What's in a cartridge? (continued)

...it is important to understand the following distinctions when purchasing toner:

1. OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) – These are entirely new cartridges that have been manufactured and approved by the manufacturer of the printer itself (sort of the printer equivalent of “Genuine GM Parts” for your car).  Typically, these are the most expensive types of cartridges, but they also tend to be superior in quality to both “compatible” and remanufactured products, and most importantly, with OEM cartridges you do not run the risk of voiding any service warranties that you may have.
    

2. New Compatible – Compatibles, like OEM cartridges, are 100% brand new, but they are typically not approved by the printer manufacturer.  They are essentially imitation products, much like buying the store brand ketchup instead of Heinz.  With some products, you can’t tell the difference, but with others, it’s night and day.  The same is true of Compatible toner cartridges – some are quite good and make fine and often significantly less expensive substitute for an OEM cartridge, while others are clearly inferior in quality.  The biggest issue, however, is that although they can save you some money, using Compatibles will often void the service warranties on your printer, regardless of the quality.  For this reason, we recommend checking with the manufacturer before using Compatible cartridges.  Otherwise, you should be prepared to pay for service that might normally be covered by your warranty.
    

3. Remanufactured – This is a cartridge that has been used, refilled with new toner, and re-sold – possibly with a new print drum or other components as well.  “Re-man” cartridges are typically the least expensive, but they also tend to be the poorest in terms of quality, and will almost certainly be blamed by the service tech for any printing problems that occur.  Toner residue from the cartridge’s “previous life” can negatively affect print quality and adhesion, and damage to the carcass can also cause printing problems.  However, depending on what you’re printing, buying Remanufactured toner can make sense, and will certainly cost less than either OEM or New Compatible cartridges.   

There are valid arguments to be made for and against each type of cartridge, and for this reason, Relyco sells all three types.  We can’t make the decision for you, but as with most products you get what you pay for in terms of quality.  If you’re doing an important job like printing checks, you should consider using OEM cartridges, especially if you’ve invested a lot in the printer you’re using.  On the other hand, with a more “down and dirty” job such as printing internal reports, it might be more economical to use New Compatible or Remanufactured toner.   

Still not sure which type of cartridge is for you?  Call or email Relyco today to speak with an experienced sales representative about your application.  We’ll be happy to help make your decision an easier one!