Storage Units: What to Know Before Storing Your Belongings

If you're looking for a new printer, you may be considering whether you should buy a new one or one that has been refurbished. A refurbished printer is one that has been used for a few years, then returned to as close to a new state as possible, either by the manufacturer or by a third party company. A printer that is properly refurbished should be very close to new condition.

Cleaning

When a printer is refurbished, it is first disassembled and thoroughly cleaned. Exterior parts are surface cleaned and the interior is cleaned with compressed air. The mechanics of the printer are inspected, with particular emphasis on the paper path components, since paper jams are one of the most frequent causes of frustration for printer users.

Replacing Components

A refurbished printer should have had any worn or broken components replaced with new. Parts that tend to wear, such as rollers, should be replaced. It should also have the ink or toner residue cleaned out of it.

Electronics

The electronics of the printer should be cleaned and inspected, and replaced if necessary. In some cases, electronics or firmware may need to be updated.

New or Refurbished?

If you're trying to decide if you want a new printer or a refurbished one, be sure to take into account the cost of the ink. This is where the cost difference can really be dramatic. Refurbished printers will often use ink that is less expensive, or that is available in a generic brand. Make sure that your refurbished printer comes with ink or toner.

Consider the warranty as well. A new printer will often come with a one-year warranty, while a refurbished one may only have a 90 day warranty. Keep in mind that if you use your printer regularly and perform regular maintenance on it, it should perform well throughout its useful life. If anything is going to go wrong with a refurbished printer, it will probably be apparent in the first 90 days.   

Most refurbished printers are one to three years old. You may be able to check the age of your printer by entering the serial number on the manufacturer's website. Some manufacturers print it on the serial number tag. But the amount of printing you do is more indicative of how long your printer will last. Generally, an inkjet printer that gets average use will last about three years, and a laser printer will last about five years.

If you do not do a lot of high-volume printing, buying a refurbished printer often means that you can get a higher-end printer for your money. For example, you may be able to purchase a refurbished laser printer instead of a new ink jet or all-in-one. 

Taking these factors into account will help you make the best decision for your printer purchase. To learn more about refurbished printers, visit Midwest Laser Specialists Inc.