But one thing you shouldn’t sacrifice when looking for a
bargain is quality, and printer cartridges are no exception to this.
While counterfeit printer cartridges can save you a huge amount
compared to Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) or remanufactured versions,
they can cause huge problems to your print quality, hardware and even your
personal safety.
Below is a list of the reasons why purchasing counterfeit
cartridges should be avoided at all costs.
So many people make the mistake of thinking they can ‘get
away’ with poor quality, counterfeit printer cartridges – but the truth is you
can’t.
However, if it does pass the initial test, then expect a really
poor print compared to original or remanufactured cartridges.
Poor colour quality, splotches and streaks are among the
many complaints from counterfeit cartridge users.
Also, expect your counterfeit cartridge to be empty
pretty quickly after purchase, as there are rarely fully filled during their
slapdash manufacture.
If you get away with only poor quality printing then to
be honest, you should be thankful.
The next, more impactful consequence, is damage to your
printer. Counterfeit cartridges can cause a variety problems, at that is
usually down to poor quality components used in their manufacture and the fact
that they are ill-fitting when inserted into your printer.
Expect leaks, bursts and spits from your counterfeit, all
of which can cause permanent staining and damage to the hardware.
Physical damage to both your printer, and yourself should
also be taken into account as it is a real possibility.
While remanufactured cartridges
are far cheaper than OEM versions, they should never be confused or associated with
counterfeits.
Here at Red Bus Cartridges, we source used OEM cartridges
from our sister company, The Recycling Factory,
before remanufacturing and eventually selling.
If a cartridge does not pass any one stage of our testing
process, then they are discarded - as are any counterfeits that we ever come across.
If you are reading this article then there is a good
chance that the above two points may already be something that you have
encountered - in which case you might be searching for your printer warranty at
the same time as reading this!
Don’t for a second think that your printer manufacturer
will uphold your printer warranty if it has broken while you were knowingly
using counterfeit ink or toner cartridges.
They won’t – it really is as simple as that. As soon as
you knowingly use a counterfeit cartridge, you are essentially voiding the
warranty on your printer there and then.
That said, if you have made an innocent mistake, and you
are able to prove that you didn’t intentionally go out to buy counterfeit
cartridges, then you might just be lucky – depending on the make and model of
your printer.
Counterfeit cartridges are generally manufactured
overseas, meaning that to reach the United Kingdom, they must be shipped long
distances.
The lengthy supply chain involved in shipping these items
across the world can be extremely harmful to the environment.
The same cannot be said for our remanufactured cartridges, as we complete
all of our manufacturing, from start to finish, right here at our purpose built
Lincolnshire factory. This enables us to keep our carbon footprint to a minimum
and create a closed loop recycling system, as cartridges can be refurbished on
numerous occasions.
That’s right, the manufacturers of these counterfeit
cartridges have illegally copied an original design and have more than likely
broken UK Patent Laws along the way.
Counterfeit cartridges are illegal to produce and sell –
something you really don’t want to get involved in for the sake of saving a few
extra quid!
Article written by Calum Chinchen – Social Media Executive at Red Bus Cartridges