How to Buy a Used Laser Printer

The process for buying a used printer is very similar to the process of buying a new laser printer. Figure out what you need in a printer, research the types of printers and shop around. Here are the steps to buy a used laser printer.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Decide what you will use the printer for. If you are not going to be doing heavy-duty printing and graphics, you can get by with a more inexpensive printer with fewer features.

2. Do your homework. After you figure out what features you are looking for in printer, narrow the field down to a few different makes. While you might not be able to get the exact printer you are looking for when buying used, you can find a few options.

3. Make a choice. Will you be buying a refurbished printer? A refurbished printer is a used one that has been bought by a company that cleans and checks out everything on the used printer. It’s somewhat like buying a used car from a car dealer.

4. Look in your favorite newspapers. You may be able to find a printer in the classifieds.

5. Look online. Refurbished printers can be found online at some used-printer stores, as well as online auction sites.

6. Check it out in person. If you are buying the printer in person, such as at a yard sale or from a classified ad, you will have this opportunity. Check for excessive dust, excessive toner outside of the cartridge or paper stuck in the paper-supply line. Also make sure all the cords come with the printer.

Tips & Warnings

• Ask for a test print. If you feel comfortable and are buying the printer in person, ask if you can print a test page. You don’t even need to hook the printer to a computer in most cases, you just need to plug it into a power outlet and load paper.
• Wait for a friend to get a new printer. In some cases a friend will buy a new printer and you can buy the old one (or even get it for free).
• Ask around. Sometimes a friend of a friend will be selling a printer. You can find a great deal that way.
• Buyer beware. There are usually no guarantees that the used printer you buy will be in working order. If you buy at a garage sale or from a classified ad, you won’t have much recourse if things go sour.