On this page, we'll discuss some of the more frequently asked questions we've received about inkjet and toner cartridges. If your question isn't answered here, please use the link at the bottom of the page to email us and we'll get to researching and get back to you!

Q: So are OEM's actually the best choice for toner cartridges?
     This really is a question with many different answers. It really depends on what is 'best' for you. It's like the difference between buying a nice, functional car vs. buying a fully-loaded Mercedes. They both will get you where you're going, but with the Mercedes, you're paying for some style points, as well as the (hopefully) dependability and superior parts that a Mercedes carries. With OEM cartridges, you can be relatively confident that you're getting quality components that are ment to withstand the wear and tear that toner cartridges receive. We say 'relatively' confident because, on occasion, even OEM cartridges can be defective out of the box. Also, as pressure from environmental watchdogs increase, more and more OEM manufacturers are using more 'recycled' components even in their OEM cartridges. There's nothing wrong with this practice (it's great for the environment), but as a consumer, you should know that you may be paying a premium price for what amounts to a 'branded' high quality compatible toner cartridge. In conclusion, if you wear Gucci, carry a Fendi bag, or have a cell phone with 'bling' on it, you probably won't mind paying for an OEM. For the rest of us, there are great ink and toner cartridge places out there that sell a quality product for a fraction of the price...you just have to find a quality seller (hint: you're at one now!).

Q: Will using a non-OEM ink or toner cartridge void my new printer's warranty?
     This seems to be an ongoing point of confusion. The short answer is, NO. Several consumer laws touch on this subject. Here is a partial quote from the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Improvement Act.

MAGNUSON-MOSS WARRANTY IMPROVEMENT ACT
United States Code Annotated
Title 15 Commerce and Trade
Chapter 50 Consumer Product Warranties
15 Section 2032

(c) No warrantor of a consumer product may condition his written or implied warranty of such product on the consumer's using, in connection with such product, any article or service (other than article or service provided without charge under the terms of the warranty) which is identified by brand, trade or corporate name; except that the prohibition of this subsection be waived by the commission if:

1) The warrantor satisfies the Commission that the warranted product will function properly only if the article or service so identified is used in connection with the warranted product, and
2) the Commission finds that such a waiver is in the public interest.

     Basically what this says, is that the manufacturer of your printer cannot void the warranty on your printer solely because you chose to use a compatible or remanufactured cartridge. The manufacturer must prove that the printer failed as a direct result of the use of non-OEM cartridges (Which if you're using high quality compatibles, would be very rare.) It's also worthwhile to note that even if your printer is damaged by a non-OEM cartridge, all other aspects of the warranty should remain unaffected (i.e. - any parts covered under the warranty not damaged by the non-OEM cartridge). Printer manufacturers can (and some have) however, make parts as complicated as possible to discourage the 'copying' of their product. This includes making OEM's with specialized computer chips that will talk only with the OEM's specific printer and making odd shaped cartridges with special levers and buttons that will only engage in the specific printer for which it was designed. This makes it much more difficult and expensive for high quality compatible cartridge manufacturers to make an identical copy of the OEM.

Q: What is toner and does it matter?
     Toner is the material inside the toner cartridge that makes the actual image on the paper. Toner is actually a VERY finely ground material (consisting basically of plastic and pigment) that is electrically charged so it will stick to the paper. The paper, with the toner on it is then passed through the fuser, which heats the toner, effectively melting it onto the paper. In a nutshell, that is what is happening inside your laser printer when you print. And, yes, toner does matter.
     The quality of toner is much like the quality of oil or gasoline that you use in your car. Toner can be made from inferior plastics or use inferior pigments for coloration which will lead to poor print quality. Many OEM toner is made with very specific amounts and kinds of plastics and pigments. It is important when purchasing compatible or remanufactured toner cartridges that you ask the Supplier if their toner is made to ISO (International Organization of Standardization) 9002 standards. This will insure that the toner you are purchasing is consistent with internationally accepted standards.

Q: What is a 'Refill Kit' and do you recommend them?
     As economy becomes more and more a determining factor in deciding where businesses puchase replacement ink and toner cartridges, Refill Kits can begin to look like the 'Golden Egg.' Refill Kits are simply bottled toner or ink, usually sold with some sort of device to make an opening in a used toner or ink cartridge. Refill Kit manufacturers promise you signifcant savings, enticing you with sayings like, '...if you can fill a salt shaker...' or '...just five minutes...'. American Printer Service, Inc. emphatically DOES NOT recommend using Refill Kits. Toner is SIGNIFICANTLY different than salt and five minutes doesn't include the hours you'll spend trying to clean up the spilled toner which is more than likely to occur. Excessively leaked ink and toner can permanently damage the internal components of your printer, potentially costing you hundreds of dollars in repairs or replacement. OEM cartridge manufacturers simply do not make their product to be drilled or pried open and reused. Doing so severely compromises the integrity of the cartridge and can lead to its eventual failure. For these reasons, American Printer Service, Inc. highly recommends you either 'pony up' and purchase the OEM cartridge or find a reputable high quality compatible toner cartridge Supplier (like us!).

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