Depending on the brand and model of a printer, you can often find them at very reasonable prices, however people often forget that the accompanying accessories can be expensive. It is no secret that toner and ink cartridges are pricey, often adding up to more than the printer itself. However, there are cheaper alternatives referred to as ‘compatible’ cartridges that can save you hundreds in the long run.
Compatible cartridges are made by third party manufacturers and whilst they fit and work in your printer, they were not made with your specific model in mind. This also means they are most likely not the same brand as the printer you are putting them into.
Despite being such a cost effective option, there are a number of misconceptions keeping people from opting for compatible cartridges over the more expensive options.
Your warranty will be void
The most common misconception is that using compatible cartridges will void any warranty you have with your printer manufacturer. Though some companies might tell you that your warranty will be void if you use non-branded cartridges, the truth is that it is actually illegal for them to do so.
It’s important to keep in mind that items such as toner, ink and paper are huge revenue sources for these companies so they’ll do what they can to encourage use of their products. But rest assured you will be covered should you choose the more affordable option.
Quality will be poor
Many people are under the impression that the quality of compatible cartridges is inferior to that of OEM cartridges, but this isn’t the case. Like any product, compatible cartridges have to meet certain standards and pass through quality tests before they make it to the shops. If you are unsure of the quality of the product, it might be a good idea to take a look at some online reviews before making a transaction.
Compatible cartridges will break your printer
A genuine worry for a lot of people is that using compatible cartridges will damage their printer. Thankfully this won’t happen as these cartridges are made to work in a range of printers and will have been thoroughly tested beforehand. The only way a non-OEM cartridge can damage your printer is if it is used incorrectly or is faulty – the same applies to OEM cartridges.
OEM cartridges have a higher page yield
This is not always true – in fact whilst most compatible cartridges match the page yield of OEM cartridges, some can actually have a higher page yield than those made by your printer manufacturer.
As with most things it is always a good idea to do your research before committing to any purchase. Look online and read compatible cartridge reviews to help you make a decision. Remember, the job of any big brand is to convince you to buy their products as opposed to more affordable options on the market. However, rather than giving them your extra cash, why not keep it for yourself?