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Genuine vs Non Genuine Cartridges

23rd Oct 2012

Customers are always asking my opinion of Generic or Non Genuine Cartridges. Firstly, you need to understand the differences. Genuine means simply that. The cartridge is a Genuine HP, Epson or Canon etc, and is manufactured by those companies. Very rarely do I see faulty Genuine cartridges. One thing you have to be careful about when buying Genuine cartridges is the reputation of the reseller you are buying them from. Some resellers or retailers sell "Gray Market Cartridges". These are Genuine cartridges but they have been bought in from overseas outside the normal distribution channel. For instance instead of buying my HP cartridges through my HP distributor I can import them directly from China or Taiwan at a cheaper price and make more money. The only two problems with this is

1. Is the cartridge actually a Genuine or has it been copied or counterfeit?

2. As this cartridge was not bought in by HP they can refuse to honour the warranty if it was found to be faulty.

Do some research on the net to see the average price of the toner or ink cartridge you are looking for. If you find a price that is way too cheap then there could be a few reasons.

1. It is not really a Genuine cartridge after all and could be counterfeit

2. It could be a Gray Market Cartridge which means you won't have a wrranty

3. The reseller could be pulling the wool over your eyes and telling you it is Genuine when in fact it is not.

4. The price being offered might not include GST or shipping.

Unfortuantely, whether we like it or not there are a lor of shifty people in the world that just want to make money and not worry about service, support, warranty or integrity and honesty.

I pcked up a business card in a shop once and on the back it had one of the best quotes I have ever read... "Confidentailly, our opposition are a complete bunch of crooks. Don't trust any of them".

I have never forgotten this business card and I think I still have ti somewhere.

I know that genuine cartridges seem expensive. Well let's face it. If you do the maths then toner is more expensive than coccaine and ink is more expensive that petrol and gold.

You reduce the risk of problems with printing quality and relaibility of your printer by using Genuine toner and ink cartridges. I use them wherever I can but there are a couple of exceptions. I will go into Non Genuine or Generic in my next post.

Until next time... My quote for the day is "It's all about luck. Just ask any loser." Justin Herald.