The biggest drawback of inkjet printers is the cost of supplies. Original ink is one of the most expensive liquids in the world, and for no good reason. Fortunately, you do not have to be loyal to the OEM product range, and money-saving options are a click away. Learn how to spend less on printer ink the right way in 2022.
The price difference depends on the model of your printer and the brand of compatible supplies. For example, owners of HP Officejet 6950 can save over 60% by shopping on the Smart Ink site. There, a pack of hp 902xl costs $54.99 as opposed to over $150 in the HP store.
Why Such Disparity?
Printer manufacturers have always charged their customers handsomely for ink. The only official justification is their massive R&D costs. However, there is also a plausible conspiracy theory of sorts — the “razor and blades” business model. Deals on the core products (printers) seem misleading given the high price of ink.
Obviously, manufacturers want you to keep buying their expensive supplies for years. Compatible ink brands are smaller companies with limited costs, so they can afford to offer substantial savings. However, these bargain providers are not created equal. You need a bit of due diligence to find a trusted store.
Compatible Vs. Remanufactured
Third-party stores have two types of products, both of which are cheaper than OEM. In addition to compatible cartridges, which are designed and produced from scratch, they may have a remanufactured product line.
Remanufacturing is, in essence, refilling and refurbishing of OEM cartridges. Providers collect used shells, revamp them and inject fresh ink. As a result, you get an original container, but the price is much lower. Just like compatible cartridges, refilled products come with certified quality — provided to shop at trusted stores.
What to Look for
Finding the right cartridge for your model is only the beginning. Pay close attention to the background of the supplier, its reputation, feedback, and customer support. Here are a few hallmarks of excellence in this industry:
- Only certified quality in compliance with international standards (ISO, CE, Reach, STMC)
- The latest version of the cartridge chip
- High rating on platforms like Trustpilot
- 24/7 support
- Free shipping with reliable packaging
- Sustainable processes and products
The cartridge chip is crucial for recognition. Unfortunately, printer manufacturers release firmware updates preventing the use of compatible supplies. Reliable brands keep track of these changes and sell only updated products. You can also turn these updates off completely.
To Sum up
Printer ink is outrageously expensive, but you do not have to splurge on OEM products every time your cartridge needs replacing. Reliable stores in Canada provide cheaper compatible and remanufactured products that will help you save a substantial amount every year.
