Thursday, February 11, 2010

Find the link to cheap ink

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Save up to 80 percent on printer cartridges by shopping online. Many Web sites sell replacement cartridges, which work just as well as the brand names but at a fraction of the cost. Make sure you know your printer model so you can find a compatible cartridge.

Check out the savings at sites like www.123inkjets.com, www.abcco.net, www.inksell.com, www.pacificink.com, and www.printpal.com. Compare shop, making sure to factor in shipping and handling. Some companies even offer free shipping. You’ll never pay top dollar again. Many merchants make buying from them a no-risk offer – satisfaction guaranteed or your money back.



All the best,



Timben

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Reduce printing costs with refill kits

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Paper may come from trees, but printer cartridges sure don’t grow on them. Luckily, there’s a money-saving alternative to buying cartridge after expensive cartridge. Refill your cartridge – and your wallet – with an ink refill kit.

The idea behind ink refill is simple. Instead of tossing your empty cartridge, you recycle it. Just refill it with some new ink, and it’s as good as new. You should be able to refill the same cartridge at least 3 to 5 times, and maybe even as many as 8 to 10 times. It depends on the condition of the cartridge and printhead. Make sure to refill your empty cartridge right away. Otherwise, the remaining ink may dry and clog the nozzle.

Follow all refilling instructions carefully. One big drawback of refilling your printer cartridges yourself is the potential for messiness. One product, called Inke Inkjet Auto Refill System, makes the refilling process easier and less messy because you never come in direct contact with the ink. Just put the cartridge in one slot and a tank of ink in the other and push a button. Inke only works with certain print cartridges. For more information, go to www.inkejet.com.

Not all refill kits are created equal. Watch out for shoddy knock-offs. In general, refill kits work better for text and basic graphics than for photos. But it’s possible to find high-quality refill ink.

Because certain manufacturers rig their cartridges so they can’t be refilled, you might have to buy compatible cartridges. Often, the same companies that sell refill kits also sell these bargain cartridges. Make sure you know the exact model of your printer. You’ll need this information to buy the right ink or compatible cartridges.

Some online sources for ink refill kits include www.atlanticinkjet.com, www.inkusa.com, and www.inkjetcartridge.com. Atlantic Inkjet promises savings of up to 75 percent on their compatible inkjet cartridges, while InkjetCartridge.com features a free support line you can call if you’re having trouble using its ink refill kit.



All the best,



Timben

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Uncover hidden printer expenses

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When is the cheapest printer not really the cheapest printer? More often than you think. Here are some of the hidden costs to watch out for when shopping for a printer.

* Ink or toner. This is where the printer companies get you. They can sell the printer dirt cheap, but make their money back – and more – by charging a lot for this essential item. Consider these expenses when comparing printer costs. Some laser printers, like those made by Samsung, come with a toner-saver button. This feature increases toner capacity 40 percent by using the minimum amount of toner to print each page.

* Paper. The price of plain paper will be the same no matter what printer you buy. But don’t forget about photo paper, transparencies, and other special paper that might vary from printer to printer.

* Repairs and service. A cheap printer might require more repairs, which can offset any savings you pocketed. Also keep in mind any regular maintenance you’ll need to do, such as replacing an imaging drum in a laser printer.

You’ll also want to take into account resolution and speed. A cheap printer isn’t much of a bargain if it produces blurry pages or takes too long to do its job.



All the best,



Timben

Monday, February 8, 2010

Easy way to dig up rebates

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There’s nothing better than getting money back after you buy something pricey, like a computer. Go to your favorite search engine, like Google, and enter the brand name of the computer you’re eyeing and the word “rebate”. You’ll get links to Web sites that offer rebate information you can print or download.



All the best,



Timben

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Save up to 80 percent off retail

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You’ve heard the expression “good as new.” Buy a refurbished computer, and you’ll get one that may be even better. Not only do you get a quality computer with as much power as you need, you can also save a lot of money.

Refurbished computers come in all shapes and sizes. While the computer might have been returned because of slight defect, often it’s something much less serious. Maybe it had a cosmetic blemish or perhaps the previous owner simply opened the box before deciding he didn’t want it. Demonstration models and overstocked items have also be considered refurbished. No matter what the problem, the computer has been fixed and cleaned up for resale.

When buying refurbished items, you need to take some precautions. Make sure you still get a warranty and access to technical support in case something goes wrong. Also make sure you know what’s included – you don’t want to find out later that your computer doesn’t come with a monitor or an operating system.

You also want to buy from trusted sources. Your best bet is to buy directly from manufacturers, like Dell, that stand behind their refurbished merchandise. Go to www.dell.com to buy from its factory outlet. You can also buy refurbished Dell computers from www.dfsdirectsales.com. Other sites that offer refurbished computers include www.refurbdepot.com, www.cdw.com, and www.outletcomputer.com.

Keep in mind that with refurbished machines you can’t configure your own system like you can when you shop for a new computer. But, if you shop around, you should be able to find a computer that suits your needs.



All the best,



Timben

Saturday, February 6, 2010

Escape the name-brand trap

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Instead of buying a high-priced computer from one of the top brand names, consider clones. You can save lots of money without giving up quality. Think of clones or white box PCs, as generic versions of name-brand models. They’re basically the same, without the fancy label.

Often, you can configure your own system, choosing from a wide selection of components. This is probably best for when you want an unusual configuration with specific parts.

While clones can cost considerably less, they do come with some concerns and drawbacks. For instance, they may not come with as much software or technical support as the major brands. Having to buy an operating system and software could offset any savings on the machine. Make sure you’ll be able to return the system if there are problems.

Look for white box PCs in local computer shops. This makes it convenient when you need repairs or upgrades. You can also go through online dealers. Either way, checks out the company first. You don’t want a fly-by-night outfit that can go out of business at any time.



All the best,



Timben

Downgrading saves you money

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You wouldn’t buy the latest, greatest food processor to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Similarly, you don’t need to buy a state-of-the-art computer if you’re only going to use it for basic functions, like word processing, surfing the Internet, and sending e-mail.

Luckily, many stores or manufacturers let you configure your own system. It’s a good way to save money on some areas and improve your computer in others. You can opt for a slower processor, smaller hard drive, and less memory than the top-of-the-line models. As long as the computer meets your needs, it’s OK to downgrade.



All the best,



Timben

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Sell online without a computer

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You no longer need a computer to sell items on eBay. Now, a company called AuctionDrop will do it for you and even pack and ship it to the buyer.

Call them toll-free at 866-376-7486 or fill out a form online at www.auctiondrop.com. Then drop off your item at one of the company’s 3,700 drop-off locations. AuctionDrop photographs your item, puts it on eBay, and ships it to the buyer. They tell you when it sells, collect their commission, and send a check to you for the rest.

It’s always a good idea to read the fine print before you jumping in. Every auction house charges a commission, but you’ll pay a premium for this service. AuctionDrop keeps 38 percent of the first $200 you make from the sale, 30 percent of the next $300, and 20 percent of anything over $500, plus a small commission they pay to eBay. In some cases, they may charge a flat fee. You would pay a much smaller commission – and keep more of your own money – if you sell your goods yourself on eBay.



All the best,



Timben

Monday, February 1, 2010

Protect yourself while bidding online

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The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) hears lots of complaints about online auctions every year. Most involve sellers who fail to ship items, ship them late, or falsely advertise their wares, while some deal with fake electronic payment services and con men posing as legitimate dealers.

You don’t have to be a victim. Follow this advice from the FTC.

* Read the auction site’s Terms of Service agreement to see if they offer money-back guarantees, free insurance, complaint handling, and other protections for buyers.

* Get more info. E-mail or call the seller and ask if the item comes with any warranties or service agreements, what types of payment they accept, who pays for shipping and how much it will it cost, and what their return policy is. Don’t bid until you get answers.

* Check out the seller. Many sites have feedback ratings where people who bought items from a seller rate their service. Use these as guidelines, but don’t depend on them exclusively. Get a seller’s phone number, and call it to make sure it works before you send them money.

* Pay with a credit card if possible. It protects you the most from fraudulent dealers and incorrect transactions. If the seller does not accept credit cards, consider paying through a reputable payment or escrow service, like PayPal.

* Protect your identity. Thoroughly research the seller and payment or escrow service, if you are using one, before you give out your bank account, credit card, or Social Security number. Call the Better Business Bureau and state attorney general both where you live and where the seller and payment service are located and ask if they have complaints filed against them.

Should you have problems with a purchase, try to work it out directly with the seller, payment service, or auction Web site. If you can’t get satisfaction, file a complaint with your state’s attorney general, consumer protection agency, and Better Business Bureau, and call the Federal Trade Commission toll free at 877-382-4357.



All the best,



Timben