OEM Versus Remanufactured Printer Ink Cartridges Found Online

2011-06-21

Buying printer ink online has become a matter of habit for many consumers these days, and Internet sites offering printing supplies have claimed the lion's share of this lucrative industry by providing better service, more choices and lower prices. Brother, one of the largest computer printer manufacturers in the world, has a strong foothold in this area and Brother ink is sold through hundreds of thousands of sites online. A simple search for the phrase 'Brother ink', in fact, returns more than two million relies.

If you're using a Brother printer you've no doubt learned that the cost of keeping your printer running far exceeds the price you originally paid for the machine itself. It's no secret that manufacturers slash the prices on their equipment in an effort to lock consumers into their particular brand, thereby receiving countless years of business through the purchase of replacement printer ink cartridges. They also make it a point to warn consumers that the use of any brand of replacement cartridges other than theirs is not only not recommended but also could damage the equipment and even, in some cases, void the machine's warranty.

The truth is, this is a marketing tactic that should be taken with a grain of salt, as there are third-party cartridges out there that meet or even exceed the specifications of Brother OEM (original equipment manufacturer) units. While it should be noted that some printer ink online providers do sell substandard replacement cartridges that should be avoided, it is also true that there are many offering good deals on replacement products that will perform as well or even better than the original cartridge that came with your machine.

It's important when searching for printer ink online, whether it's Brother ink or any other brand, to do a little research into the provider you're considering to ensure that they are reliable and are known for selling quality products. This is easy enough to do by visiting some printer ink comparison sites that are unaffiliated with any particular brands or reading articles in some of the online consumer magazines. You can also go to individual websites and read comments and ratings supplied by current and/or previous customers.

The big difference between OEM and remanufactured printer ink cartridges is price. A remanufactured unit has been recycled, which is good for the environment and, as long as it's been refilled with a quality ink, it should perform just fine. Saving money on the purchase of a single unit may not amount to much, but for those applications where high volume printing is being done, the savings over the long run can be significant.