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Tuesday, June 11th
2024 Printer Ink Store Reviews
123 Inkjets
- OEM, remanufactured, and compatible cartridges available
- Lifetime guarantee on compatible ink/toner cartridges
- Free shipping on orders over $55 in the continental US
- "A+" rated by the BBB
- In business since 1999
123 Inkjets has been around for a long time - since 1999, to be exact. The company offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee, including a lifetime warranty against defects on all compatible ink and toner cartridges, and most orders ship out the same day.
Several ways to save some cash
Provide your email in the pop-up you'll get as you browse the 123 Inkjets site and you'll get a 10% discount on your first purchase. Just be aware that the discount won't apply to any OEM items. We also spotted a discount code at the top of the site, offering 18% off any compatible ink or toner purchase. Finally, if your order is over $55, you'll get free delivery to any address in the lower 48 United States.
More expensive than many competitor stores
Let's take a look at how 123 Inkjets compares with respect to selection and pricing. On our first test item, the Canon Pixma MX922, there were several sets of compatible cartridges. Their 5-pack of high-yield/XL for $28.96 was about $5 more than many rival sites, and single-color cartridges for $5.99 each were about $1 more than other stores' pricing. OEM options were also provided, starting at $53.45 for a 4-color multipack. On our second test item, the HP LaserJet Pro 200 Color M251n, 123 Inkjets was priced at $79.96 for a 4-pack of remanufactured toner cartridges, or single-color cartridges for $26.99 each. OEM options were also available in single-color cartridges, starting at $86.12 for original capacity and $102.95 for high-yield. That pricing was a little less or the same as what we found on other printer ink sites.
Not the way it used to be
Reputation-wise, 123 Inkjets has dropped a lot since our previous review. On the one hand, the Better Business Bureau gives the company an "A+" grade, and there were fewer than a dozen complaints filed with the BBB over the last three years. Elsewhere, this retailer struggled to reach a rating average over 4 stars. There were complaints that the cartridges made customers' printers freeze up, orders arrived with cartridges missing, and customer service was less than friendly or helpful when asked to resolve issues.
Recent reviews show a decline
Even where we found an average higher than four stars, those ratings typically were from 2020 and earlier; recent ratings were almost all negative. That's also reflected in Bizrate Insights Circle of Excellence Awards: 123 Inkjets earned the award in almost every single year from 2010-2020... and then nothing after that.
Not a top brand anymore
We're disappointed that one of the biggest names in online printer ink has fallen so far over the last few years. Even if you feel loyal to the brand, we encourage you to check out the rival retailers that seem to be doing a much better job of providing top-quality print cartridges - especially if it's been a while since you've ordered here. 123 Inkjets might not be delivering the quality you used to expect.
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What's the Best Place to Buy Printer Ink Online?
Do you find yourself running out of printer ink? It always seems to happen at the worst times. While a variety of local stores carry printer ink, They probably don't carry it for all brands of printers - and stocking issues mean they may not have any available at all.
Fortunately, there are numerous online retailers that offer cost-effective toner and ink cartridges that still allow you to maintain high print quality. These retailers cater to both personal and business printing needs. And you can typically save significant money buying your printer ink from these online stores.
Continue reading below
Printer Ink Store FAQ
That's an easy one: do you like to save money? Who doesn't! Buying your printer ink through reputable online retailers will often save you quite a lot over what you'd pay at a local office supply store or even a big-box warehouse retailer.
The selection online is much broader than what you'll find at a brick-and-mortar store. Plus, you'll usually be able to choose among OEM, remanufactured and compatible options. So yes, chances are very good that you'll have no trouble finding the cartridges you need for your specific printer.
OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer, which means that they are the ones made by the company itself (i.e. HP, Lexmark, etc.). Remanufactured cartridges are usually originals that have been refilled and refurbished: brand-new quality at discounted prices. Finally, compatible cartridges are off-brand but designed to work just as well as manufacturer-produced models.
That depends on your printer and which option you choose. Most often, you'll spend less if you buy compatible cartridges and more when buying OEM. Generally speaking, you can expect to save anywhere from 30-70% over the everyday retail price. Many online stores offer promotional discounts to save you even more.
Most online printer ink retailers have a satisfaction guarantee that will refund your money or replace your cartridges if they don't function as expected. You're more likely to encounter that with remanufactured and compatible options.
It's a good idea to check customer reviews when buying printer ink, to see how well others say a particular brand or option has worked under actual use. This is especially true if you're buying compatible cartridges: make sure plenty of other people have had good results and that they work consistently with the name-brand models they're replacing. Checking out a company's listing with the BBB is another smart way to make sure you're buying from a reputable business.
That usually depends on the amount of your order. Many retailers of printer ink will give you free shipping if you spend at least a certain amount (e.g. $50), but there are a few that deliver orders of any size at no extra cost.
In the past, it was common to find services that would refill used cartridges, at a fraction of the price to buy new ones. However, it has become increasingly difficult to locate providers who still offer the service. You may be able to buy ink kits to fill them on your own, but it's much more convenient to get inexpensive cartridges that are ready to use.
Continued from above...
Printer Ink cartridges come in three primary categories: OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer), remanufactured, and compatible. OEM cartridges, produced by brands like Canon or HP, are the priciest option. However, purchasing OEM printer ink from an online retailer can save a considerable amount compared to local stores.
Remanufactured cartridges are refilled OEM products, offering the right fit for printers at a lower price than brand-new ink. Most remanufactured ink and toner retailers that you'll find online offer pre-filled cartridges, but sometimes they'll provide you with a kit and you do the filling yourself (which can get messy).
Compatible printer ink cartridges are made by third-party companies that guarantee the same fit and print quality as OEM cartridges after rigorous testing. These cartridges are often the most cost-effective option, as they don't require a brand-name premium. But, you'll want to make sure that the retailer offers some kind of quality guarantee - since you also run the risk of damaging your printer or voiding the warranty by using products outside of the OEM/remanufactured spectrum. Worth the risk? That's up to you, but many customers have used compatible cartridges for years with zero problems.
Choosing any of these options could lead to savings between 30-70% over the manufacturer's suggested retail price. Many online retailers provide promotional discounts, free shipping on qualifying purchases, and bulk discounts. Ready to save? As you shop for your printer ink online, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- Compatibility. Make sure the ink you're buying is compatible with your printer model. Most printer manufacturers provide specific ink cartridges for each printer model, so check your printer manual or manufacturer's website for the correct ink cartridge model number.
- Quality. Look for high-quality ink that will produce crisp and clear prints. Lower quality ink may result in streaks, smudges, or faded prints.
- Price. Ink can be expensive, so be sure to shop around for the best deal. Some third-party ink cartridges may be cheaper than OEM cartridges, but be aware that they may not always produce the same quality results or be compatible with your printer.
- Capacity. Ink cartridges come in different sizes and capacities. Larger capacity cartridges can be more cost-effective in the long run but may require a larger upfront cost.
- Refillable cartridges. Some printers allow for refillable ink cartridges. This can be a more environmentally-friendly and cost-effective option in the long run, but make sure you follow the instructions carefully to avoid damaging your printer.
- Retailer reputation. Do customers say positive things about the store selling the printer ink you need? How helpful is the store's customer service team if you're not sure if you've got the right toner or your cartridges leak during shipping? Have shoppers reported any problems with their printers after using the store's non-OEM options?
To help you find the right ink and toner cartridges for your printer, Top Consumer Reviews has researched and reviewed today's most popular printer ink retailers. Take advantage of this information to make your printing easy and affordable!
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