What's Your Opinion on Printer Inks/Toners

USER DC on 04/01/2021 - 00:06
Last edited 04/01/2021 - 05:42 by 1 other user

Hey everyone just wondering what's people's experiences been like with printers? To be specific I mean to say with inks and toners when they need to be refilled or replaced?

Do you like only use genuine printer ink/tonners or you go for like the cheap compatible options?

I am having a Brother MFC 9320CW printer (laser printer) and it is a great printer just out of 1 yellow toner

Genuine inks are quite costly, but however compatible ones are very cheap.

If you have any reliable recommendations for compatible toner or ink brands please let me know. I've heard a lot about Inkstation and premium ink cartridge not sure about their quality if you have any experience please let me know.

I've heard from manufacturers that using genuine ink/toner is only best way to ensure maximum reliability of printers like they mean to say using non genuine toner/inks will almost damage the printer.

I know most of people out there are gonna say just buy a new printer than cartridge or chuck out the whole printer but I'm not really doing that. I'm happy to spend on toner, and keep my reliable printer.

Also if someone could explain what parts really need changing in printers ( I have a Mrother MFC DN8800 too, that one has a like pf fuser kit, and drum like pretty low almost like 10% and still prints fine I mean fine )

Poll Options

  • 6
    Genuine Only, may be wait for some sale
  • 23
    Compatible cheap replica tonner
  • 0
    Premium Ink cartridge
  • 8
    Inkstation.com.au
  • 3
    Naa just get a new printer
Computing Ink Cartridge

Comments

  • SF3 on 04/01/2021 - 00:15

    I'm happy to spend on tonner, and keep my relaible printer.

    Haven’t you answered your own question? 🤔

    • USER DC on 04/01/2021 - 00:18
      +1

      Yes but Just wondering genuine or compatible ones

  • Donaldhump on 04/01/2021 - 00:17
    +1

    How many tons are we talking

    • USER DC on 04/01/2021 - 00:18

      One to be specific yellow.
      That's why i wanna keep it and its only printed out like 4800 pages till now (so printer is not that much used up either )

  • AustriaBargain on 04/01/2021 - 02:16
    +1

    Genuine if it's for a client that might want to keep the photos on display 30 years from now. Aftermarket ink for everything else, including personal prints because I can reprint whenever I want.

    • USER DC on 04/01/2021 - 08:52

      Na not really printing any like photos and never keeping something for more than may be 5 years at max

      • AustriaBargain on 04/01/2021 - 09:06

        Just noticed you asked about yellow. From what I've seen, aftermarket yellow dye can be a little trickier than any other colour if you mix them (if you refill your old carts). Might want to check that before pulling out your drill.

        • USER DC on 04/01/2021 - 09:13

          Thanks for the info, but i'd not mess up with refilling the cartridges.
          Way Easier to just buy another one and replace the whole cartridge.
          If i mess up refilling process, i risk ruining printer parts, and risk damaging it. I'll leave that to the pro's

  • modsec802 on 04/01/2021 - 08:05
    +1

    We get generic from seven hills ink on eBay - very good quality can’t tell the difference

  • EightImmortals on 04/01/2021 - 08:34
    +1

    Option $6: Look up how to reset the toner counter. :) (obviously wont work if you are really out of toner though)

    • USER DC on 04/01/2021 - 08:50
      +2

      Already done, it was showing cyan and yellow low, but yellow is actually low.

      It was easy to reset

  • Screamingeagle on 04/01/2021 - 08:38
    +2

    I have been purchasing generic ink on eBay for about 7 years (or even longer, I can't remember exactly when I started) without any issues. It has all been for the same printer which is about 10 years old.

  • Clear on 04/01/2021 - 09:44

    A lot of printer manufacturers (like Brother) offer an extended warranty if you use genuine toners. Or more accurately if they've found that you've used a non-genuine toner outside of the initial warranty period they'll void it and charge for repair.

    In a business setting always genuine but at home… yeah there are some good companies out there doing refillable toners/cartridges that I'll support.

    • Gareth on 04/01/2021 - 12:46

      Generally, I agree, but it depends on economics.

      A business I support was paying ~ $130 per toner for genuine Brother. Inkstation works out about $20 per unit (less with discount codes).

      For a printer which can be purchased new for $220, by the time you're onto your second toner you're already in front by more than the cost of a new device.

      • Clear on 04/01/2021 - 12:48

        For a business $220 is a very cheap printer. For my customers it's 3x that or more.

      • alvian on 05/01/2021 - 21:25

        Starter toners and cartridges are generally not fully filled. You should take account of this when calculating the ongoing cost of printing. A new printer is not always the correct answer.

  • dasher86 on 04/01/2021 - 09:57

    The newer Brothers know that you are not using a genuine ink cartridge now and you don't get all the features if you use a compatible one.

    • Clear on 04/01/2021 - 12:28

      Just make sure you do all the firmware updates first before using it. They've released a ton of dodgy updates lately that kill toners.

  • Pimpiticians 4 Life on 04/01/2021 - 11:18

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_S2lYXf-uu0

    Business Insider

    Printer ink can sometimes cost more than the printer itself. We talk with a former editor of the Recycler to find out why printer ink is so expensive.

    We are living in a disposable society. How many of these cheap printers end up on hard rubbish, peoples bins off to the tip etc
    A lot of energy is wasted in the process (workers time forced/slave labor) like electricity, fuel and shipping, plastic plus other parts and materials.

  • Drakesy on 04/01/2021 - 12:21
    +1

    There's a good video on youtube looking at the economics of printers, and they sell the actual printer at a loss only to recoup it in their proprietary cartridges later. I went down the replica cartridges and unfortunately they leaked everywhere and wrecked the printer (however just bought a new one anyhow.

    Use with caution, but i know of a lot of stories that have had success with them

  • Youfah Mizzum on 04/01/2021 - 12:37
    +1

    Like others have said - never update your printer firmware as I've also heard it'll destroy your ability to use generic inks. I'm heeding that advice and have never updated the firmware in my Brother laser. The firmware reads the chips on the toner and knows if it is genuine/generic.

    Laser printers - go for a reputable generic/replica.

    Inkjets - I'd tend to go for genuine. I destroyed a couple of older printers coz my OzB nature went with generic ink cartridges. Big mistake. They leaked everywhere and basically killed the printer. That happened on an old Epson and also a HP. The HP I was able to clean up & only went with genuines after that.

    • USER DC on 04/01/2021 - 19:52

      Yup my printer is pretty old, enough enough that it cannot be registered (so not a problem with firmware, probably will never receive update)

      But its hardly used like 4800 pages as Said earlier that too like 2600 black & white only.

      Yeah i don't wanna go down that cheap either that i damage my printer.

      I think I'll look for some tonner in the Facebook market place or gumtree and wait for dirt cheap deal on genuine tonner

  • wannagrababargain on 04/01/2021 - 17:55
    +2

    I only buy a printer if I know I can get cheap replica ink refills for that model.

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