Frequently Asked Questions

Will using a remanufactured cartridge void my warranty?

Why should I buy a remanufactured cartridge instead of an OEM?

What is an OEM?

Are there negative sides to using remanufactured cartridges?

What’s the difference between COMPATIBLE, REMANUFACTURED, and OEM cartridges?

Am I really helping the environment by purchasing remanufactured cartridges?

Will using a remanufactured cartridge void my warranty?

Absolutely not! It is illegal for a printer manufacturer to require you to use any particular brand of supplies. An OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) cannot void your warranty unless they can conclusively prove that other brands of supplies will damage the machine. To enforce a policy such as this is in direct violation of the Sherman & Clayton Antitrust Acts
and the Clayton Anti-Trust Act

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Why should I buy a remanufactured cartridge instead of an OEM?

You can save up to 20-50% off the cost of brand name and you are protecting the environment by keeping unwanted plastic and waste out of our landfills. Also, cartridges sold to you as new by some manufacturers are actually remanufactured as well. Look at the bottom or side of your box. Some say "Made in Japan from the highest quality new and recycled materials" while others state "this newly manufactured product may contain parts and materials recovered from the HP Planet Partners Recycling Program" or Canon's "This cartridge may contain reconditioned parts". You're probably paying too much for what is actually a "recycled" cartridge put back into fancy packaging.

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What is an OEM?

Original Equipment Manufacturer - produced by the original manufacturer.

 

Are there negative sides to using remanufactured cartridges?

Absolutely not. Using remanufactured cartridges saves money, helps preserve the environment, provides a high quality product, and helps support our local economy. Most federal and state governments now require the use of remanufactured cartridges when available.

 

What's the difference between COMPATIBLE, REMANUFACTURED, and OEM cartridges?

COMPATIBLE: Compatible products are targeted to meet or exceed OEM performance. Compatible products are manufactured to the original manufacturer's specification by various manufacturers.

REMANUFACTURED: Original products recycled and rebuilt to meet or exceed original manufacturer's specification.

OEM: Original Equipment Manufacturer - produced by the original manufacturer.

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Am I really helping the environment by purchasing remanufactured cartridges?

Yes!. Each discarded empty laser printer cartridge adds approximately three pounds of unnecessary waste to our landfills. This waste will take as long as 10 centuries to decompose. It is estimated that 100 million laser printer cartridges and 400 million ink jet printer cartridges are produced each year. Remanufacturing these 500 million cartridges will save an estimated 4 million cubic feet of landfill space. The office products remanufacturing industry has made and will continue to contribute a substantial positive impact upon the environment and the economy wherever it exists.

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