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If you're searching for the best printer ink store online, you're probably looking for a way to save money, ensure high-quality prints, or avoid the hassle of running out of ink at the worst possible time. With so many retailers to choose from, finding a reliable one can help you get the best deal without sacrificing performance.
Online printer ink stores serve a variety of customers, from students who need to print assignments to small businesses that rely on high-volume printing. Printer ink can be expensive, and choosing the wrong kind can lead to smudged, streaky, or faded documents. A good online ink retailer helps solve these issues by offering affordable prices, fast shipping, and a selection of ink that works well with your printer.
Wednesday, June 18th
ComboInk sells printer supplies, focusing on compatible and remanufactured ink cartridges and toner since 2003. Their Build a Combo feature lets you mix and match cartridges to create custom bundles, with prices that decrease as you add more items. (Worth noting: they share ownership with CompAndSave, TomatoInk, and potentially one other in our review, which explains the similar pricing you'll see across these sites).
Pricing could be better or worse than buying from manufacturer
When you're shopping for printer ink at ComboInk, you'll find quite a range of prices and options. (However, while they have product pages for dozens of printer models, some of these pages turn out to be empty when you click through - so it's faster if you use the search bar.) Their HP cartridges start around $7 for individual colors, though you might notice some OEM (original manufacturer) cartridges like the HP 64 series cost more here than buying direct from HP. They make up for this with competitive prices on some of their remanufactured cartridges - for instance, their remanufactured HP 26 ink cartridge is $9 less than competitors. When it comes to Epson, they offer compatible multi-packs like the T49M 4-pack at market-competitive prices, while Canon fans might appreciate finds like the compatible BCI-3eBK black ink cartridge at just $2.99 (compared to $27.99 for the OEM version).
10-15% off your first order
Despite some higher prices on manufacturer cartridges, you can still find ways to save money with ComboInk. When you first join, you'll get a choice between two welcome offers: either snag a 10% off coupon code right away through their popup, or boost your savings to 15% by signing up for their email list. (It's refreshing when a company lets you choose how much marketing communication you want to receive - and rewards you either way.)
Build your own custom ink bundle and save more
The Build a Combo feature lets you create your own custom ink and toner bundles, giving you more control over your printer supply purchases and helping you save money along the way. Here's how it works: you'll start by searching for your printer model or cartridge number, then pick the cartridges you want to bundle together - and the cool part is that the price per cartridge drops as you add more items to your combo. (For example, that HP black ink cartridge that normally costs $9.99 could drop to $7.99 each when bundled with cyan, magenta, and yellow cartridges.) Once you've built your perfect combo, you can either save it for future orders or add it straight to your cart, making it super convenient to reorder your favorite combinations whenever you need them.
Save on shipping by being an email subscriber
You'll get your ink cartridges in 2-10 business days with their standard Combo Mail shipping, which costs $3.99 for orders under $50. The good news is that shipping becomes free once you spend over $50 (before tax and after any discounts). And, as long as you're an email subscriber, you'll get free shipping on all of your orders. Want your order faster? They offer several express shipping options ranging from Next Day to 3-Day delivery, though rates vary based on the courier. Just keep in mind that orders need to be placed before 2 PM PT on weekdays for same-day processing.
Free returns for 10 days
You'll be glad to know that this company offers a pretty generous return policy that puts customers before profit. If you're not happy with your order within the first 10 days after delivery, you can get a completely free return and full refund when using their standard shipping option. Even better, you have up to 365 days to return defective cartridges for a refund - just make sure you have your order details handy. For non-defective returns within this period, you can choose between store credit with no restocking fee or a refund with a 15% fee. (Try their troubleshooting guide first, though - it apparently resolves 95% of issues.) OEM cartridges have stricter rules - they must be unopened and returned within 15 days of purchase.
Customer service that actually cares about your printer problems
You'll be happy to know that when your printer starts acting up (and we all know they will at some point), this company has your back with solid customer support. They maintain an impressive "A+” Better Business Bureau rating and a 4.6/5 average rating from recent customer reviews. You can reach them through live chat or phone support seven days a week, or send an email that they'll respond to within 1-2 business days. Customers frequently mention prompt delivery, and when issues do pop up, the company provides personalized responses to resolve them quickly. (And yes, they might even hook you up with a discount while they're at it, as one happy customer discovered.)
Our top choice
While you won't find a low price guarantee at ComboInk like their sisters offer (sadly, no price matching here), their unique Build a Combo feature could still make them very much worth your while. We think being able to mix and match cartridges to create custom bundles that get cheaper as you add more items could end up saving you money in the long run. Plus, 15% off and free shipping on every order is really appealing. We're also pretty pleased with their customer service and reputation. For all of these reasons, ComboInk is our top printer ink pick.
TomatoInk advertises itself as an environmentally-conscious company, touting their Green Business Network certification and 20-year history of selling printer ink. But here's the real deal - while they make a big show about being eco-friendly because they sell remanufactured cartridges made from recycled materials, they're actually not doing anything special compared to their sister companies, ComboInk and CompAndSave (or most of their competitors). All three companies sell both remanufactured and OEM cartridges. So while they're wearing green like a fashionable accessory, it's more of a marketing technique to draw in eco-conscious customers than a transformative commitment to being different. Just saying.
Finding the right cartridge is (mostly) straightforward
You can shop for ink by choosing your printer brand from a dropdown menu, then selecting the series and model. If you prefer, you can also just type in your cartridge number directly. Just keep in mind that if your specific printer isn't in their system, you'll hit a 404 error page - which can be a bit frustrating, but this happens on their sister sites too.
Price match safety net
The product selection here is a mixed bag - sometimes you'll find an OEM version of a given cartridge on one site while their sister companies offer the remanufactured version. Price-wise, it's a similar story. Take their Remanufactured Epson 786XL pack for example - it's $48.95 on TomatoInk, just a penny more on CompAndSave, but you can actually find it about $10 cheaper from a competitor. But rest assured if you do find a better price, TomatoInk has a price match guarantee (though it won't apply to clearance items, promotions, or pricing errors). Plus, like their sisters, they offer instant savings right off the bat - you can snag a 10% discount, or bump that up to 15% if you don't mind signing up for their email list.
Free shipping on orders over $35 to $50
If you stay an email subscriber (we've all unsubscribed after a first order), you only need to purchase $35 of printer ink to qualify for free shipping. Otherwise, the threshold is $50, but standard shipping under that amount is still very affordable - just $3.99. When you place an order before 2 PM PT on weekdays, it'll be processed the same day. If you need your ink fast, you've got options for 3-day, 2-day, or next-day express shipping at courier rates. Your standard orders typically arrive in 2-10 business days for mainland US addresses, or 7-14 days for APO/FPO and US territories. Keep in mind that toner cartridges might need additional shipping charges due to their weight. (And yes, if you're wondering about those sister companies - they share these same shipping policies.)
Return policy is reasonable
TomatoInk's return policy is the same one you'll find with their sister companies. You'll get free returns within 10 days of delivery for standard shipping orders in the continental US. If something goes wrong with your cartridges, just contact customer service by phone, live chat, or email to get a return label (takes 1-2 business days), then ship everything back in the original packaging. For defective cartridges, you can get a refund anytime within 365 days, but for non-defective returns, you have two options: store credit with no restocking fee, or a refund minus 15%. (Pro tip: If you're returning OEM cartridges, they must be unopened and returned within 15 days - and if they're defective, you'll need to deal with the manufacturer directly). If you had free shipping and then return the whole order, they'll deduct $4.95, and you're responsible for return shipping costs.
Customer service that cares about you
When you're frantically trying to print those last-minute reports or family photos, you'll be glad to know that TomatoInk has your back with their stellar customer service. They've earned an "A+" rating from the BBB with zero complaints, and their 4.6-star average on third-party platforms speaks volumes. You can reach their friendly team through phone support or live chat on weekdays from 6:30 AM to 3:30 PM PT (with a 24/7 chatbot for midnight printing emergencies), or shoot them a text or email with a typical 1-2 day response time. Long-time customers rave about team members like Arianne and Kenneth, who go above and beyond to help you find the right cartridges and solve any issues quickly (and when your printer is acting up, having someone knowledgeable and patient on the other end of the line is worth its weight in ink).
Earns excellent score
While we're not huge fans of TomatoInk's attempt to seem extra eco-friendly compared to their competitors despite not really being different at all (if you care about the environment, any remanufactured cartridge is a good choice), TomatoInk still ranks very high among their sister brands for a compelling reason: you'll never have to worry about overpaying for your printer ink thanks to their price match guarantee. (Though if you're the type who likes to stock up on different cartridges at once, you might want to check out ComboInk's combo feature instead - just keep in mind you'll be trading that price match protection for the convenience of bundling.)
If you're tired of paying sky-high prices for printer ink (and who isn't?), you'll want to know about CompAndSave. Founded in 2003 in the Bay Area, this online retailer specializes in discounted printer ink and toner. They're part of a family of at least three sister companies including TomatoInk and ComboInk, and their business model is pretty straightforward: buy in bulk directly from manufacturers, sell exclusively online to keep costs down, and pass those savings on to you (though you might wonder why they needed so many separate websites to do it).
Price matching made simple
If you've ever found yourself frantically searching for printer ink deals right before a big presentation, you'll appreciate CompAndSave's straightforward price match guarantee. Here's the deal: if you spot the same cartridge cheaper somewhere else, they'll match that price - just send them a link to prove it. But keep in mind that this doesn't apply to special offers, clearance items, or limited quantity deals. They'll verify the competitor's price and stock availability before matching, and remember - they won't match prices that have already been price-matched elsewhere.
They might not have your printer's ink
When shopping at CompAndSave (or any of its sisters), you might feel like you're playing a game of cartridge roulette - they advertise carrying all major printer ink brands, but finding the specific cartridge for your printer can be hit-or-miss. You may find yourself clicking on the listing for your printer, only to find it empty of printer ink replacement options.
Might not beat competitor pricing before the price match
Here's the scoop on pricing: while you might find better deals elsewhere (like a HP 63 combo pack that other sellers offer for $23.99), CompAndSave's robust satisfaction policies and price match guarantee can make the slightly higher prices worth it. Take their HP 63 combo pack at $32.98 for example - it's significantly cheaper than the $56.99 OEM price, and if you do find it cheaper elsewhere, their price match has you covered. The smart move is to check all three sister brands (CompAndSave, TomatoInk, and ComboInk) before making your purchase.
Free shipping on carts $50+
At CompAndSave, you'll get free standard shipping on orders over $50, or pay just $3.99 for smaller orders. If you're an email subscriber, that free shipping threshold drops to $35 (plus you'll get 15% off your first order). Need your ink in a hurry? They offer various express shipping options, from next-day to 3-day delivery (though prices vary by courier). (And here's a pro tip: orders placed before 2 PM PT on weekdays ship the same day, so time those urgent ink runs carefully.)
"A+” BBB rating and 4.5 stars for customer service
If your printer starts flashing error messages, you'll appreciate CompAndSave's highly-rated customer service team. With a perfect "A+” BBB rating and a 4.5-star average from 28,000 reviews, they've built a solid reputation for handling issues quickly and effectively - CompAndSave has the most reviews out of any of their sister brands. If you do get a defective cartridge (which is rare), their team proactively reaches out to make it right, and they've got detailed troubleshooting guides for common issues like unrecognized cartridges. Since CompAndSave shares customer service resources with TomatoInk and ComboInk, you should be able to expect the same level of support across all three (though why they need three separate brands is anyone's guess).
Free returns within 10 days
If you've ever had that sinking feeling when your printer spits out a streaky test page with your new cartridge, you'll appreciate CompAndSave's flexible return policy. Within the first 10 days of delivery, you get free returns with a full refund (including up to $3.99 in shipping costs) for orders shipped via Standard Mail. Even after that initial window, you've got options up to 365 days from purchase: for defective cartridges, they'll set up a return for a refund, and for non-defective ones, you can choose between store credit (no restocking fee) or a refund minus a 15% restocking fee. Just remember to get a Return Authorization Number first, or they won't be able to help you.
Very high rating
You'll find that CompAndSave shares a very high rating with TomatoInk, as both companies offer price matching to keep costs competitive. What makes CompAndSave slightly different is their amount of customer reviews - they've clearly invested more resources into maintaining their online presence and staying on top of customer service interactions, so they've amassed more than 28,000 of them. All three sister companies are bound to be served by the same customer service team, though, so it's not necessarily something that should make you choose CompAndSave over another of its sisters if you find a better price there.
When you're shopping for printer ink online, you want to know who you're buying from, right? Well, this company makes that a bit tricky. They claim to be established in 2003 in the Bay Area, but their website is otherwise pretty bare-bones. What's more interesting (and maybe a bit concerning) is that they seem to be connected to several other ink retailers in our review - kind of like your favorite restaurant that turns out to be owned by the same people as three others in town (and one of them seems like a front for something else).
No OEM cartridges that we could find
Overstock Ink's catalog focuses on remanufactured and compatible cartridges (no original manufacturer cartridges here), which could be great if you're trying to save money on ink for your home office or small business or make a more eco-friendly choice. Their website is actually easier to use than all of their (probable) sister companies - you can see all the inks for your printer brand with just one click, instead of navigating through endless menus. (Though we have to wonder if this means fewer options overall, or if other sites are trying to make it look like they have more options than they do.)
Get 10% off your first order
When you sign up for Overstock Ink's email list, you'll get a 10% discount on your first order. That's not the best deal you'll find, though - at least one of their sister companies offers a more generous 15% off.
Sometimes cheaper, sometimes pricier than sister companies
When shopping for printer ink, you'll want to compare prices carefully since they can vary quite a bit between retailers. Take the HP 94/95 combo pack, for example - you can get it from Overstock Ink for $18.94, which matches their sister companies' price and saves you about $5 compared to competitors. For Lexmark users running a home office, their 17/27 two-pack is priced at $23.50, just slightly higher than their sister sites' price of $23.02. The Canon 250XL/251XL five-pack pricing is a bit of a head-scratcher though - at $23.75, it's cheaper than most competitors' $30.99 price point, but one of their sister companies offers it for just $14.95.
Free shipping on all orders, but no timeline offered
Unlike their sister companies (TomatoInk, ComboInk, and CompAndSave), Overstock Ink doesn't have a shipping/delivery policy listed, and on top of that, their FAQ page is empty. This means we're left in the dark about important details like processing times, expected delivery dates, and shipping carriers. While they do have a banner proclaiming "Free shipping on all orders within the United States," which is nice - and beats their sister companies who require order minimums or email list signups - the lack of a clear shipping policy makes it hard to know when you'll actually receive your order.
We're not sure if customer support will see your ticket
When you need help with your ink order, you might be in for a bit of a frustrating experience. Unlike their sister companies that give you plenty of ways to reach out, this company only lets you contact them through a basic form on their website - no phone number to call, no email address to write to, and no chat feature to get quick answers.
No Trustpilot or BBB listings
Plus, if you're the type who likes to check out a company's reputation before buying, you'll find that they don't have any Trustpilot reviews to give you that extra peace of mind. Overstock Ink is likely connected to the same Better Business Bureau listing as the other Bay Area printer ink companies established in 2003 that we've identified as their probable sister companies; but given that we only know this through our research (as opposed to them telling us outright on their website who their parent company is), we won't count that in their favor.
365 days for returns
You do get the same generous 365-day return policy as their sister companies, which is reassuring when you're stocking up on ink for the year. However, keep in mind there's a 15% restocking fee for non-defective returns if you want a refund instead of store credit. This could be important if you're buying ink for a printer that might not be around long-term, like for a temporary project or aging office equipment.
Not your best option among its high-rated sister companies
If you're a bargain hunter who doesn't mind taking a slight risk on a less established online merchant, Overstock Ink might save you some money - especially with that free shipping offer. But for most people, we'd recommend sticking with their more established sister companies where you'll have better customer service contact channels and a proven track record. (Sometimes the devil you know is better than the devil who only communicates through contact forms.) However, Overstock Ink still outranks some of the other companies in our review on price and policies.
Founded in 1999, InkCartridges is part of the LD Products family (which includes 4Inkjets) and offers three types of cartridges: OEM (original manufacturer), remanufactured, and compatible options. They operate out of a warehouse in Long Beach, CA, and pride themselves on carefully vetting their vendors to ensure quality products. (Though their website could use some updating - their advertised awards section still shows "image coming soon").
A massive selection of compatible cartridges
You'll find pretty much every major printer ink brand at InkCartridges. Whether you've got an HP printer gathering dust in your home office or a Canon workhorse churning out your small business' invoices, they've got compatible cartridges for just about everything from Apple to Toshiba. (And yes, they even support those ancient Gestetner printers your office refuses to replace.)
Free shipping (but at what cost?)
You'll get free shipping to most of the continental US through either USPS or UPS Ground with InkCartridges - something sister site 4Inkjets doesn't offer. Orders typically arrive in 2-5 business days, and if you order before 2PM PST, your package usually ships the same day. Need it faster? You can upgrade to 2-day shipping, or even contact customer service for overnight options.
Prices are higher here than on sister site
However, when you compare prices across InkCartridges and its sister site, you'll notice some interesting patterns. Take the Epson 252XL Black cartridge - it's $7.99 here compared to $6.99 on 4Inkjets. A set of 9 HP 564XL cartridges? $49.41 versus $43.11. If you're stocking up for a big printing project or running a small business where every dollar counts, these differences add up fast. It becomes apparent that the "free shipping" they advertise isn't really free - you're just paying for it in higher cartridge prices. (We didn't notice a 10%-off pop-up offer here, either.)
Return policy looks great on paper...
Ink Cartridge's return policy includes a "Lifetime 100% Satisfaction Guarantee" on compatible and remanufactured ink cartridges. Within the first year, you can get a replacement or full refund, and after that, they promise store credit. For brand-name (OEM) cartridges, you've got 30 days to report issues, with full refunds available in the first 15 days.
...but don't get too excited
Unfortunately, this generous-sounding policy isn't worth the webpage it's written on. When customers actually try to use these guarantees, they can't get any resolution. Dozens of customer reviews report problems ranging from return labels not being provided to never hearing back from customer service at all - whether they tried to contact them by email or phone. The company even contradicts its own "lifetime" guarantee by citing an 18-24 month shelf life when customers try to make claims. Things aren't any better over on 4Inkjets, either.
Promises of top-tier customer support not kept
InkCartridges is under the same Better Business Bureau listing as 4Inkjets, which means it's also "F”-rated due to unresolved complaints. Across various review platforms, customers report issues including missing shipments, incomplete orders, defective cartridges, the aforementioned nonexistent customer service. That proves the promises they've made on their website about "stellar customer service” false.
The sister sites are almost identical
When it comes down to it, InkCartridges and 4Inkjets are basically the same company with the same products and, unfortunately, the same customer service issues. The main difference? Their pricing structure. While InkCartridges offers free shipping on everything, they make up for it with higher cartridge prices. 4Inkjets has lower cartridge prices but requires a $50 minimum for free shipping. The smart move? Compare your cart total on both sites before checking out. If you're spending less than $50, InkCartridges might be your better bet. For larger orders, 4Inkjets will usually save you more money. And either way, we'd still recommend shipping for printer ink with a higher-rated company before committing to either of these two sister brands.
4Inkjets is one of two companies owned by LD Products - the other being InkCartridges - and they've been helping people save money on ink since 1999. While they sometimes offer better prices than their sister company, there's a catch: you'll need to spend $50 to get free shipping, whereas InkCartridges ships everything for free. (Pro tip: if your order is under $50, it might be worth comparing prices between the two sites to see which gives you the better deal after shipping.)
Basic email discount
You'll probably notice a pop-up asking for your email when you visit 4Inkjets. They'll offer you 10% off in exchange - but don't get too excited. This is pretty much the standard discount you'll find at any online ink retailer.
Wide selection of compatible brands
You'll be glad to know that 4Inkjets works with just about every major printer brand out there - from Apple to Toshiba, and everything in between. Whether you've got an HP at home or a Kyocera in your office, they've likely got ink cartridges that'll work for you. However, you might want to have a backup plan, as we noticed quite a few items marked as backordered or out of stock when we checked.
Pricing strategy reveals an interesting pattern
When we compared prices between 4Inkjets and their sister site InkCartridges, we found some eye-opening differences. For example, an Epson 252XL Black cartridge that costs $6.99 on 4Inkjets goes for $7.99 on InkCartridges. The pattern continues across other products too - we saw price differences ranging from $1 to over $6 more on InkCartridges. It seems they're using these two sites to catch different types of shoppers - those looking for the lowest prices land on 4Inkjets, while those searching for "printer ink free shipping" end up paying more on InkCartridges to cover that "free" shipping cost.
Customer service quality has declined to an "F” grade
In the past, the parent company of these two companies, LD Products, could be proud of having an "A+" Better Business Bureau rating. But ever since our last review, they've been in steady decline - going from a "C" to now an "F" for failure to respond to 3 complaints, and 6 total filed complaints. While their website says you can "expect a quick reply” when you call their customer support number or send them an email, dozens of 1-star reviews reveal that you may not hear back for weeks - if ever.
Lifetime guarantee is just for show
To make matters worse, while 4Inkjets loudly advertises their "Lifetime 100% Satisfaction Guarantee" for compatible and remanufactured cartridges, your actual experience might leave you feeling less than satisfied. They claim they'll replace your cartridge or give you a refund within the first year, and after that, they offer replacements or store credit. Sounds great on paper, right? But when real customers try to use this guarantee, they're met with a wall of silence - think unanswered phone calls, ignored voicemails, and email responses that dodge the real issues. One customer who tried to use the guarantee after having issues with a black ink cartridge found themselves in a nightmare of automated phone systems, unreturned calls, and dismissive email responses citing an 18-24 month shelf life - completely contradicting the whole "lifetime" guarantee.
The bottom line: compare prices between sister sites
When it comes down to choosing between 4Inkjets and InkCartridges, you're essentially picking between lower product prices or free shipping. While both sites offer similar products and equally problematic customer service, your best bet is to fill your cart on both sites and compare the final totals. For orders under $50, InkCartridges' free shipping might save you money, but for larger orders, 4Inkjets' lower prices plus free shipping over $50 could be the better deal. Just don't count on that "lifetime guarantee" from either site - it seems about as reliable as a printer that claims it's not actually out of cyan. We recommend starting out with one of our higher-rated printer ink retailers, then coming to 4Inkjets or InkCartridges only if they don't have what you need.
Since 1999, Ink4Less has been selling printer ink online with a simple online shopping process: pick your printer, get your ink. They carry both OEM and non-OEM ink cartridges. While longevity speaks to their reliability, you might wonder if they've kept up with the times. (And we wondered too.)
Their current status is a bit of a mystery
Ink4Less still maintains an "A+” BBB rating with no complaints (impressive!), but customer feedback is worse than scarce - we found fewer than 10 reviews since 2017. Their social media presence has gone quiet since 2023, though their website still advertises current promotions like seasonal discounts and free shipping on Saturdays. Their blog is active, but all of their posts (down to the printer ink-related images) are clearly AI-generated. (Is anybody home? The lights are on, but...)
Not the best deals around
Our price comparisons revealed consistently higher prices across various cartridge types. For example, their OEM Canon Cartridge 054H Black toner sells for $125.99, while it's available directly from Canon for $108. Similarly, their remanufactured Epson 48 Black ink ($5.99) and Compatible Brother LC31C Cyan cartridge ($4.99) are notably more expensive than one competitor (also in our review) offering the same products for $2.69.
20% restocking fee if the fault was yours
You'll get a solid one-year warranty on remanufactured and compatible cartridges, provided they still contain 60% of their ink. Returns? Yes, within 14-30 days, but prepare your wallet - there's a 20% restocking fee if the ink cartridge wasn't defective, plus you'll pay shipping both ways. (Ouch!)
At a crossroads
With new competitors offering better prices and more customer interaction, Ink4Less seems to be at a turning point. In a market where customer service and staying up-to-date are important, their lack of activity on social media and unclear updates might suggest they're not keeping up with changes. They may be relying on their long history, but without adapting to what customers expect today, their future in the ink business could be uncertain. It's hard to say if they're just slowing down or if they're still managing to stay strong.
Better choices available
If you're looking for a printer ink supplier, Ink4Less's longevity and clean BBB record are points in their favor. However, their limited recent customer feedback, dormant social media presence, and higher prices certainly give us pause. While they're not clearly and obviously a bad choice, you should explore other options first unless you have a specific reason to choose Ink4Less. (Sometimes being around forever isn't enough - just ask the dinosaurs.)
If you're looking for printer ink and toner supplies, you've likely come across 123Inkjets, a veteran in the online printer supply business operating since 1999. While their experience shows in some areas, recent developments suggest this old dog might be struggling to keep up with new tricks.
Pricing that's all over the map
Our price comparisons among ink cartridge models revealed an inconsistent pattern. While you might score a deal on items like the Canon CLI36 Color Compatible Ink Cartridge ($8.99 compared to competitors' $13.99), other products like the HP Q2344A remanufactured cartridge will cost you more ($23.99 versus competitors' $21.99).
Shipping and savings: some silver linings
The free shipping on orders over $55 to the continental US remains a bright spot. However, as we browsed the site, we didn't get the 10% new customer discount pop-up we used to see, and additional promo codes seem to have vanished, too. That's indicative of a company that is failing to meet its bottom line - which means you should keep your wits about your wallet.
Product selection doesn't seem to have changed
One area where 123Inkjets hasn't lost its edge is variety. They carry products for all major brands including HP, Canon, Epson, Brother, and even less common brands like Pitney Bowes and Okidata. Whether you're hunting for an obscure Panasonic cartridge or a common HP refill, chances are they've got it in stock.
Quality concerns are an issue
Printer ink quality issues can make or break your day - especially if you're printing something important like your kid's school project. (You know... the one they were assigned weeks ago, but didn't tell you about until the night before it was due? We've all been there.) The latest feedback from 123Inkjets customers raises some serious concerns that you should know about. Users have reported getting cartridges that print with weird color tints (imagine getting bluish-black instead of true black on your important documents) and even worse, some cartridges have caused printers to malfunction completely. There have also been cases where orders arrived with missing items, which is the last thing you want when you're already running low on ink.
They may try to get you to void your return eligibility
Although their "A+” BBB rating would lead you to believe they're doing okay, 123Inkjets' customer feedback average on other platforms has dropped from 3 stars to 2.5 stars since the last time we reviewed them. We discovered one particularly troubling review by an employee of a nonprofit organization, who reports being pressured to open products they knew were incorrect, which would have made them ineligible for returns. (That's the kind of shady behavior we warned you to be on the lookout for, from a company that isn't meeting its financial quotas.) 123Inkjets also still has not won another Bizrate Insights Circle of Excellence Award since 2020, although they had won it every year in the prior decade.
Not reliable enough to recommend
While 123Inkjets was once a reliable go-to for printer ink, that hasn't been true for a while now. Yes, you might still find the occasional deal here, but the risk of quality issues could cancel out your savings. The current market offers more reliable alternatives with better customer service and more consistent pricing.
InkPlusToner has been selling printer cartridges since 2004, offering OEM, remanufactured, and compatible options. While they were once a trustworthy choice, they seem to have gone silent in the past 5 years or so.
Pricing remains competitive
InkPlusToner's prices show mixed competitiveness in the market. Their Epson T522 compatible ink set is priced higher at $23.95 compared to $18.99 elsewhere, while their remanufactured HP 64XL Black cartridge offers significant savings at $22.95 (versus manufacturer's $52.99 and competitors' $23.95). Their Brother LC401XL compatible set at $34.95 sits between competitor prices of $31.46 and $39.99. (But competitive pricing doesn't mean much if you can't complete your purchase.)
No reviews after 2020
The most troubling sign? No customer reviews after 2020 on any platform. Their previously impressive ratings (4.4 stars on Trustpilot and 4.21 on Reseller Ratings) are now historical artifacts rather than current indicators of performance.
Customer service may have gone dark
While InkPlusToner's website advertises customer service availability Monday through Friday (10A-5P) via phone, email, and contact form, the last few customer reviews left in 2020 were already telling a different story. One long-time customer reported: "Now for some reason their website won't take my debit card for orders, it won't let me send company messages and on my last order I couldn't get an answer to why it was wrong." InkPlusToner's social media presence has also been dormant since 2016, and their BBB rating has dropped from an "A+” to "Not Rated" - not exactly confidence-inspiring.
Strict return policy adds to risk
InkPlusToner's return policy is particularly rigid: no refunds on opened items, and exchanges only for defective products. While they advertise free shipping on orders over $50, there's no shipping information page to provide details about delivery timelines. When there's no customer feedback to verify them, policies and guarantees feel more like a leap of faith than a safety net.
Cannot recommend unless something changes
Despite potentially competitive pricing and a long history in the business, we cannot recommend InkPlusToner at this time. The combination of outdated reviews, customer service concerns, and strict return policies makes shopping here too risky. You'll be better served by retailers with current customer feedback and responsive support teams.
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