Quality replacement 1350w toner / drums ?

[danr_18]

Are there any replacement Konica Minolta toner and drums which are
actually any good? I know for ink jet cartridges, all the reviews on
the non-OEM models are quite awful. I have no idea if the same is true
for toner.

Thanks

 

[Lee]

Are there any replacement Konica Minolta toner and drums which are
actually any good? I know for ink jet cartridges, all the reviews on
the non-OEM models are quite awful. I have no idea if the same is true
for toner.

Thanks

You might get a better response if you say where you are located!
Regards
Lee

 

[danr_18]

USA. I'm expecting most things to be online or chain stores.

 

[Lee]

USA. I'm expecting most things to be online or chain stores.

You might check out:

http://www.image-control.com/home.html

and pose your questions to them. I've dealt with them since they
started in business and know them to be honest to deal with.
Regards
Lee

 

[Arthur Entlich]

Your comment regarding 3rd party inkjet cartridges is a broad
generalization, and is probably more incorrect than correct. The
problem is it really does depend upon what printer brand and model is
involved, and, of course, the company producing the 3rd party inkjet
cartridge.

Many are equal or better than the OEM versions. Some are indeed
horrible, and going into this blindly is just asking for problems. A
number of reputable 3rd party inkjet companies exist, and reading this
and other newsgroups can help to define which are which.

Laser Printer toner cartridges, more often than not, are not made by 3rd
party companies, but refurbished OEM cartridges. The cost of making
these quite complex products just isn't justified to produce from
scratch. Instead all those cartridges that people bring to the retailer
when empty are sold to refurbishers/remanufactuers. Good rebuilders
will dismantle, test and replace all parts that are worn, including the
drum itself, and use a proper and quality toner to replace the
manufacturer's toner. Bad rebuilders don't take the cartridges apart,
don't test, and slap whatever toner they can get away with into the
cartridge, possibly without even emptying the left over toner in it.

The way to find out which is which is sometimes difficult. I suggest
you ask around, as you are, for good rebuilders, and look for companies
that offer written guarantees on their refill toner cartridges.

If you have starter cartridges in your machine needing a refill, they
are often in very good condition because they are often identical to the
longer life versions, and so have a lot of prints left in them (other
than lack of toner), and it may be worthwhile to have a local refiller
handle those for at least one refill, assuming you have a reputable
refiller in your area who knows how to do this, and will supply the
correct toner type.

Lastly, toner formulations are very variable. They vary in the
colorants used, the types of plastics and waxes used, the charge on the
toner particles, the heat range they work best at, and dozen of other
considerations. This is why there are so many types of toner out there.
Even for black toner, there are hundreds if not thousands of
formulations. So, toner type is very important - make sure the toner
offered is appropriate to the printer model you have... it can even ruin
the printer if it is inappropriate.

Art

 

[measekite]

Your comment regarding 3rd party inkjet cartridges is a broad
generalization, and is probably more incorrect than correct.

What he said was right on target. All the reviews from reputable
sources are worse than awful. And to complement those awful reviews are
many postings here about all of the people having all sorts of
problems. This also proves the unprofessional type of disclosures by
the relabelers or lack of appropriate disclosures.

The problem is it really does depend upon what printer brand and model
is involved, and, of course, the company producing the 3rd party
inkjet cartridge.

It makes no difference regarding which model of printer or brand of
printer. The same awful stuff causes the same awful problems.

Many are equal or better than the OEM versions.

Totally false. None are better and none are as good. Even looking at
Wilhelm tests proves how low the quality is.

Some are indeed horrible, and going into this blindly is just asking
for problems. A number of reputable 3rd party inkjet companies exist,
and reading this and other newsgroups can help to define which are which.

The newsgroups are filled with plants and people associated with this
terrible industry. The relabelers who sell the generics will not even
disclose the brand they are relabeleing and reselling. Companies that
do not properly disclose cannot be reputed to be reputable.

Laser Printer toner cartridges, more often than not, are not made by
3rd party companies, but refurbished OEM cartridges. The cost of
making these quite complex products just isn't justified to produce
from scratch. Instead all those cartridges that people bring to the
retailer when empty are sold to refurbishers/remanufactuers. Good
rebuilders will dismantle, test and replace all parts that are worn,
including the drum itself, and use a proper and quality toner to
replace the manufacturer's toner.

The big problem with laser consumables is you will find it difficult to
tell who the good guys are/

Bad rebuilders don't take the cartridges apart, don't test, and slap
whatever toner they can get away with into the cartridge, possibly
without even emptying the left over toner in it.

The way to find out which is which is sometimes difficult.

See above.

I suggest you ask around, as you are, for good rebuilders, and look
for companies that offer written guarantees on their refill toner
cartridges.

Many guarantees on a lot of different products are stupid. Buy
something for $50 and then send it back to China for repair. Wait a
year and maybe spend $100. in long distance calls and another $100.00 in
shipping and then see if the guarantee will be honored.