but they are both compatible with your equipment.
For consumers, the appeal of alternative cartridges is strong, which annoys printer brands. Legal campaigns to have the industry outlawed have failed, but manufacturers are programming their firmware to reject non-original products. This problem has an easy fix — disabling updates.
Original or Compatible?
With OEM (original equipment manufacturer) cartridges, quality is guaranteed. Meanwhile, those who want a cheaper compatible product should choose suppliers with caution. Reliable shops offer cartridges with excellent characteristics, such as high page yield, long shelf life, and certified quality (CE, ISO 9001, ISO 14000, Reach, STMC).
At the same time, shady firms sell products that cause smudges, problems with printheads, and other issues. Thus, research the background of the store. Look for the following advantages:
- Certified quality;
- Extensive warranty (2 years);
- Ink level tracking;
- The latest version of the chip;
- Sustainable and recyclable products;
- Substantial volume (XL);
- Free shipping.
To Conclude
Original cartridges have multiple strengths, but their price is a big deterrent. If you decide to opt for alternatives, choose compatible cartridges from reliable stores. Compare user feedback across platforms, and pay attention to their warranties.