Re: Used Printers

["Paul M. Livingston" <pml @ tux . org>]

At 06:34 PM 5/28/00 , Albert Williams wrote:

>Hi Gang;
>
>I have been thinking about getting a GOOD Laser printer, but new ones
>are way too expensive, and so I have been thinking about getting a
>second hand one.  Does anyone have any suggestions about what to look
>for to determine the condition of the printer?
>
>al.

Checks:  Print out both a configuration sheet and a demo/font sheet.  Check 
the configuration sheet for exact part number, serial number and number of 
sheets printed (all of this and more are available from both HP and LexMark 
printers and I believe most Cannon and QMS (which use a Cannon 
engine).  Compare the page count with the design life of the printer as 
shown in the user manual (also usually available on manufacturer's web page 
).  Look for mechanical wear on paper handling components.  Examine print 
outs for "streaks" and "drop outs" .  Also look carefully for very fine 
"speckles" (random dots in the background) that maybe an indication of 
belt/drum problem.

Gotchas:  Check for cost of consumables, repair parts and maintenance 
kits.  For some older printers these items have become scarce and/or 
expensive.  There are some on-line sources for these items, but it is nice 
to be able to get things, particularly toner locally.  Popular units (lots 
sold and out in the installed base) generally have multiple sources for 
parts and repairs.  Mid-range HP's tend to be good bets, just because there 
are many thousands sold of most series.  Memory can be expensive and hard 
to find, particularly for older units that used proprietary configurations.

Possible Sources in the DC Metro Area:
a) Terrapin Trader - an outlet for surplus property at the U of Md, just 
off campus in the CP area

b) Computer Warehouse - located on Route 7 just inside the Beltway, near 
Tyson's Corner.  They advertise in the WP Monday Business Section. and 
usually have a selection of reasonably priced used and refurb 
printers.   For the past few months they have had quite a few relatively 
recent HP's and even had a few higher end units like HP4MVs (complete with 
memory and Postscript module)

Buying a used printer is in about the same category as buying a used car, 
you can get very good deals that will serve you well for years and you can 
get some "lemons".  The best way to avoid the later in printers is the same 
as it is for cars, a combination of careful research on models and vendors 
combined with a careful check of the particular printer.  Unfortunately 
there is no Consumers Union report to check for frequency of repair along 
with features and problems.