Printer Ink Cartridges - Who Gets the Money? Part 3 - Compatible and Remanufactured Ink and Toner

Part one detailed the Australian Channel companies and the reasons why they want to entice printer ink cartridge and toner cartridge consumers to buy their product. Part two details the pros and cons of buying from a "grey market" distributor or reseller. Part Three highlights the differences and between compatible and remanufactured ink and toner.

Compatible and remanufactured ink and toner often get mixed into the same definition, but they are quite different from each other.

Companies that sell compatible ink and toner import them from overseas. Cartridges are sometimes built on the same process lines that genuine toners and inks are built on, and sold "out the back door" with different packaging. Most often though, companies overseas are commissioned to copy the genuine inks and toners and their boxes are printed to the specifications of the Australian company that imports or resells them. This product is sometimes referred to as "new" printer ink cartridges or toner cartridges.

Remanufactured cartridges can be made anywhere in the world and imported too, but the remanufactured cartridges sold in Australia are often recycled here in Australia.

Generally, the cheapest option is the Remanufactured cartridges. Unfortunately the old adage, you get what you pay for is often true for this product. If you have the time to return a faulty cartridge, or be without your printer, or are very conscious of your cash flow you might prefer them. Toner and ink are as different to each printer model as people are to each other. Whilst yellow ink and toner looks yellow, it might melt, flow or magnetically attract to the drum at a different rate to another brand's yellow. This causes a high failure rate of both printers and cartridges.

There are a few reputable remanufacturing and compatible companies in Australia. They stand by their product with guarantees and warranties that provide comfort for the consumer. Unfortunately there are also a number of non-reputable companies in the same industry. As a rule of thumb, the ones that ask you to buy lots at a time, or offer you amazing add-ons that seem too good to be true are truly too good to be true.

A reputable reseller of any printer toner or ink cartridges will be happy to demystify the deal; simply make a call and ask the question. The printer ink and toner market in Australia is not that diverse. Most resellers know each other personally, or by reputation and will be able to advise whether you are being ripped off, or simply have been offered a great deal.

Many remanufacturers use the recycling band-wagon to promote their product. Australian Channel and "grey market" companies tell us that compatible or remanufactured toner is not necessarily better for the environment. Wasted inks, toners and paper as a result of failure, and wasted hardware through damage are part of the problem. In addition, when a cartridge is no longer popular, (and there is no market for the recycled ink or toner) remanufacturers have no choice but to dump the empty cartridge. The traditional recycling program, sponsored by the Australian Channel Vendors will not collect from the remanufacturers.

The biggest advantage of buying compatible or remanufactured ink and toner is price. If you are bound by cash flow constraints, then the compatible or remanufactured printer ink cartridges and toner cartridges might be a viable option. A really good reseller will actually advise you if you can or cannot use non-genuine cartridges in your printer.

The team at tonermart and the cartridge family have over 10 years experience in printer ink cartridges and which printer ink cartridges to use. Don't hesitate to call or email and ask them.