Toner Cartridges

[Snaggletooth]

Not exactly a tax subject, but has anyone noticed that we are changing toner cartridges more often than we used to??

All of us have heard that a "half-gallon" of ice cream has been reduced from 64 ounces to 56 ounces, and several other consumer products have reduced their size as well (without reducing their price).

But at least you can see the visual evidence of this. If they have been cutting back on the black stuff you can't see it.

Is this just my imagination, or have some of you been suspicious as well??

[JohnH]

What I want to know is -> how is it that they are reducing the size of a half gallon of ice cream but my waistline keeps getting bigger?

The guy who refills ink cartridges for my color printer weighs them on a gram scale to determine how much ink is left in them, if any. I suppose the same could be done for toner cartridges, but you'd need to know what an honest full one weighs to begin with.

Or maybe your clients are getting richer and it takes more toner to print all the extra digits on their returns. But the additional complexity would also translate into more digits on your invoices, which in turn would make the extra cost of toner less of a concern.

[Gary2]

I don't know about the toner cartridges not lasting as long, but recently Costco changed their online ordering policy for the specific ink-jet cartridges I order for personal use. I used to be able to order one cartridge at a time, for the individual color that I needed. It was a great price, with shipping included, and delivery typically within 3-4 days. Roughly $13 per cartridge plus sales tax, no S&H.

The new policy requires at least two cartridges of the given color per order. I sent them a note saying that I'd gladly order two cartridges of different colors at the same time, since I typically run out of cyan and magenta within a month of each other, but ordering two of the same color made no sense for me. That policy change was enough for me to start searching for alternative online vendors. I have yet to hear back from them.

[Burke]

Not exactly a tax subject, but has anyone noticed that we are changing toner cartridges more often than we used to??
If they have been cutting back on the black stuff you can't see it.
Is this just my imagination, or have some of you been suspicious as well??

I noticed the very same thing this year. Went through one in a month. I couldn't believe it. Usually I buy three a year for my laser printer. And use two during tax season. Yet the price has gone sky-high.

[oceanlovin'ea]

me too

Yes, I noticed the same thing. I just thought I was doing more work..maybe that wasn't the case.
I purchased a small HP Laserjet printer at the beginning of tax season. It prints fast. It is just black. But I can do like I did on my old printer. I can take the cartridge out and shake it back and forth and get more copies. I did that several times and probably got 50 to 75 more sheets out of that cartridge. The printer was less than $100.

My husband ordered some cartridges on line and got 3 or 4 at one time. Can't remember the price. I would have to look it up.

Linda, EA

[Mo Sheets]

Same here...

I agree....seem to be going through more toner cartridges. I used to order from Staples but their prices continue to rise. About a year ago, I began purchasing off of eBay. In most cases, I am able to buy toner cartridges for slightly less than half (including shipping) than what I was paying at Staples. That is a huge savings....

I always type in "Genuine Canon" and the number of my cartridge as my initial search. Last year, I saved about $500 by doing this.

Mo

[Bonnie]

Bought some this year from a company called Associated Supply out of Las Vegas by mail. The salesman contacted me and I'm not even sure how he got my name. They shipped the cartridges to me for approval and I could send them back if I wasn't happy. Had something like 60 days to pay after I received them. No postage and then after about 6 weeks made me an offer if I paid then, I'd get some more money off what I owed so I did. Been happy with them and much cheaper than what I bought last year at Staples. I paid 90 last year at Staples, Ones I bought from Associated Supply this year were 75 each and when I paid the invoice after about 6 wks it was 145.50 for 2. If anyone wants to call them for a price it's 800-345-9072. The cartridges came in just a couple days after I ordered them and decided to give it a try based on the good price.

[S T]

I found a "printer service" that has been running maintenance on my Printers now for 3 years - he encouraged me to use the "recycled" toner cartridges that he provides on a "drop ship" all I have to do is email him, and I have in about 2 days

Did not like "recycled" prior, but this source so far has been "awesome" and stands behind the maintenance on the "Printers" as well as the " Recycled Toner Cartridges"

Cut my "Toner Replacement Costs" in half, and so far so good for quality output and number of copies. And I have an awesome backup on my Printers and Fax for Service.

Guess I got lucky!!

Sandy

[Ross]

I buy recycled ones off e-bay. Usually three at a time for $40-$45 shipped. I did this for my old HP 1300 and my new HP 1536dnf. Once in awhile I'll get a bad one, but usually only use 2-3 each tax season. At less than $15 shipped, I'm happy with them. Sure beats paying $80 for an OEM HP cartridge at Staples.

[Gary2]

Is there any correlation between increased toner usage and increased paper usage? If the client returns are chewing more paper (e. g. a one page Sch. D is now two or three pages), then that would be a partial explanation.

Another possibility is an increase in 2D bar codes on state returns. Many states use them, and they do increase toner usage because of their density, but I don't know if they're new for any states this year.

[oceanlovin'ea]

Associated Supply

I bought something from Associated Supply years ago. I don't even remember what I bought, but it seemed like I figured out later that I could have gotten it cheaper somewhere else.

They called me and called me and called me. I just stopped answering the phone when it was them. They are persistent people

Linda, EA

[JohnH]

Speaking of office supply sales methods, I had a visit today from a young lady selling Quill Office products door-to- door. I didnt even know Quill was still in business, and cold call sales in todays environment has to be a brutal way to earn a living. She was good - she posed all the right questions to try and lead me into making a commitment before asking for the order. I really hated to turn her down, but I think she has a future in sales once she gets lined up with a product you can make some money with.

[Gretel]

Since years I am only buying recycled toner cartridges for an awesome price and quality, short shipping times, plus they never bug me with phone calls and prices haven't gone up much. Pleasant experience all around plus they put candy in the box. Not that I care much about the candy but it is a very nice gesture. Don't have their name handy but will post if anyone is interested. Will be leaving town soon, so might take a while.

[Black Bart]

Remanufactured cartridges

I came across this outfit last year and they've been good quality/reliable/cheap so far (keeping my fingers crossed 'cause I've been burned before):

SuppliesOutlet.com / 877-822-8659

I have an HP1012 laser printer; cartridges are $16.90 for one or a five-pack for $74.50 which I think is pretty good (our local recycler charges $48 for one and Sam's is $65).

Shipping is extra (mine's usually $5) and increases according to distance from their Memphis warehouse (they'll estimate it for you).

[RitaB]

Woo hoo

Black Bart, don't ever leave us again.

Gas went down about a dime here. Five minute party.

OK, back to the toner dilemma.