Your experience with compatible/remanufactured toner cartridges?

[Raven]

I have two printers - a Lexmark monochrome laser printer. I’ve purchased compatible/remanufactured toner cartridges in the past which often have black toner spatter on the page. Not good when you give a report to a design client.

Now I need CMYK toner cartridges for my Lexmark colour printer CS317dn. It's very good and prints clean crisp images. But Lexmark no longer makes this unit. They want $175 US/$249 Cdn for EACH cartridge!!! That’s $1000 for 4!!
I’m wary about buying a compatible/remanufactured cartridge for this unit. What’s your experience been? How to assure to get a quality product from a supplier in Canada?

[jwboyd]

My own experience with refilled/remanufactured ink and toner cartridges has been dismal. Back when I was doing computer sales and service, my clients also discovered that any monetary savings were negated by spoiled copies and the expense of service calls. Reminds me of an old country song which says: "sometimes the pleasure ain't worth the pain." STICK WITH FACTORY NEW!

[Raven]

jwboyd,
Yes, I hear you. I just have a hard time paying $1000 Cdn to get about 2500 copies!
That's 40 cents a page, Or 29 cents US! plus paper.
Seems like a huge bloated price for ink/toner.

[Xairbusdriver]

I have used third-party ink carts for both Eason and Canon printers and black only carts for several different Brother lasers. Only problem I ever has was with the Eason ink jets which had trouble with drying up print heads. I have only ever used third-party inks in the Canon and have never had any problems with it. Likewise, never had problems with any Brothers using third-party toner.

I have absolutely no experience with other printers.

I do not seek the cheapest ink/toner. I do look at ratings of the company, its customer satisfaction and it’s time in business. The price of ink/per gram for most OEM carts is close to the price/gram of gold. Toner prices are not much better.

Printer manufacturers are just following the example of Gillette. They have traded traded razor blades for ink/toner.

[Paddy]

I never use OEM cartridges beyond the first ones that come with a printer. Lots of experience using various third party options. 123ink.ca is my go-to usually - their Moustache cartridges for my Brother printers (laser and inkjet) have been very good.

https://www.123ink.ca/c-18900-cs317dn - a lot cheaper than $1000, but still not "cheap" at $279.99 for the re-manufactured set or $344.99 for the Moustache set. (both get excellent reviews)

Might be time to consider a new printer? Just bought a Brother HL-L3270CDW for the historical society - to do our newsletters. Just tested it tonight - does a great job. $399 at Staples. Moustache high yield set of toner cartridges - $146.99 at 123ink.ca (Brother brand high yield set: $414.99). There *are* even cheaper toner cartridges on Amazon - just not sure I'm willing to try as there are a lot of comments about some of them not being recognized and having to get replacements sent (some of these options get good reviews despite these issues, as the companies sent new toner cartridges, but how much time do I want to spend on potential problems just to save a few dollars??) Might try this one: https://www.amazon.ca/Inkalfa-Compatible-TN227-Toner-Cartridge/dp/B09T3FQCR3/ref=sr_1_3? as it seems to have very good reviews with fewer issues noted.

[jwboyd]

Looks like I may need to concede to those TSers whose third-party experiences are more recent than mine. If you are happy, so am I.

Best regards!

[Raven]

Paddy,
https://www.123ink.ca/c-18900-cs317dn - a lot cheaper than $1000, but still not "cheap" at $279.99 for the re-manufactured set or $344.99 for the Moustache set. (both get excellent reviews)

I ordered 2 of the 4 from them. At only $99 each!  Will give that a try to see how they work. Here's hoping! 

[Raven]

I ordered the Moustache cartridges at $99. No difference in quality from the expensive Lexmark ones.