Buying replacement cartridges for your printer is an expensive business at the best of times. Now with major producers - including HP and Epson - reducing the quantity of ink in the new cartridges, it's set to get even pricier. Here's a simple strategy to reduce the cost of the printer cartridges you buy and save you a bundle.

If you've been using an laser or inkjet printer for any length of time, you'll know that the cost of replacing the printer cartridge is a major expense. Often after a few months (or even weeks) of moderate use, the cost of replacement cartridges has overtaken the cost of the printer itself. To make things worse, the major printer manufacturers including Epson and HP have reduced the quantity of ink in these replacement cartridges. This makes the whole business even more costly. So what can you do? Here's a guide to getting the best value for your replacement cartridges.

First, you have to understand the types of printer cartridges available. There are basically three types of replacement ink cartridge you can buy. The first is original equipment manufacturer (OEM). These are made by the printer companies themselves. OEMs tend to be the most expensive but also have the highest quality.

The next are compatible ink cartridges, also known as generic ink cartridges. These discount ink cartridges are built to OEM specifications but by companies other than the printer company. Some OEMs patent their cartridge design, so the generic item is unavailable.

Finally there are remanufactured cartridges. These are used cartridges which have been refilled. They are of course the cheapest and least reliable. Now let's move on to finding the best supplier.

Finding the right discount supplier can save you a fortune in your future purchases of printer cartridges . There are a number of criteria you should bear in mind. You should look for a store that offers a full range of products from all the major manufacturers. This means you don't have to waste time if they don't have the brand or model you want. Most retail chains offer a full range of products but their prices tend to be very high.

For this reason, ordering online is an attractive option. For one thing it can be very cost effective to buy directly from the wholesaler. What's more, the products are often imported from China and other Asian countries so prices can be extremely attractive.

Shipping and handling are often free.

Another advantage of buying online is that you can shop from the comfort of your computer. You don't have to waste time driving around shops looking for the best deal. And with fast delivery, your new printer cartridges arrive in a few days.

It sounds perfect and it is. Providing you choose the right company to buy from. First and foremost you need to find a reliable supplier with a good track record. They should have a business history going back at least ten years. And look for a firm that stands by its products and offers an iron-clad guarantee.