Hewlett Packard is a printer giant, and like other big brands it charges a lot for its ink. While a basic inkjet printer could be yours for just £100, the cost of supplies will quickly overshadow these initial expenses. The market of refilled and compatible cartridges offers a solution, but not every cheaper product is safe or certified.
One look at the prices is enough to see what is wrong with the “razor and blades” thinking. The full pack of four cartridges for hp 953xl you find here costs around £40, while the printer manufacturer charges £31 for the black pigment alone, and not the XL volume! What allows stores like Smart Ink to offer such savings, and how to choose a website worth trusting?
Why OEM Cartridges Cost So Much
Original equipment manufacturer (OEM) is the most expensive type of cartridges for any printer. Officially, high prices are explained by gigantic R&D expenses. Big brands spend billions of dollars on research annually, but it can hardly justify their policies in the eyes of consumers.
What’s more, this situation is also reminiscent of blades and razors. The equipment can be sold at no profit or even at a loss, but customers spend much more on consumables in the long run. On the upside, HP does not have a monopoly on ink, so let’s consider reasonably priced alternatives:
1. Compatible Cartridges
These supplies are also original, as they come from smaller independent brands. The design is similar, but not identical to OEM products for the same printers. Quality may be just as high, though — reputable companies comply with international standards, such as ISO or Reach.
2. Remanufactured
The recycling of original products gives customers a chance to save money and reduce their impact on the environment. Used OEM cartridges are brought back to life — cleaned, fixed if necessary, refilled and tested before shipping to new owners.
How to Choose a Shop
In the UK, finding compatible or remanufactured products is easy. Yet, the abundance of choice does not mean every shop deserves trust. To identify a reliable provider, pay attention to the following benefits. Strong well-established brands offer them all:
- Certified quality (look for international standards: ISO 9001, ISO 14000, or STMC, etc.)
- Instant recognition (this requires the latest version of the cartridge chip)
- Ink level tracking (in some models)
- 2-year money-back guarantee (covering both manufacturer defects and transportation damage)
- Testing of all products before shipping
- Free shipping
- Focus on sustainability
To Sum up
By switching to refilled or compatible cartridges, you can save 20% or more with every purchase. It is easy to see that these savings will translate into hundreds or thousands of pounds per annum, depending on how often you use your equipment. Why pay more if you can get certified quality at a reasonable price?
