Archive for the ‘cost’ tag
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.