Epson vs. The World

There has been a lot of activity in the world of remanufactured ink cartridges. Epson has filed various patent lawsuits against 24 distributors and retailers including the big names like Staples & NineStar, 123InkJets. Remember the Print-Rite-branded Epson-compatibles?

Manufacturers of after-market Epsons now fall in a different category. Distributors have certain rules they have to follow:
This summarizes the Court Order called a “General Exclusion Order and Cease and Desist Order”. The order does not bar imports or resale of non-infringing cartridges, like non-infringing refilled cartridges. Resellers should be cautious, however, to avoid liability by noting the following legal parameters:

1) Refilling an infringing cartridge, like an infringing aftermarket cartridge, still results in another infringing cartridge.

2) Refilled cartridges that were Epson branded cartridges must have been first sold by Epson to consumers in the United States. A “first sale” exception to patent law allows the resale of refilled patented devices that were first sold in the United States by the patent holder. Cartridges that were first sold by Epson to consumers outside the United States and refilled by a third party still infringe Epson’s patents. Epson officials have observed that some suppliers commingle cartridges first sold by Epson in the United States with cartridges first sold to consumers outside the United States in identical packaging, so resellers cannot reliably avoid liability for patent infringement.

3) The refilling process must be limited to legally permissible repair to restore the cartridge to usable condition, but the cartridges cannot be completely reconstructed. Legally permissible repair includes refilling the ink, resetting the IC chip, removing or covering Epson labels, and repackaging.

4) Refilled cartridges must be prominently described at point of sale and on packaging as “refilled” or “remanufactured.” Any Epson trademarks must be removed so consumers cannot be misled into believing that the cartridges were refilled or approved by Epson.

We understand Epson has rights to their product designs, all 750 of them. But why the hell are they so expensive? This is why manufacturers have created compatibles. Be fair, sell Epson printers at a fair price, not at cost or at a loss, in order for them to gouge consumers on their ink cartridges.

Well, Epson has taken their ink cartridge business back, or a piece of it. We at InkCloners.com sell what the industry now calls “remanufactured” Epson ink cartridges. Our term cloned ink cartridges encompasses remanufactured and compatible or knock-off products.

The Transformation has Taken Place.

Well this is all what you guys have been waiting for. The “new look”.

Well first of all I would like to give credit to the web designer who created the site. Her name is Dorinda Bohnsank. She may be contacted here at Foxglove Website Designs.

Some improvements other than an easier navigation include:

*Tracking Tools*- The ability for any customer, registered or not, to track their packages. Emails are sent to the customer once we get tracking information and they come back to our site and choose the carrier, either FEDEX, USPS, UPS, or DHL, place their tracking number in the fields and can view the progress. We still have 90% of our orders being delivered in 1-3 days!

*Gift Cards*- Ever think about what to get your special someone? And you know they print alot? But don’t know what printer model they have? Sounds corny huh? Well think about giving an InkCloners.com Gift Card. Yes we now have Gift Cards. Amazing at that! The coding of the program was done by none other than Dorinda.

*Affiliate Program*- This is where you can make 10% commission on every sale you refer to us. It’s a new venture for us and managed by Post Affiliate Pro. We found this the most economical and user friendly program.

*SSL Security*- We have a strong 128 / 256 bit single root SSL certificate issued by RapidSSL. What is SSL?
The SSL protocol is the Web standard for encrypting communications between users and SSL (secure sockets layer) e-commerce sites. Data sent via an SSL connection is protected by encryption, a mechanism that prevents eavesdropping and tampering with any transmitted data. SSL provides businesses and consumers with the confidence that private data sent to a Web site, such as credit card numbers, are kept confidential. Web server certificates (also known as secure server certificates or SSL certificates) are required to initialize an SSL session.

*Registered Customers*- Registered customers obtain royal treatment.

They have full acces to their past orders.

They can get coupon discounts.

Tracking is automated.

RMA is automated.

Their shipping and billing information is saved.

Well sign up and see what else!

Now if you see or know what else we can help you with please contact us at info@inkcloners.com.

Thanks for your support.
InkCloners.com Team

InkCloners.com Gets a Facelift!

It was time to create a new website with new looks, greater security, more customer features, better search features, and new colors. COMING SOON!! A New InkCloners.com. Yes we have “cloned” ourselves and have manifested a new breed of InkCloners. GET READY!!

PAYPAL Setup

Our customers have spoken and we are now setup for checkout with PAYPAL. When you “view” your cart, you have an option to use the “Checkout” button or “Paypal Payment” button.
Let us know how we are doing.

Why is our refilling program different?

5 Critical Factors to Consider when choosing InkCloners for refilling cartridges as compared to other refilling cartridges

Critical Factor #1: INSPECTION
Do they test each empty cartridge for visual AND electrical defects prior to refilling?
This is important because each cartridge must be free from electrical and visual defects or it may not work in your printer.

Critical Factor #2: CLEANING
Do they use a variety of cleaning systems (Steaming, centrifuge, flushing with reverse osmosis system, etc.) to ensure every last bit of ink is removed from the cartridge prior to refilling?
This is important because cartridges that are not properly cleaned often have a shorter shelf life and result in higher failure rates.

Critical Factor #3: INKS
Do they use inks that are specially formulated for each type of cartridge?
This is important because if the same type of ink is used to refill all types of cartridges, the print quality is going to be inconsistent. You run a higher risk of having colors that don’t match, and the cartridge may not last as long as it should.

Critical Factor #4: FILLING
Do they have filling machines specifically designed for each type of cartridge – to ensure consistent and accurate filling?
This is important because cartridges must be filled with a precise amount of ink each and every time. If a cartridge has too much ink – it’s more susceptible to leaking. If there isn’t enough ink – the cartridge won’t produce an acceptable page yield. If there is air in the ink, the cartridge won’t print properly.

Critical Factor #5: TESTING
Once your cartridge is filled, do they print a test page to verify the quality?
This is important because this is the only way to verify that the colors match, and to make sure there is no smearing or streaking.

Our Remanufacturing Plant performs all those tests above before sending your cartridge back to you. We want you, the customer, to have a world class product.

Refill My Empties

This is the refilling program everyone has been waiting for. This program allows the customer to mail their empty cartridges to our Remanufacturing Center for professional refilling.

What cartridges can you send in?
You can use the mailers to refill most black and color inkjet cartridges including Canon, Epson, HP, Lexmark, and Xerox.

How does this Refill My Empties Program work?
This program is a way for you to have your inkjet cartridges professional remanufactured instead of using do-it-yourself refill kits. Here’s how it works:

1. You mail us your empty OEM ink cartridge using the InkCloner’s postage-paid mailer.
2. We clean, fill, and test each cartridge at our Remanufacturing Center
3. Each cartridge is returned to you refilled and ready-to-print.

What is the turn around time?
The normal turn around time is 3 to 5 days. That means that your cartridge will be shipped back to you within 5 days from the time we receive the cartridge.

What is the warranty/guarantee?
1. Your cartridge will be processed the same day we receive it and shipped back to you within 3-5 business days.
2. Your cartridge will be professionally cleaned, refilled with fresh photo-quality ink, and tested in an actual printer before it is sent back to you.
3. If your cartridge gets lost or damaged in the mail, we will send you another cartridge free of charge. (Proof of purchase required)
If you are not satisfied with our service or with the quality of your cartridge, we will send you a free Inkwise Mailer good for your next cartridge.

What happens if your cartridge is defective or fails during production?
Here is the warning message we put right on the product packaging.
WARNING: Ink cartridges are not meant to last forever. If you send us a defective or unserviceable cartridge, we will not send your cartridge back to you. Instead, you will receive a
free text-grade replacement cartridge. You will also receive a free $3 rebate on your next mailer.

Now guys you can’t beat this program. Start refilling those hard to find and expensive ink cartridges now.

New Cloned Epson Ink Cartridges

So long, cheap Epson generics! InkCloners.com now offer one of a kind cloned Epson inkjet cartridges. These are so identical to the OEM that we’ll replace your cartridge with an OEM brand cartridge if they are not technically superior to its equivalent product. No company offers such a sweeping promise.

Why risk buying sub-par products? These cartridges are guaranteed to…

…have a lower cost per page than OEM products.

…match OEM color standards perfectly.

…work straight from the box without hassle.

New Hosting

Thank you for all your support. Our business is growing in popularity. We had to, therefore, switch hosting providers to keep up with the demand and traffic. Our files and databases were switched over on Monday, March 19, 2007 to: ixwebhosting

We have experienced downtime for a couple of days until the DNS servers update worldwide.

Yours sincerely,

James and Marie

Great News for Us

According to Lyra Research, the office supply mega-store Staples has dropped all Staples-branded compatible cartridges for Hewlett-Packard (HP) and Epson printers from its retail catalogs; and is expected to remove all Staples branded HP ink and toner cartridges from their retail stores in the early first quarter of 2007. Charles Brewer, managing editor of The Hard Copy Supplies Journal, stated that Staples “must sense there is an upside to dropping its Epson and HP cartridges. Throughout late 2006, rumors were flying that HP had cut a deal with the nation’s largest office superstore to get it to pull its HP compatibles. It now appears that is true.” Brewer attributes the move by Staples to remove all Epson cartridges from their catalogs to a similar settlement reached last month between Epson and “a number of companies that market Epson compatibles” who announced that they would no longer be selling Epson compatible cartridges.Lyra Research believes that “With over 1,500 stores in North America, Staples’ move will affect the sales of tens of millions of dollars worth of ink and toner cartridges. Given the market-leading position of the office superstore giant, the news is significant for printer makers and third-party imaging supplies vendors alike.”

This great news as it takes one of the bigger retailers out of the market for compatible Epson and HP cartridges. Consumers and businesses that have historically purchased the Staples brand compatibles will come to InkCloners.com to find compatible Epson and HP cartridges. Anyway, we do have aggressively priced compatibles. Will Office Depot, OfficeMax and other big office supply retailers follow suit? Time will certainly tell…

InkCloners joins the MRCC

In May, InkCloners joined the Meadowlands Regional Chamber of Commerce MRCC).  It is a leading business service organization that promotes and fosters an economic climate that enhances the ability of member businesses to prosper and flourish focusing on:

• Networking and Relationship Building
• Business Education & Leadership Training
• Legislative and Public Affairs Advocacy
• Destination Marketing & Economic Development
• Delivering Value Added Benefits, Services and Resources

By interacting and partnering with governmental, social, educational, and environmental entities, we enrich the Meadowlands regional economy.

James
InkCloners, LLC