Business delivers on economical and ecological ink cartridges

Cartridge World Delivers Savings

By Jill Draper

Customers come to Cartridge World-Lee’s Summit for three basic reasons, say owners Rick and Lisa Pycior. Some want to save money on refilling ink and toner cartridges for their printers. Some want expert advice on what kind of printer to buy. And some like the environmental aspect of reusing the original cartridge. Often these reasons overlap.

“A lot of folks really care about the savings, but we’re also eco-friendly,” says Lisa, who mentions the world’s increasing “glut of plastic in the waste stream.”  And despite manufacturers who make it seem nearly impossible to use cartridges from any other brand, she says the remanufacturing industry processes have improved greatly and her business usually has a cost-effective alternative to the high cost of printer cartridges.

“Some companies do everything in their power to make you believe that only their products will work,” Lisa says, citing the situation as a perfect example of the “razor and blades business model” where items such as razor handles or color printers are sold at a low price in order to make money by selling high-priced consumables like razors or ink cartridges.

“Almost everybody has a printer that uses ink or toner,” she says. “If you have one, then we probably have a solution for you.” She estimates her average customer pays 30 to 40 percent less than a manufacturer’s brand.

The Pyciors also run a business-to-business program called “Why Buy a Printer?” that loans a printer to companies who do a certain volume of printing and who agree to use toner cartridges only from them. Current participants include real estate agents, insurance companies and restaurants.

Lisa, a former nurse, and Rick, a former postmaster, opened their Cartridge World franchise 13 years ago in Lee’s Summit at 412 S.W. Ward Road. They serve both walk-in customers and they make deliveries to qualified businesses in the Kansas City metro area. Delivery is free for businesses in South Kansas City, Grandview, Belton and surrounding areas with a $50 minimum order. In 2012 they were named Small Business of the Year by the Lee’s Summit Chamber of Commerce.

One new product the Pyciors carry is a monochrome laser printer that uses a black toner cartridge instead of ink cartridges. If you can live without color copies, Lisa says, you’ll come out way ahead by purchasing this type of printer which sells for $170.

Until recently, Cartridge World in Lee’s Summit was a drop-off site for empty printer cartridges for recycling. Because of changes in plastic recycling, however, the store can only accept cartridges that are needed for production. They welcome your call with your cartridge style to determine if you can participate in reusing, refilling or recycling your cartridges. Hours of operation are 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. See more at their Facebook page or contact them at cartridgeworldls@sbcglobal.net or 816-287-2406.