What are the Risks Associated with Counterfeit Toner Cartridges?

No-one likes spending money. Well, that’s not strictly true - most people love spending money, but no-one likes spending more than they have to. How many times have you bought something only to find it for half the price elsewhere? There are few feelings as sinking as the one where you count all the things you could have bought with the extra cash you could have saved.

It’s the reason retailers such as ourselves exist; we offer you big savings on your printing costs with our range of ink and toner cartridges while also offering a print quality comparable to that of the major manufacturers. You save money without necessarily compromising on the product you receive - perfect.

However, the ongoing quest to save a few quid is also the reason unscrupulous sorts and scams exist and why so many consumers end up getting burned by a bargain that turns out to really be too good to be true.

While we at Cartridge World ensure that every cartridge we sell, remanufactured or refill is up to the highest standards (and offer a guarantee to prove it), there are a legion of counterfeiters out in the big bad world who’d love nothing more than to take your money and give you poor quality ink cartridges masquerading as the real deal in return.

What are Counterfeit Toner Cartridges?

Counterfeit cartridges are substandard cartridges - either in their design or the quality of ink or toner used in them - that are made to look like and be sold as OEM cartridges. Generally, they are sold by third party retailers online and retail for a fraction of the cost of an OEM cartridge.

However, unlike a dodgy DVD or a fake bottle of perfume from the market, these counterfeit cartridges can look almost identical to their OEM equivalents, right down to the packaging they come in. Some counterfeits are so good that not even cartridge experts have been able to tell the difference between fake and real cartridges.

Why Should You Be Worried About Counterfeit Cartridges?

So counterfeit cartridges are cheap and readily available - if you’re willing to take a hit on print quality, what’s the problem? There are a quite a few, as it turns out.

That hit on print quality? It’s going to be a lot worse than you think - if the cartridge even prints at all. Streaky prints, splotches, poor colour; all yours if you choose to invest in a counterfeit cartridge. Counterfeit cartridges are also more prone to cause printer damaging accidents, such as ink leakages and damage caused through an ill-fit. This damage will not be covered by your printer warranty.

There are some more wide-ranging issues to consider too, the most prominent being that counterfeit ink and toner cartridges are illegal. It usually isn’t just some bedroom technician benefitting from the rewards of the crime either; the proceeds of counterfeit cartridges could be used to fund crime syndicates or even terrorism.

How Do You Spot A Counterfeit Cartridge?

As we pointed out earlier in the post, counterfeit cartridges are difficult to spot from appearance alone. There are a few subtle signs to keep an eye out for, however:

- Does the cartridge have a hologram or security seal? A great deal of counterfeit cartridges will not feature the same hologram or security seal as their OEM equivalents - or won’t have one at all.

- Is the cartridge packaging or the cartridge itself damaged? Some counterfeit toner and ink cartridges are resold in old packaging. Keep an eye out for subtle damage to the corners of the packaging and to the cartridge itself.

- How much did the cartridge cost? You might have chanced upon a real bargain, but generally OEM print cartridges retail for around the same price everywhere and certainly not at the kind of low prices counterfeits sell for.

- Is the print quality consistently poor? Counterfeit cartridges use low quality printer ink and toner, resulting in poor quality prints.

- Did you buy the cartridge from a reputable retailer? Most counterfeit cartridges come from third party sellers or from online auction sites. Before committing to buy, check the credentials of the seller.

Counterfeit cartridges represent a real problem in the print industry for both manufacturers and consumers. Counterfeit goods are illegal and the savings they offer are rarely worth the hassle they cause in the long run. To be certain you’re getting only high quality cartridges, make sure you buy only from reputable dealers and be wary of anything that seems unusual such as an abnormally low cost.