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Frequently Asked Questions
1. My printer manual
tells me that only genuine original printer cartridges will work in my
printer....
Do your JetMaster aftermarket printer cartridges work just as well?
2. How can you sell
your JetMaster aftermarket printer cartridges for so much less than genuine original
printer cartridges?
-
The
manufacturing costs for OEM printer cartridges and generic compatible
printer cartridges are actually quite comparable; there is a minor
difference in the cost of packaging (OEM printer cartridges
generally have more packaging materials). The cost of the
packaging, however, doesn't even begin to account for the
difference in price. The reality is, the OEM printer cartridge
manufacturers simply have and maintain higher profit margins.
Brother, Canon, Epson, HP, Lexmark and other ink jet
manufacturers claim they need these high profit margins to
finance research and development, however this is the same
argument the pharmaceutical corporations use to artificially
inflate prescription drug prices in the United States for
items that costs significantly less in Canada and other non-US
locations. Likewise, you can find OEM printer cartridges at
significantly lower prices outside of the U.S., where the OEM
manufacturers have less control over the distribution
networks. The simple answer is, the OEM manufacturers want
higher profit margins on their ink jet printing options, though the
manufacturing process and costs are basically the same as for
compatible ink jet printing options.
3. Why do aftermarket
printer cartridges from retailers such as Staples and Office Depot cost a
lot more than your aftermarket printer cartridges?
-
Staples,
Office Depot and other traditional retails do not manufacture
their own aftermarket printer cartridges. In fact, they import their
printer cartridges from the same factories in China that most other
retailers buy from, but simply sell them with a higher markup
than most online aftermarket ink jet printer cartridge retailers. They
would like to deceive their customers into believing that
since their printer cartridges cost more, that they are superior to
the printer cartridges that we sell. The sad truth is that they often
resell inferior-quality products, because they force their
suppliers to sell them printer cartridges at extremely low prices,
leaving the supplier with no other option than to send an
inferior product in order to meet their demands. The
price-quality relationship for consumer is converse:
Traditional retail stores charge more for an inferior product,
while we sell our printer cartridges for less, but supply a
higher-quality product. Office Depot, Staples, etc. count on
their position as "premium stores" to keep their
prices high, though really this translates to premium prices
and zero service (these stores sell everything, but the
average employee doesn't know much about the products they
sell). In comparison, we offer reasonable prices and can offer
the knowledgeable customer support and provide the information
necessary to ensure our customers a good shopping and printing
experience.
4. Are your
JetMaster aftermarket printer cartridges refurbished?
5. What's the
difference between an refill system and a replacement printer cartridge?
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A refill system is a set of instructions, tools and
ink jet inks designed
to refill a given ink jet printer cartridge. A replacement printer cartridge
is a complete cartridge unit that is installed directly in the
printer (in place of the previous, spent printer cartridge).
6. Aren't refill systems complicated and messy?
-
With our refill systems, we include detailed and diagrammed instruction
booklets to illustrate clearly and precisely the proper
re-use method for your particular printer cartridge. With proper application
of the refill tools and attention paid to re-inking your
printer cartridge, the mess should be minimal, though it is always a
good idea to put down newspaper over your work surface.
7. Why do your refill systems cost more than the universal refill systems I can find at retail
stores?
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Our refill systems are exponentially more specialized than the
universal refill systems available in retail stores and from TV
infomercials. Universal refill systems are mass-produced and
mass-marketed along the principle of "one-size fits
all", a concept that doesn't map too well to the
complexities of ink jet technology. With over 200 different
formulations of ink jet inks at our fingertips, we can
guarantee the compatibility of our inks with your ink jet printer cartridge. The tools in our refill systems take into account the
myriad of different printer cartridge styles now in existence, so you
will receive the right tool(s) for the job.
8. How do I know
your inks will work in my printer?
9. I do a lot of
photo printing. Will your inks maintain the vibrance and
durability I can get with genuine original printer cartridges?
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We carry ink jet inks that are a chemical and physical match to the
original ink jet inks in your printer cartridge. Hence, our
ink jet inks should
provide you with the same print characteristics, output and
quality as the original.
10. Won't usage of a
refill system or aftermarket printer cartridge void my printer's warranty?
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No, it
is actually a violation of the Mugnusson-Moss Warranty
Improvement Act (Title 15 Commerce and Trade, Chapter 50 -
2302) for any manufacturer to require the use of its
proprietary (and spendy!) supplies for fulfillment of the
printer's warranty.
It is illegal for the manufacturer to void the warranty simply
because you used third-party supplies. The manufacturers know
this, though it does not keep them or their employees from
making empty threats and misleading statements.
11. If I have
questions about your products, will I be able to speak with a real
person who can address them knowledgeably?
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We are ready,
willing and able to answer your ink jet questions and concerns
via email (support@a1inks.com)
and over the phone 8:30AM to 5:30PM Pacific, Monday
through Friday (we are closed on New Year's Day, Memorial Day,
Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day).
12. I tried
universal and it did not work. Can you explain why I would have
more success with your refill system?
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The
manufacturers of universal refill systems ignore the basic fact
that there are more printer cartridges and more ink jet inks in them, than can
be covered by a single refill system. Universal refill systems are
cheap and cheaply made, and the makers and sellers bank on the
fact that since they are cheap, their customers won't bother
to return them. In a more cynical light, office super stores
and other retailers have a second incentive not to sell a
quality product that works: they do not want to jeopardize
their business relationships with the OEM printer
manufacturers, whose products they also sell. With our refill systems, we go the extra mile to ensure a match between
our ink jet inks and the OEM inks; we test and re-test our re-inking tools and methods in our own offices and with our own
printers prior to releasing a new refill system to the
market.
13. I see that you have a tool to make a hole in the toner cartridge. Is that the way you refill them when I purchase remanufactured toner cartridges from you?
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No, the remanufactured toner cartridges that we offer are remanufactured by disassembling the toner cartridge, cleaning and replacing the parts that are worn out. The reason for this is because refilling with the tool and plug is suitable when you don't need to ship the toner cartridge, and where you are familiar with the starting condition of the toner cartridge to be refilled. However, there are some toner cartridges that have pre-existing OEM laser toner hopper plugs, and there are also some that can't be remanufactured without making a hole to reach the laser toner hopper.
Still have questions? Call us at
800-901-4657 or email support@a1inks.com.
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