-
Step 1
Identify necessary features. Don't let yourself get distracted by trendy add-ons; make a list of what you need in a printer before you even start shopping. What will you be doing with it? Here are some things to consider:
• Will this be used in an office, home office, or just for fun?
• What size prints will you be making most often? What about oversize prints?
• Which is more important: print speed, print quality, or ink cost?
• Will you be printing contact sheets from a digital camera? How should it connect?
• How many (wired or wireless) computers will be trying to use this printer?
• Do you need multifunction capabilities like scanning?
In all likelihood, if your needs change drastically, you're going to wind up shopping for a new machine. That's not necessarily a bad thing since newer models get faster, more precise, and more competitively priced every year. Buy what you need now, save some money, and leave the "fully loaded" models for those that can't decide. -
Step 2
Look for product reviews. Although you may find a knowledgeable tech store employee, don't forget that they are paid to make sales, not to test the equipment. By doing your own research, you'll discover how your needs translate into technical terms like dots-per-inch (dpi) and pages-per-minute (ppm) as well as the maintenance and reliability records of various machines. Try visiting general "what to look for" sites before seeking more information on specific models.
-
Step 3
Look up ink cartridge prices. Find out how much it would cost to replace all of the cartridges, and how many pages can supposedly be printed with a fresh set. This is a real and recurring maintenance cost that will add up over time, so it's worth checking into before you're committed to a particular printer. If all this digital legwork is burning you out, check out The American Consumer Institute's consumer calculator.
-
Step 4
Comparison shop online. This way, even if you intend to walk into a brick-and-mortar store, you'll know exactly what your preferred model is worth and, maybe, even have a printout for competitive price matching.
-
Step 5
Visit the store. Try to find out what their policy is for returns: do they charge a restocking fee and/or do they charge you to ship the item back? What if your printer arrives and it's defective -- will they do an easy exchange, require a paid in-store insurance policy, or refer you to the manufacturer's warranty? Do they offer price matching and, if so, what are their rules for taking advantage of such a policy? Lastly, what do other people say about the store itself? Are there posts online or reputation points listed anywhere? Once you're satisfied with finding the right retailer, make the sale.
