Lexmark
Fares Poorly in Warranty Rankings
In the first nine months of 2004, Lexmark International’s
warranty claims made up 8.3 percent of total product sales raising a red
flag on the quality of its products. The company is on target to once
again fare poorly in full year rankings. For the full year 2003, Lexmark’s
warranty claims made up nearly 10 percent of its product sales, pushing
the company to the top of the list of the “Top 25 Warranty Spenders”
listed in Warranty Week. By comparison, Dell, Gateway, Hewlett-Packard
and IBM warranty claim rates as a percent of sales were between 2 percent
to 4 percent both in the first nine months of 2004 and for full year 2003.
Remember our e-blast of their printers that were recalled by the CPSC?
For more information, visit www.warrantyweek.com.
PC
World Readers Rate Printer Manufacturers
More than 42,000 readers of PC World were surveyed to find out
their thoughts on service and reliability for computers, printers, cameras
and more. And according to the responses in the printer category, “Canon
got glowing marks in the reliability measure, whereas Lexmark got disappointing
scores almost across the board.” The results of the survey were
published in the January issue of PC World magazine. (www.pcworld.com)
61.5 Percent
Use Remanufactured
The online version of Waste News recently polled its readers
regarding remanufactured printer cartridges. When asked, “Do you
use remanufactured printer cartridges at the office or at home,”
61.5 percent of respondents replied yes! That is almost a two-to-one majority!
The poll was taken December 6, 2004. For information, visit www.wastenews.com.
Inside Imaging Spectrum’s Pages
Compete with
the OEMs Using Print Management as a Sales Tool
Help your clients realize huge savings and improve operating efficiency
by selling the benefits of print management. In the January issue of Imaging
Spectrum magazine, Multi-Laser’s Norm McConkey details how
monitoring an entire printer fleet can pay off for your company in the
long run.
Upcoming Events
Education
Shines in Miami
The Int’l ITC 2005 Conference is packed with education
and training courses taught by industry leaders to help improve your business.
Cost per page, print fleet management and the SOHO market are just a few
of the hot topics that will be addressed during this three-day industry
education bonanza. Registration is still open and a few booth spaces remain
available. Technical and training sessions have been expanded to run all
three days of the conference—so you can attend a full schedule of
classes and still spend plenty of time on the exhibit floor. The conference
will be held at the Fontainebleau Hilton Resort, May 4-6, in sunny Miami
Beach, Fla. To register, contact Karen Helfgott at karen@i-itc.org.
STMC, Cost
Per Page and Core Collection Strategies Highlight January Meetings
Learn how to keep your costs down and profit margins up by maintaining
a steady flow of empties. Ted Polk of Capitol Imaging Group offers ideas
and methods to manage cartridge return programs at the Mid Atlantic Chapter
meeting. Other January meetings, Ohio Chapter and ITC Canada, will cover
the STMC certification process and strategies to gain new business and
OEM market share. To view full agendas or to register for one of the following
meetings, visit www.i-itc.org/chapteragenda.htm
Ohio Chapter
Meeting
January 20
Holiday Inn Airport East
Columbus, OH
ITC Canada
Meeting
January 22
Sheraton Gateway Hotel Pearson Airport
Toronto, Canada
Cocktail Party at the hotel
Friday
January 21, 7:00 pm
Mid Atlantic
Chapter Meeting
January 29
Holiday Inn Airport
Charlotte, NC
Facility Tour-Carolina Cartridge and Supply
Friday January 28, 3:00-6:00pm
Cocktail Party at the hotel
Friday January 28, 7:00pm
Visit www.i-itc.org/chapteragenda.htm
for details
January sponsors: Baiksan OPC, Densigraphix, MKG, Multi-Laser, Inc., Teckn-O-Laser, West Point Products.
Check Your
Mail. Are You Getting Imaging Spectrum?
Subscribe to the Int’l ITC monthly magazine, Imaging Spectrum.
Contact Olivia Stephens at olivia@i-itc.org
to begin receiving your issue in the mail or sign up online at https://www.i-itc.org/magazine.htm.
Imaging Spectrum provides more information per issue than any
other industry publication. Get more from your subscription dollar!
Breaking
News
After
months of pressure from the Int’l ITC and New York Assemblyman Joe
Morelle, RadioShack has removed misleading signs from its stores. “I
am pleased that RadioShack has not only taken down the signs in their
stores, but is agreeing to look at marketing remanufactured cartridges,”
said Morelle. “This is a positive step for the remanufacturing industry,
and I am proud to be a part of these efforts.”
In early September, Int’l ITC members began reporting the display of signs in their local RadioShack stores that read: “Remanufactured ink cartridges void your hardware warranty.” Signs were spotted in New York, Nevada, Massachusetts and California.
The Int’l ITC wrote letters requesting that the company remove the signs to Leonard Roberts, chairman and CEO of RadioShack, and David Edmonds, president and COO of RadioShack. When RadioShack did not respond, Int’l ITC enlisted the help of N.Y. Assemblyman Joe Morelle, who also wrote and telephoned RadioShack.
An attorney for RadioShack responded by claiming that their stores do not display such signs, and that the stores where such signs were displayed might be RadioShack dealer/franchises and, “Because they are independent businesses, they are responsible for their own sales practices and legal compliance.” Int’l ITC investigated and found the signs in many corporate-owned outlets.
Morelle enlisted the assistance of other N.Y. agencies, including the office of New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer, who made an inquiry into the placement of the signs.
According to RadioShack’s representative, all the signs have been removed. If you find a sign still displayed in a store near you, please contact the Int’l ITC at once at exec@i-itc.org.
It is 2005.
Have You Renewed Your Membership?
In 2004, the Int’l ITC supported members in lawsuits, took on RadioShack,
testified on behalf of remanufacturing in New York and provided networking
opportunities and education offerings throughout the year. 2005 promises
to be even more eventful. Renew your membership and commitment to the
Int’l ITC, and keep your business and the industry successful. We
are a membership organization. Be sure that you have access to every benefit
we provide! Contact Karen Helfgott at
karen@i-itc.org or Olivia Stephens at olivia@i-itc.org
or sign up online at https://www.i-itc.org/JoinOnline.htm.
New Year,
New Advertising Opportunities
Speak directly to your audience by placing an ad in the pages of Imaging
Spectrum magazine or exploring one of the other advertising opportunities
available through the Int’l ITC. For more information, contact Richelle
Lambert at richelle@i-itc.org
or visit http://www.i-itc.org/advertise_imagingspectrum.htm.
| Fun Facts Eighty percent of U.S. consumers take into consideration environmental concerns when making purchases. – CARDONE Industries USA |
December Poll
Results
Last issue we asked: Do you have a recycling program for your cartridges
that are no longer remanufacturable? (HP claims that our industry
does not recycle our refuse while they recycle their returns.)
December survey results showed that all those who responded do have recycling
programs in place for cores, drums and cardboard inserts and boxes.
Online
Poll
What is the most effective way to educate consumers on the benefits
and quality of remanufactured products?
Check all that apply: