Arthur said:
Your comment regarding 3rd party inkjet cartridges is a broad
generalization, and is probably more incorrect than correct.
What he said was right on target. All the reviews from reputable
sources are worse than awful. And to complement those awful reviews are
many postings here about all of the people having all sorts of
problems. This also proves the unprofessional type of disclosures by
the relabelers or lack of appropriate disclosures.
The problem is it really does depend upon what printer brand and model
is involved, and, of course, the company producing the 3rd party
inkjet cartridge.
It makes no difference regarding which model of printer or brand of
printer. The same awful stuff causes the same awful problems.
Many are equal or better than the OEM versions.
Totally false. None are better and none are as good. Even looking at
Wilhelm tests proves how low the quality is.
Some are indeed horrible, and going into this blindly is just asking
for problems. A number of reputable 3rd party inkjet companies exist,
and reading this and other newsgroups can help to define which are which.
The newsgroups are filled with plants and people associated with this
terrible industry. The relabelers who sell the generics will not even
disclose the brand they are relabeleing and reselling. Companies that
do not properly disclose cannot be reputed to be reputable.
Laser Printer toner cartridges, more often than not, are not made by
3rd party companies, but refurbished OEM cartridges. The cost of
making these quite complex products just isn't justified to produce
from scratch. Instead all those cartridges that people bring to the
retailer when empty are sold to refurbishers/remanufactuers. Good
rebuilders will dismantle, test and replace all parts that are worn,
including the drum itself, and use a proper and quality toner to
replace the manufacturer's toner.
The big problem with laser consumables is you will find it difficult to
tell who the good guys are/
Bad rebuilders don't take the cartridges apart, don't test, and slap
whatever toner they can get away with into the cartridge, possibly
without even emptying the left over toner in it.
The way to find out which is which is sometimes difficult.
See above.
I suggest you ask around, as you are, for good rebuilders, and look
for companies that offer written guarantees on their refill toner
cartridges.
Many guarantees on a lot of different products are stupid. Buy
something for $50 and then send it back to China for repair. Wait a
year and maybe spend $100. in long distance calls and another $100.00 in
shipping and then see if the guarantee will be honored.