artorange
03-19-2012, 09:20 AM
"In the United States, under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act of 1975, it is illegal for a manufacturer to refuse to honor a warranty when a consumer uses a third-party consumable.
While genuine printer cartridges generally produce the best output quality, they are also the most expensive. For those who are looking to save money on expensive printer consumables, third-party supplies (known in the trade as compatible, remanufactured, recycled, or ""for use in"") can be a good option, as long as the supplier's product quality is good.
Another consideration is the environment: refilling your cartridges yourself or buying a remanufactured one can save lots of waste from going into the landfill and lots of carbon from going into the air. Toner and ink cartridges, while generally non-hazardous, are comprised of toxic chemicals that can harm wildlife. How do you know if a supplier's product quality is good? Research the supplier's feedback online, to see what its customers have to say. If you see consistently high ratings, you can probably feel safe in buying from them. If they are a new merchant with no ratings, the ratings are bad, or the price is dramatically lower than other suppliers, then that may be a sign something is wrong. In-store refilling options, such as cartridge franchises and now some drugstores, also can help reduce your printing costs. You can also buy refill kits and refill them yourself, for even more savings. Take note, though, that this can be a very messy process, especially if you haven't done it before. Plus, a used cartridge can only be refilled so many times before essential components wear out (which varies by manufacturer and cartridge type), so you may only get a few ""fills"" out of it before you have to shell out for a new one.
In summary, no, your printer's warranty cannot be voided if you use third party supplies. If you choose the right supplier, you can save money, keep your printer happy, and still rely on the manufacturer to service your machine if something goes wrong. Happy printing!"
Art Orange
While genuine printer cartridges generally produce the best output quality, they are also the most expensive. For those who are looking to save money on expensive printer consumables, third-party supplies (known in the trade as compatible, remanufactured, recycled, or ""for use in"") can be a good option, as long as the supplier's product quality is good.
Another consideration is the environment: refilling your cartridges yourself or buying a remanufactured one can save lots of waste from going into the landfill and lots of carbon from going into the air. Toner and ink cartridges, while generally non-hazardous, are comprised of toxic chemicals that can harm wildlife. How do you know if a supplier's product quality is good? Research the supplier's feedback online, to see what its customers have to say. If you see consistently high ratings, you can probably feel safe in buying from them. If they are a new merchant with no ratings, the ratings are bad, or the price is dramatically lower than other suppliers, then that may be a sign something is wrong. In-store refilling options, such as cartridge franchises and now some drugstores, also can help reduce your printing costs. You can also buy refill kits and refill them yourself, for even more savings. Take note, though, that this can be a very messy process, especially if you haven't done it before. Plus, a used cartridge can only be refilled so many times before essential components wear out (which varies by manufacturer and cartridge type), so you may only get a few ""fills"" out of it before you have to shell out for a new one.
In summary, no, your printer's warranty cannot be voided if you use third party supplies. If you choose the right supplier, you can save money, keep your printer happy, and still rely on the manufacturer to service your machine if something goes wrong. Happy printing!"
Art Orange