The difficulty in finding Original OKI Toners and their high cost

Introduction

In this article, we will discuss the issues related to the availability and prices of original OKI toners, especially for discontinued models. We will analyze how these difficulties negatively impact users and what is behind the increase in costs. In the next article, we will present our innovative solution to overcome the problem, without giving up the "Original".

OKI Catalog Reduction

Last year OKI made the decision to significantly reduce its printer portfolio, going from around 40 models to just 13. The Executive series was discontinued along with the cost-per-copy contracts. This reduction has created several issues for users who own models that are now considered discontinued. Currently, the series on sale include:

• A4 Monochrome Printers : B412, B432, B512
• A4 Color Printers : C650
• A3 Colour Printers : C824, C844
• Color Multifunction : MC853, MC883
• Graphic Arts/SuperA3 Printers : Pro9431, Pro9541, Pro9542, Pro8432WT

The Impact of Reduction

Those who have printers that are “out of stock” have a hard time buying original consumables that have become increasingly difficult to find. Furthermore, a limited Catalogue does not encourage resellers to invest in the OKI brand, in the warehouse, in assistance. This creates a domino effect: not only do consumables become rare, but also assistance and maintenance services can become less accessible.

The Main Problems

Availability of Consumables

As the catalog shrinks, finding original consumables for discontinued models becomes increasingly difficult. For example, if you own an OKI B411 printer, you may find that original toners are no longer available in traditional stores and even online.

Practical Example:

Mario, a small business owner, purchased an OKI MC861 printer a few years ago. Recently, he has noticed that finding original toner for his printer has become a daunting task. Local retailers no longer carry it, and even large platforms like Amazon and eBay have limited or sold out stock. Mario is forced to spend time and resources searching for the consumables he needs to keep his business running.

Sales Network Halved

Around 50% of OKI dealers are switching brands, making it harder to find OKI products, spare parts and trained technicians. This creates an additional obstacle for those who own discontinued printers, and has even happened with the latest models.

Practical Example:

Anna runs a print shop that relies on an OKI C844 printer. Over time, her trusted dealer stopped supporting OKI products, forcing her to look for new suppliers. The search for a new reliable dealer was long and stressful, and in the meantime Anna had to deal with production delays due to a lack of toner.

Cost Increase

The prices of consumables for discontinued printers are kept artificially high to push users to replace their printers. This increase in price makes it unsustainable to maintain older printers.

Practical Example:

Luca, a freelance graphic designer, owns an OKI C9655 printer. He has noticed that the cost of toner for his printer has increased significantly. What was once a regular, affordable purchase is now a significant expense that is eating into his operating budget. Luca is forced to consider purchasing a new printer, even though his current one works perfectly.

Environmental Impact

Forced replacement of printers increases electronic waste (WEEE), with a negative impact on the environment. Changing a perfectly working printer just because you can no longer find toner or because it is too expensive, is a waste.

Practical Example:

Chiara, a small business owner, owns an OKI C822 printer that she uses to print advertising materials. The printer works perfectly, but the difficulty in finding original toners forces her to consider purchasing a new one. This not only increases her operating costs, but also contributes to the increase in electronic waste.

Customer Stress

Waiting for supplies to arrive for a long time can cause stress, anxiety, and frustration, compounded by the fear of missing them. If your printer is down for weeks, the disruption to your work can be significant.

Practical Example:

Giorgio, who runs a legal office, relies on his OKI MB471 printer to produce important documents. When original toners became hard to find, he faced weeks of waiting for supplies to be delivered. This delay caused stress not only for him, but also for his co-workers, negatively impacting office productivity.

Conclusion

The difficulty of obtaining original toner and the cost of it are a significant problem for many customers, especially those who own discontinued models. These issues not only increase operating costs, but can also cause stress and work interruptions.

Don’t miss our next article, where we will present our innovative solution: Tonerepro Original-Universal™ consumables. You will discover how these products can solve all these problems, offering the same quality and reliability at a lower cost. Stay tuned for more details!