Do you use Original or Compatible Inks?

[Kwayzee Wabbitt]

Hi,

We have been selling compatible inks for quite some time, but occasionally get asked for Ink Cartridges from the Original manufacturer as people often say that these are better, even though they are really expensive for what they are.

I would be interested to know what people would expect from a Retail store to hold (not online) would you expect us to have compatible or just originals?

We do ok in this field as we give good advise backed up with a good product and no quibble warranty - but I am unsure if this is why people buy - are they just desperate for a caertridge NOW or just can't be bothered to wait for it to be posted?

What are your views? Thanks

 

[BigAl127]

I have 3 printers, 2 inkjets and 1 laser, and I use compatible inks and toners in all of them. I've only ever had 1 cartridge fail to work, which compared to the amount of money i've saved is neglible.

I usually buy online, as there's only 2 places local to me that sell compatible inks, but not toners. I usually order in plenty of time, before existing stock runs out.

I used to work in a computer shop, and it was impossible to stock for all printer models, so we kept a few common ones, and ordered as required for other customers. Usually got them next day or within 48hrs max, unless it was a really obsolete printer.

Hope that helps.

 

[Talay]

Epson Workforce Pro using the highest yield original cartridges of 3400 pages on each colour.

Not worth going for compatible when you've well priced manufacturer inks.

However, some previous Canon 3 in 1 inks were horrendously priced compared to compatible and I even went further to buy ink refills with a syringe, getting immense satisfaction from screwing over rip off Canon.

 

[Kwayzee Wabbitt]

Epson Workforce Pro using the highest yield original cartridges of 3400 pages on each colour.

Not worth going for compatible when you've well priced manufacturer inks.

However, some previous Canon 3 in 1 inks were horrendously priced compared to compatible and I even went further to buy ink refills with a syringe, getting immense satisfaction from screwing over rip off Canon.

Canon are still very expensive, even the refills are dear as people now sell the empty ones rather than giving them away.

Never a good idea to use syringe based refils - when you refill there is always some old ink left in the cartridge which goes "thick" and will probably clog up your printhead - a nasty surprise if you are using an Epson printer as you cannot easily remove the head to clean it.

We have about 90% of Epson in stock, 50-60% of the other makes - we don't stock any Lexmark at all and only get them to order.

Thanks for the info..

 

[Talay]

Canon are still very expensive, even the refills are dear as people now sell the empty ones rather than giving them away.

Never a good idea to use syringe based refils - when you refill there is always some old ink left in the cartridge which goes "thick" and will probably clog up your printhead - a nasty surprise if you are using an Epson printer as you cannot easily remove the head to clean it.

We have about 90% of Epson in stock, 50-60% of the other makes - we don't stock any Lexmark at all and only get them to order.

Thanks for the info..

I don't refill, I use Epson originals. I used to syringe fill an old Canon printer as it gave me great satisfaction. I use a laser for other stuff as well.

The Epson Workforce Pro is truly amazing as an all in one. Truly exceptional buy and print costs with original inks of less than a penny per page.

 

[titan03018]

I used to buy only Canon original ink because I was utterly insistent that chipped compatible ink cartridges simply weren't as good. I then found myself in a position when I ran out of ink last minute on a job and needed to pay a quick visit to my local independent ink shop...with a deadline looming.

The guy in there does carry Canon originals but he didn't have the one I needed - only a compatible cartridge. I wasn't overjoyed but bought it anyway, needs must.

I then went back later after being so pleased with the ink (and the much lower cost) and bought a full set of the compatible cartridges. I am now pleased so say that I only ever buy compatible cartridges -- and I print photographs on glossy paper with no problems at all.

I personally would think it's worth having a small supply of official inks but if you're passionate enough about the compatible inks (like my local guy was) I am sure you could get most people to try the switch.

 

[ashbash]

I have printed thousands of greeting cards using Cannon pixma printers, which have been fantastic in terms of reliability and ability to print on thick card and watercolour paper.

I use compatible inks, initially from Cartridge World, now from an independent shop of ex-franchisees, and am really happy with the quality and quantity of the cartridges. As the cards are quite ephemeral the long term light-fastness is not so important, but I wish they could be waterproof too. For other prints that I want to put a watercolour wash over I use an Epson with DuraBrite inks which are waterproof, but I find Epsons erratic in paper pick up with any thicker cards.

Can anyone point me to an art/photo quality printer with waterproof inks?

 

[Phild1973]

Hi,

We use compatible toners but note there are a lot of poor ones around. We've been using either Xinia or Green Tech toners for a couple of years now and had no complaints. But we only need standard office printing so no high graphic requirements so its ideal for us and saves us loads.

 

[visagephoto]

I use an Epson inkjet and a set of (6) Epson cartridges comes in at around £75.00.

A local retailer charges £20.00 for three sets of (6) compatibles which caused all sorts of problems from blocking the print heads, to saturating the print rollers and paper with pools of black ink.

However I've since come across an online company selling five sets of (6) cartridges for only £21.00 including delivery etc. and even less if purchased through Amazon. to date I haven't had any problems with these cartridges and the print quality is excellent.

I'll stick with the compatibles and if they eventually damage the printer It'll still be cheaper to buy a new one.

 

[PDRD]

I have a brother and canon and use genuine cartridges every time. Only once used a nin genuine cartridge and it was so crap that it put me off for good. Yes they cost a lot more but I cannot be doing with the hassle of prints not coming out right or colours wrong or blocked printer. I dont have time to mess around with that stuff. I probably spend about £400 per year more by buying genuine but itbis something I am happy to do.

On a separate note. I now need an A4 colour laser. Can anyone recommend one? Preferably with cheap genuine toner. ...

Thanks
Phil

Sent from my GT-I9305 using UK Business Forums

 

[Mpg]

I used compatible ink on my epson last week. Didnt print black at all then blocked the nozel.

So bought a new printer.

The only thing I will try now other than original is a CISS system Now thats a massive saving

 

[CAEDAN]

Depends which printer I think. I bought compatibles with a lexmark and it ruined it. I bought a replacement printer which was a brother.

After a friend used compatibles for his canon from a ebay (of all places!) supplier successfully, I tried a set - worked perfectly! Best thing was two complete sets of ink, plus two extra blacks (10 cartridges) were £6!! Still using them on the brother.

I also have a samsung colour laser, not found compatibles as cheap as I can get them from Makro for. You need to shop about. Samsung charge £70 odd for genuines, yet the genuine samsung ones from Makro are around £25 mark.:|

 

[Talay]

...
On a separate note. I now need an A4 colour laser. Can anyone recommend one? Preferably with cheap genuine toner. ...

Thanks
Phil

Sent from my GT-I9305 using UK Business Forums

You need to work out what you need it to do first and then which technology you want as laser is evolving into multiple technologies. Some have fewer parts which means less to replace etc.

I was going down the colour laser route with duplex and all in one capability but I eventually went for the Epson 4535 as it is nigh on laser quality (it is to me) with near laser speed.

 

[14Steve14]

I have two epson printers. They both use the same cartridges. In one I use genuine inks and in the other i use the cheapest |I can get. I have found that the print quality of the genuine inks is far better and they are also waterproof to a certain degree, which is what I want. The other printer is just for things like invoice printing so the quality does not matter so much.

 

[Kwayzee Wabbitt]

There are many compatible inks out here - the advice that I can give you is as follows:

1, Never use ink that is past it's date - water based inks (which is most of them) evaporate after a period of time and go "thick" this is the main reason why print heads get blocked.

2, Use your printer at least once every two weeks, just by switching it on and letting it go through the motions is usually enough to stop printheads being blocked.

3, Compatible cartridges are only usually as good as the "chip" thats included on them, some cheaper "eBay" cartridges have cheap chineese chips that either don;t work or may cause damage to your printers - be warned

4, Don't use fiberous card when printing, as this can also cause printhead problems, most card is ok, but paper such as sugar paper and card much like this is not adviseable.

5, Printers that have a removeable head as usually better as problems can be solved easier. Canon printers especially the IX series "IX6550" have removable heads.

6, Independent ink retailers usually have a wealth of knowledge when it comes to what to do and not to do with your inkjet printers.

7, NEVER try to refill cartridges yourself unless you know exactly what you are doing, not completley cleaning out the old cartridge before refilling leaves some old ink in it and this ink will go thick and case a blockage - see point 1.


If anybody wants any ink we have loads and our cartridges although not the cheapest, have chips made by a company called "Static Control" same people that make Epsons Chips I believe. £3.99-6.99 on average. Hint Hint

Anyway, hope the above helps somebody out.