No problems found with cheaper printer cartridges

Oct 2, 2011, 3:06 GMT

Berlin - Owners of inkjet printers can save a lot of money by using generic ink cartridges, but they don't necessarily have to accept poorer quality at the same time.

A study by the German consumer protection group Stiftung Warentest found that the printing price per page for ink from other manufacturers could run 30- to 50-per-cent lower than the original company's cartridges.

In extreme cases, users can even save 90 per cent. In a few cases, however, printing can actually be more expensive by not using the original ink cartridges.

Stiftung's test featured three original cartridges compared with three or four models from other manufacturers. Nearly all of the tested units were given 'good' or 'satisfactory' grades, with only one cartridge earning a 'sufficient' value. There was no evidence of bad results from using generic ink cartridges. Even long-term tests did not find defects or malfunctions in the tested printers.

The testers said that using ink from other manufacturers is no reason for the refusal of a warranty. At least in the first six months, the printer's manufacturer must prove that the user caused a defect. If they cannot do so, then the device must either be repaired or taken back.