Compatible laser cartridge and refill questions

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Dario

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I bought a laser all-in-one Canon printer,copier,fax,scanner and it is an awesome machine.

My question is, have any of you guys tried/used any "compatible" cartridge or tried refilling your old cartridge? Does it work and would you recommend it?

A new original cartridge is about $64.00 which is good for about 2,500 pages (at 5% coverage). Not that much if you calculate cost by page but I can get a compatible cartridge plus ink for 5 times refill for that amount (including shipping).

Comments based on experience (good or bad) will be much appreciated.
 
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I am watching this. I hate inkjet cartridge prices! I often spend the equivalent of $50.00 a month for color ink cartridges on Epson and Canon printers for 100 to 200 in pages in quality mode. Drives me up the wall!

I also have an older B&W multi function Laser that takes the brunt of my printing. I need another one soon. It sure is cheaper in the long run. But I REALLY want a color laser for most of my printing.
 
Dario,
I don't have a Canon printer, my scanner is a Canon which I love, but my printer is an Epson C84... I buy all of my cartridges through an online company called PrintPal.. seems to work fine.. no problems at all.

Back when I was still working, the girl responsible for the office supplies always bought the "compatible" cartridges for my HP printer.. except for an initial start up problem (always had to run hot water over the print head to start the ink flow) got good service from them as well.

Biggest problem you need to watch... if the print head is in the cartridge and not the printer itself, you might have some problems.. especially if the PH gets scratched or damanged during the refill process.

I ran a Lexmark for a while and did my own refils...also refilled my wife's Epson C82.. if I wasn't careful, it got messy, but no real problems with the refilled cartridges.
 
One warning, if your printer is under warranty do NOT use generic ink cartridges. Usually in fine print it lists using them as voiding your warranty. I had a major breakdown with my Canon printer, they wanted the printer back WITH the present ink cartridges in it. Fortunately I was using their brand because I couldn't of switched out the generics since the whole machine was locked up. They replaced my machine on the warranty, but wouldn't have if I'd been using generics. After the newest one died I went shopping for a HP instead. Their ink cartridges are cheaper.....
 
My brothers ex-wife always sent her laser carts to a local shop and had them refilled and she never had a problem. And half the cost of new.

I will also warn you all about generic ink jet refills. I refuse to use them now, I can contribute using them to 2, yes 2, printer failures. I now only buy originals. I does and will plug the pen on the epsons.
 
Originally posted by bkc
<br />One warning, if your printer is under warranty do NOT use generic ink cartridges. Usually in fine print it lists using them as voiding your warranty. I had a major breakdown with my Canon printer, they wanted the printer back WITH the present ink cartridges in it. Fortunately I was using their brand because I couldn't of switched out the generics since the whole machine was locked up. They replaced my machine on the warranty, but wouldn't have if I'd been using generics. After the newest one died I went shopping for a HP instead. Their ink cartridges are cheaper.....
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This is illegal.

(I am a copier dealer - know these things!!)

"Compatibles" can be just as good as OEM, or they can be for spit.

If you find one that works, stay with it. If you find one that doesn't, try others. Some CAN harm your machine, in which case the warranty is voided, but the machine manufacturer has to be able to show HOW the cartridge caused the failure.
 
It might be illegal, but Canon's customer service is about as bad as it gets. Besides starting a lawsuit, if they say tough, it IS tough. I just don't deal with Canon anymore.
 
Originally posted by bkc
<br />It might be illegal, but Canon's customer service is about as bad as it gets. Besides starting a lawsuit, if they say tough, it IS tough. I just don't deal with Canon anymore.
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All the manufacturers have us over a barrel. I don't believe Canon is any worse than the others.
I have used refills that are OK. I have tried a refill it myself kit and that was a terrible mess. I just bought a different kit and will be trying. BTW, the one I bought is just $1.00 and is good for two refills. The store I bought from says they sell a lot of them to repeat customers. I don't doubt it.
 
Does it use Ink or Toner. They are different products. I have tried refilling my own toner using a tool to cut and plug the cartridge. Hasn't workd on 2 cartridges so far, but they were more than 10yrs old so the organic cylinder may have dried beyond its useful life. I'm considering buying an new empty and using the toner I already have to fill it.
 
For toner, check around your local area. There is probably a store that refills them. Try them out and find out what there warranty is. Most of the better ones don't refill, they re-manufacture the cartridge. And do it for half the cost of new. Try them once, if you are satisfied with their product and service stick with them.
 
Originally posted by Dario
<br />I bought a laser all-in-one Canon printer,copier,fax,scanner and it is an awesome machine.

My question is, have any of you guys tried/used any "compatible" cartridge or tried refilling your old cartridge? Does it work and would you recommend it?

A new original cartridge is about $64.00 which is good for about 2,500 pages (at 5% coverage). Not that much if you calculate cost by page but I can get a compatible cartridge plus ink for 5 times refill for that amount (including shipping).

Comments based on experience (good or bad) will be much appreciated.
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If your cartridge is the type that has the drum built in I would recommend that you NOT buy refills.
 
Drum-type cartridges CAN be refilled. Definitely ONCE and most TWICE. Then, you reach the life of the drum and your copy quality will suck.

It's a messy job and the AMOUNT of refill on most units is critical. Rebuilt cartridges can be great (or poop). Find a dealer that resells them. If Canon tells YOU they will not stand by the warranty, you accept it - I Don't - but I also have better resources to argue with them, when appropriate.
 
Ed,

I bought Canon MF4150 and it uses this cartridge.

Product description say...
The Cartridge 104 offers a single cartridge that combines all of the parts in one unit. The toner, drum, and development are all included to offer virtually maintenance-free performance. For the best in quality use Genuine Canon Toner.

I am looking at this cartridge on eBay.

He also sells these refills.

What do you think?
 
Dario,

I ALWAYS mistrust people who use the freight to make a profit and I RARELY order ANYTHING from E-bay, especially if there is no BRAND NAME.

But, those are my prejudices - not hard facts.

Do a google search, there are several companies that sell nothing but toner and offer money back guarantees. I would be more comfortable with them.

By the time you pay him $17 in freight and $24 for the ctg, you're at $41. I found several "known" sources (with a standard google search) that were close to this cost that I would prefer.

Looking for more information, will add tomorrow.
 
Originally posted by ed4copies
<br />Dario,

I ALWAYS mistrust people who use the freight to make a profit and I RARELY order ANYTHING from E-bay, especially if there is no BRAND NAME.

But, those are my prejudices - not hard facts.

Do a google search, there are several companies that sell nothing but toner and offer money back guarantees. I would be more comfortable with them.

By the time you pay him $17 in freight and $24 for the ctg, you're at $41. I found several "known" sources (with a standard google search) that were close to this cost that I would prefer.

Looking for more information, will add tomorrow.
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Ed,

I know about the shipping but I did factor it in. I also plan on buying 2 or maybe 3 so the price will be about $40.00 a piece shipped and insured.

I did check a few vendors online but haven't seen any that offers as low actually though some are close but w/o the shipping yet. I am all ears if you can recommend a good/reliable vendor whose price is comparable.

To all who shared their input both here and off line via email...THANK YOU!!!
 
Originally posted by ed4copies
<br />Drum-type cartridges CAN be refilled. Definitely ONCE and most TWICE. Then, you reach the life of the drum and your copy quality will suck.

It's a messy job and the AMOUNT of refill on most units is critical. Rebuilt cartridges can be great (or poop). Find a dealer that resells them. If Canon tells YOU they will not stand by the warranty, you accept it - I Don't - but I also have better resources to argue with them, when appropriate.
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I agree that they CAN be refilled. The problem with the refurbs is that you don't know if you are getting one that has been refilled once or ten times. Many times I have watched someone take a "new" refilled cartridge out of the package, put it in the printer only to find out it is garbage. They take that cartridge out, throw it in the trash and pop another one in the printer. You can play the cartridge lottery if you like, I will stick with a known source of quality.
 
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