CTS - 2006 :: Cartridge Expert promises 50% savings and bumper profits

Like a lot of HEXUS readers, we buy our replacement inkjet cartridges over the net and opt for low-cost, third-party alternatives, rather than expensive originals. But, from time to time, we do end up getting caught short and have to buy in store, and it hurts. But a huge number of people still buy from shops all the time - and that's why Cartridge Expert came up with a refill system that cuts the cost for consumers and allows store owners to make a whacking profit with a clearer conscience.

Inkjet printers are stupidly cheap, for one reason only - their makers draw their profit from the inflated prices of replacment cartridges. Indeed, it's not  unusual to see deals where the printer costs much the same as a set of cartridges. Is this a scam? We'll let you decide but it is no coincidence that printer makers have followed the lead set long ago by the makers of razors and razor blades and which also acted as a model that's been followed by the makers of consumer electronics hardware, including Sony and JVC, who bought their way into the movie and music businesses.

Cartridge Expert's Recharger system consists of "easy-to-use" refiller modules each dedicated to particular ranges of cartridges from a particular  big-name maker. The main lines are HP and Lexmark but some Dell models are also included and we'd expect that range to grown as the US-based PC giant further expands its printer sales. Epson is not included and nor is Canon, replacements for Canon already being available ready-packed for extremely keen prices - sometimes under £1.

Company director Max Lehrain says it can advise stores about the best mix of modules to buy - and the modules are sold, not leased or rented - so they can get the maximum return from the smallest number of modules. As you can imagine, downtime could be a big problem but Max reckons that a swap out takes less than a minute for the shop-owner to carry out and the modules are exchanged via courier.

So what exactly is in it for the shop owner and the consumer? According to Max, the companies operating rechargers earn an average 80 per cent return on sales - £8 net profit for every £10 of sales - and have to carry less stock. He also claims that customers often tend to buy additional products while they're browsing in store waiting the short time it takes for cartridges to be topped up.

For customers, the savings are reckoned to be around 50 per cent compared with the cost of printer makers' own brands. Max also says that they avoid the uncertainty and delay that can happen with internet sales and mail order and claims that there is a perception of quality because what's being filled is a fresh, empty cartridge.

As you can see from the pic below, the Recharger doesn't need to take up a lot of space in store (bigger groupings are also available, too, of course). Mr L  also reckons that the system requires little skill to use and is very safe - needing only a standard 13 amp electric supply, using inks that are water-based and involving no high-air-pressure systems.





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