# Printer Ink Cartridges-Used or New?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/printer-ink-cartridges-used-or-new/340555>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [January 18, 2006, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/printer-ink-cartridges-used-or-new/340555 "2006-01-18T20:59:16Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Jake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@Jake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jake)\
**Post date:** [January 18, 2006, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/printer-ink-cartridges-used-or-new/340555/1 "2006-01-18T20:59:16Z")

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I need a new printer cartridge for my HP 842c. Color. Should I buy a rebuilt or new? If rebuilt, who should I buy from? Recommendations please?

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**Author:** ![Mindfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mindfield/32/19759_2.png) [@Mindfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mindfield)\
**Post date:** [January 18, 2006, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/printer-ink-cartridges-used-or-new/340555/2 "2006-01-18T21:05:58Z")

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I’m very picky about ink. I’ve tried a few refills/OEMs and the results have never been satisfactory – either the ink is too thin or the colours aren’t quite right. That’s not to say there isn’t such a thing as a _good_ OEM or refilled ink kit, just that I’ve had fairly unimpressive results with the ones I’ve tried.

I try and buy new whenever possible, and I usually get them from someone on eBay.

When doing so it’s always important to make sure the seller lists the expiry dates of the ink. Though “Expired” ink is probably still good, it _can_ dry out; I used one expired cartridge that was about six months past due and the yellow ran out within a couple dozen prints. I’ve since bought only ink cartridges that are new and still have enough time before the expiry date that I’m at least likely to use most of them up if not all.

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**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\
**Post date:** [January 18, 2006, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/printer-ink-cartridges-used-or-new/340555/3 "2006-01-18T21:18:48Z")

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A couple of years ago _Consumer Reports_ tested a lot of refills and private labels and concluded pretty much what **Mindfield** said. It was possible to get a decent one, but the slightly lower price didn’t make the search worthwhile.

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**Author:** ![Gozu\_Tashoya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7993a0/32.png) [@Gozu\_Tashoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gozu_Tashoya)\
**Post date:** [January 18, 2006, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/printer-ink-cartridges-used-or-new/340555/4 "2006-01-18T23:59:39Z")

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I know this thread’s in GQ rather than IMHO, but since the OP asked for recommendations…

[Swiftink.com](http://Swiftink.com) reviews quite well (they’re listed on [resellerratings.com](http://resellerratings.com), and customer reviews can be found on techy sites like Anandtech and fatwallet), with people generally agreeing that their inks are as good as OEM inks. (YMMV.)

[Mediastreet.com](http://Mediastreet.com) also has a good reputation, and they say that their archival-quality inks also rival their OEM counterparts. Most (if not all) of their inks are pigment-based and should therefore last longer than dye-based inks without fading or changing colors. [Here’s a review from what looks to be an objective source.](http://www.digicamera.com/features/usingpigmentinksindyebasedprinters/)

I’ve used mediastreet’s ink before and it looked great even on printouts on my digital and scanned photos. But then, I’m by no means an expert when it comes to judging the quality of these things.