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So, you are ready to start remanufacturing inkjet cartridges, and you think to yourself, maybe I will have a go at laser toner
cartridges too. Here is our simple advice--DON'T!
- Big Profits and Big Problems. The
profit margin on toner cartridges is generally greater than it is on inkjet cartridges. This is partly because the unit price is much higher, but also because the market is still very much business
driven. There are many companies with laser printers but few private individuals. Companies are not likely to walk into your shop: you are going to have to go and find them!
- Variety is the Spice of Life. You
think there are a lot of ink jet cartridges? Wait until you try to get your head around toner cartridges! You can guarantee that, which ever toner cartridges you learn to remanufacture, the first
customer will want a different one.
- Brand Isn't Everything. Although
it is possible to swap between manufacturers in a limited range of inkjet printers (Lexmark can swap with Kodak and Brother), the possibilities for swapping cores in the toner market is much more complex and
subtle. A lot of research is required.
We are not trying to stop you working with toners: we would just like to advise you on the best approach:
- Find Your Market: Get out
there and find a company that will buy from you. There is no point holding expensive stock of toner cartridges without a customer.
- Identify Their Need: Find out
which printers they are using and the number of cartridges per month they require. Offer to quote them.
- Source The Toners: There are
plenty of extremely reliable remanufacturers of toner cartridges out there. Get a quote from them for supply for the customer.
- Don't Get Greedy: Check out
the comparable cost for the toner cartridge in office supply catalogues and websites. Remember the company may well get volume discounts if their usage is high. Decide on your margin, and prepare the
quote.
- Now Start Learning: You have a
customer, you know the demand. This is the time to start learning how to remanufacture a product you know you have a market for!
- Supply Your Own Product: Once
you are confident in the remanufacture techniques for the customer's requirements, you can supply your own product--at an improved margin.
- Keep Your Supplier Sweet: When
your next customer comes along, you can use the same approach. But remember, the investment in learning a new toner cartridge is high. if demand is not great, just keep buying in.
We remanufacture a number of toner cartridges ourselves. But for one off customers, we buy in. The investment in toner and
cores is difficult to justify for an order that comes in once every three months. We are happy to advise customers on reliable remanufacturers from whom to source toner cartridges.
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