print cartridges

4 Types of Toner Cartridges Imaging Dealers Need to Know About

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Before you place your next toner order, let’s make sure you know all the options available to you as an imaging dealer.

In this article, we’ll share the four different types of print cartridges so you can make an educated selection on the best value for you customers and your business

1. Genuine OEM

These print cartridges are made by the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM). They include a brand-new shell, new components and have never been used in a print device before. They only work in the manufacturers printers and tend to cost about 20 – 50% more than the alternatives below. That said, the quality is guaranteed because it’s a brand-new cartridge and most end users perceive more value in a new cartridge vs a “previously enjoyed alternative”.

2. New (LD GOLD Line)  

Just like an OEM print cartridge, the LD GOLD Line is manufactured with 100% brand new components and a brand-new shell. The cartridge has never been used before, and it comes with the same or better yield and quality than most OEM cartridges according to Buyers Lab test results. Unlike the OEM print cartridge, the LD GOLD Line serves multiple product lines and comes with the industry’s best performance guarantee. The LD GOLD Line series of premium quality print cartridges was made for dealers looking to offer a brand-new cartridge with much bigger profit margins than an OEM product.

3. Remanufactured (Used)

A remanufactured cartridge is a print cartridge that has been used at least one time before being disassembled and put back together for resale. Not unlike a used car, there are components that have wear and tear because not all components are replaced. Depending on the remanufacturing process, the batch, and the individual manually taking the cartridge apart and putting it back together, the quality of a remanufactured cartridge can vary greatly.

Most remanufactured cartridges are sold under agreements that don’t stipulate the type or quality of cartridge included. Remanufactured cartridges cost less than OEM cartridges but come with a reputation of lower yields, quality fluctuations and replacement issues.

Dealers looking to maximize profits not achievable with an OEM cartridge often select the LD GOLD Line cartridge because it offers the performance of an OEM cartridge at a lower cost, allowing the dealer to maintain healthy margins.

4. Drill and Fill

Just like the name says, this is perhaps the most primitive way to extend the life of a print cartridge. Unlike the remanufacturing process that requires the cartridge be broken in half (to access the internal components), the drill and fill process means that someone is drilling a hole in the side of the cartridge and then pouring toner particles back into the cavity before closing the hole.

Drill and fill print cartridges tend to be lower cost but come with the warning flags of poor yields, less than satisfactory quality, and upset customers. By reputation alone, most drill and fill operations have gone out of business or work with select resellers targeting highly price sensitive, one-time customers.

Summary

Smart imaging dealers know the difference between these print cartridge options. They also know their customers’ expectations and the cost of losing a customer over a toner issue. Depending on your business goals, hopefully this article helps you select the best toner cartridge for your business!

20 Million Reasons Imaging Dealers Select LD GOLD Line Toner

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Thanks to hundreds of imaging dealers who prioritize value driven toner solutions for their end users, we’re proud to announce that we’ve already exceeded $20,000,000 in sales of LD’s exclusive GOLD Line series of toner cartridges.

Rather than list off 20 million reasons why dealers have moved their traditional spend on OEM or remanufactured cartridges to our GOLD Line series, here’s some actual comments on why dealers like you have made the switch.

“LD GOLD Line cartridges provide differentiation in a commoditized toner market.”

Buying toner can often be confusing for an end user. But ask someone if they would prefer a BRAND NEW cartridge vs. a used / remanufactured cartridge and their answer will be pretty predictable – they prefer new.

As you may know, the LD GOLD Line series of toner cartridges are manufactured using a brand-new shell with 100% brand-new top-quality components inside. The result is better quality, longer yields and repeat customers.

Need a reason for more customers to select you? Maybe it’s time to consider our award-winning LD GOLD Line series!

“I can offer a 100% NEW cartridge at remanufactured margins.”

Whether you sell toner on a transactional or contractual basis (a.k.a. Managed Print Services), you know customers don’t always want to pay the premium for an OEM cartridge and at the same time, they don’t want to deal with the common issues associated with remanufactured cartridges like lower yields, print quality fluctuations and of course leakage requiring service on a printer.

Offering a cartridge that’s 100% NEW gives customers an OEM quality cartridge at a lower cost while still protecting your margins over remanufactured alternatives.

“The GOLD Line performance is better than OEM.”

According to Buyers Lab testing, LD GOLD Line cartridges outperformed leading OEM cartridges in yield, print quality resolution and overall value. Don’t take our word for it, you know Buyers Lab does their homework. Ask us for your copy of the official report comparing a popular LD GOLD Line cartridge to a leading OEM cartridge. 

“Your return policy is the EASIEST by far.”

Dealers tell us they simply don’t have the time or manpower to chase down suppliers for replacement cartridges or credits for faulty ones. That’s why we keep it simple. If you’re not happy with our cartridge, just tell us and we’ll ship you another one no questions asked. No paperwork, no red tape, no hassles. We’re that confident in every cartridge we make.

“The LD Gold Line packaging looks like a quality product.”

If you judge a book by it’s cover, maybe your customers are judging your print cartridges by the packaging as well. There’s a reason we spent the time to create impactful packaging; so your customer’s experience starts long before they put the cartridge in their printer.

Although it may not be a priority for all dealers, so many tell us the professional, clean, and impactful packaging helps them distinguish their offering from inferior alternatives.

“My LD sales rep isn’t a rookie.”

You need more than pricing and availability from your vendors to win in today’s hypercompetitive market. You can also tell when your sales rep understands your business, your market, and the industry. That’s why we’ve carefully selected proven industry veterans to help you identify and seize new profit opportunities based on years of experience helping dealers grow their top and bottom line.

If you’re an LD Channel Partner customer, we thank you for helping us break $20,000,000 in sales so quickly. If not, maybe these dealer comments will inspire you to rethink your toner strategy moving forward.