The Best Ways To Save Money On New Or Recycled Inkjet Cartridges (Phil Zertisky)
Feb 2, 2010
Inkjet cartridges are widely used in printers and fax machines. For most users, they are the most expensive element in producing documents and photographs. Finding quality cartridges at a discount is not difficult to do, provided you perform a little research.
Many towns have stores devoted to cartridges. Some of these offer recycled ones, some will refill your own cartridge while you wait, and others also sell new ones. The savings can be significant, particularly on recycled cartridges, over buying new ones at the local office supply store.
Some drug stores also have cartridge centers which provide refill services. Most of them have a set price per cartridge, regardless of how much ink is required. This can be a good buy for larger capacity cartridges, but less economical for the smaller ones.
Both color and black cartridges can be recycled. There are a few types that cannot be refilled, due to a tendency to leak. The technician can advise you if your cartridge is one that should only be replaced with a new one.
The best values are usually found at online cartridge retailers. Their prices vary, and so can the amount of ink they use. Overall, they offer quality products at reduced prices. As with any type of dealer, there are some who under-fill the cartridges. Customers are quick to spread the word through chats and blogs, so you can often narrow down your choices in that manner.
When shopping online, be sure and check on the warranty offered. You might want to buy enough cartridges to last several months if there is a quantity price break or savings on shipping costs. However, you should make sure that you will be able to determine whether the cartridges are defective before the guarantee expires.
Some people are nervous about recycled cartridges, fearing they might damage the machine. A reputable dealer will cover any repair or replacement costs should their products damage your printer or fax. Find out what the policy is on such damages before buying, and if it is strictly a case of "buyer beware" seek another source. It is rare that refilled cartridges will leak, but it can happen. If it does, you can have blotches and smears on your output which quickly spreads to your printer tray. Small puddles inside the printer are more difficult to clean up, but are less common.
Visit several different websites to compare prices on your cartridges. Be sure to include any shipping costs when determining the most economical site. Also, a handful of sites want you to return your empty cartridges, so include any postage costs for doing so when evaluating the site.
For those who want only new cartridges, check online for quantity discounts from major office supply houses. Some of these may not charge for shipping at all, while others will offer free shipping to your local store where you can pick up your order. Drastic discounts are sometimes available, particularly on less common types not normally carried in the store. And when shopping at the store, see if they offer a discount if you trade in your used cartridge when you purchase a new one. Some stores will mail you a coupon for a set amount off your next purchase, and these may not be limited to just cartridges.
Savings on inkjet cartridges can be found in person and online. With the rising costs of printer and fax cartridges, it pays to compare.
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