Compatible Ink Cartridges Provide Comparable Performance At A Fraction Of The Cost
Besides buying a remanufactured ink cartridge, your two other options for replacement ink cartridges are OEM or compatible versions. OEM ink cartridges are the ones sold from the manufacturer advertised as being brand new. Compatible cartridges are just that, compatible. These are replacements that duplicate the OEMs for a fraction of the original cost.
"Razor and blades" business model
The reason why OEM cartridges are so expensive stems from the razor and blades business model of printer manufacturers. This business model focuses on a cheap initial investment (in this case, the printer), but makes the user continually invest in expensive refills. Overall, there is no difference between OEM cartridges and the compatible version, the only distinguishing factor being the marketing involved. The large printer companies scare customers into buying their cartridges by threatening damaged printers or voided warranties.
There is almost no difference between the manufacturing processes of compatible and OEM cartridges and the warranties are comparable as well. Is it worth it to use an aftermarket cartridge brand though? Yes, it certainly is when the cartridges can cost about 80% less than the OEM versions. Compatible cartridges also share a shelf life identical to their OEM counterpart.
Be careful in choosing a retailer
The only drawback to compatible cartridges is the research involved. When selecting the right aftermarket cartridge, the first step is to match up the printer model with the right refill. Second, depending on the printer, determine if you want a larger capacity cartridge or original capacity.
Lastly, remember to carefully choose the right aftermarket manufacturer, or you could wind up with a bad cartridge. Bad cartridges could suffer from a number of problems, including poor quality, poor or off-color ink, or a short shelf life. Once all of this research is done, remember to choose a reputable online retailer like 4Inkjets with a good price on the replacement you want.