One of the questions I get a lot, particularly from high volume users who go through a lot of toner, is whether or not it’s safe to switch to cheap toner that’s not made by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM).
Before I answer that question, let me first say it all depends on what you mean by “cheap.” There are some compatible toners out there that can be purchased for less than the OEM brand of toner which are nearly as good, and others that will wreak havoc on your machines.
We carry a full selection of compatible toner which is perfectly safe to use, and we’re so sure of the quality that we can give you our personal guarantee. Our policy is to cover any damage caused by compatible toner purchased from us — and we have never once had to honor that policy.
However, I get the feeling when people ask about cheap toner they’re not asking about quality compatible toners. I believe they’re referring to the stuff that’s sold at bargain basement prices. The old saying applies here, if it seems too good to be true it usually is.
What’s Wrong With Cheap Toner?
The problem with cheap toner isn’t just that you’ll end up with inferior quality prints and copies — cheap toner can ruin your entire machine.
Cheap toner makes the inside of your machine dirty, causing the drum and rollers to wear out before they’re supposed to, which will then require more frequent maintenance.
Over time your machine will be contaminated from all the buildup created by the cheap toner, and in some cases you’ll even have to replace the drum and developer. Developer mixes with toner to make a copy on the drum, so when the developer is contaminated you will have to replace quite a few parts.
How To Identify Good Quality Toner
So, back to that compatible toner I mentioned earlier. How do you know when you’re getting a good quality compatible brand, versus a cheap brand that will ruin your machine?
Well I’ve been in this business for 25 years, and let me tell you it’s not easy to tell the difference. Some compatible types are good, but most are not. There are far more poor quality brands out there than there are good ones.
There’s no checklist I can give you to pick out good toner from bad toner, for the most part you have to do your own testing. At Dean Office Solutions we have done the due diligence to find the highest quality compatible toners on the market, which have been personally tested and come with our guarantee.
The world of cheap toner is like the wild west, so why not stick with someone you know and trust? Unless you’re involved in the business to the level that I am, you have no way of knowing which compatible brands are good and which are not good.
If possible, it’s always best to buy the OEM brand of toner, but if you’re looking for a more affordable alternative look no further than Dean Office Solutions.