Counterfeit products present a significant problem for consumers around the world who mistakenly purchase fraudulent goods. The office technology space is not immune to this scourge, as counterfeit ink and toner cartridges for printers have become increasingly common in recent years, with massive raids resulting in millions of dollars of bogus printing supplies being seized. While the manufacturers of the products being counterfeited lose revenue to this illegal practice, they’re not the only victims. The end users purchasing what they believe to be genuine printer cartridges are being hoodwinked by counterfeiters, paying near what they would pay for a genuine product for an inferior knock off.
What’s the downside of counterfeit cartridges?
First and foremost, counterfeit print cartridges can compromise the efficiency, reliability, and longevity of your office equipment. Tests conducted by Buyers Laboratory Inc. (BLI), an independent research organization, revealed that up to 47 percent of non-genuine toners failed during their lifetimes. Counterfeit ink and toner cartridges can also result in lower page yields, substandard print quality, increased servicing, and costly damage to your printer. Genuine ink and toner cartridges are manufactured and assembled while adhering to strict specifications put in place to ensure the reliability and safety of the product. These cartridges go through rigorous quality assurance measures to ensure they meet the manufacturer’s high standards. Counterfeit cartridges do not.
How to identify counterfeit products?
Unfortunately, counterfeit printer cartridges can be difficult to detect. Some manufacturers utilize anti-counterfeiting measures to guarantee quality, such as holograms, QR codes, or embossed label characters that change color at different viewing angles. Carefully examine your ink and toner cartridges for a manufacturer’s logo that matches the one on your printer and only purchase remanufactured cartridges from reliable sources. Also carefully look for damages or flaws to the cartridge; any scratches or nicks would not be present on a genuine product, as they are held to much higher standards than their counterparts.
How can you protect yourself against counterfeit print supplies?
The surest way of avoiding a counterfeit print cartridge is by purchasing your supplies from a reputable office technology provider. Avoid buying printer consumables from online sources such as Amazon and eBay; instead, turn to an office equipment dealer that has been in business in your area long enough to make them a trustworthy partner. You may pay a little more, but you’ll end up getting a higher return on your investment without putting your expensive devices at risk.
You rely on your office printer to help ensure efficiency and productivity in your business, why would you want to use anything but the best consumables in it? Guarantee outstanding value and exceptional quality by avoiding counterfeit printer cartridges. Contact us at R.L. Mark & Co. today to learn more.
