Counterfeit Brother Toners: How To Spot and Avoid Them

09/08/2023

The market for printer consumables, including toner cartridges, has unfortunately seen a rise in counterfeit products.

Counterfeit Brother toner cartridges may look genuine, but they can lead to subpar print quality, damage to your printer, and even compromise your data security.

This guide will help you figure out if a toner is fake and how to avoid getting stuck with one.

Verify the Packaging

Genuine Brother toner cartridges come in well-designed packaging with high-quality printing. Check for any spelling errors, blurry logos, or inconsistencies on the packaging.

Pay attention to the quality of the cardboard, holographic seals, and the Brother logo's authenticity.

Counterfeit products often have packaging that looks shoddy and lacks attention to detail.

Examine the Labels and Codes

Take a close look at the stickers and numbers on the toner cartridge. Genuine Brother cartridges have clear, legible labels with accurate information.

Look for inconsistencies in the model number, page yield, and any region-specific codes.

If the label appears blurry, smudged or has errors, it could be a sign of a counterfeit product.

Product Authenticity Verification

Verifying with ID: Look for the security hologram on the packaging or label of the Brother toner cartridge. The hologram is a shiny, multi-dimensional sticker or label that's usually placed on the cartridge's packaging or label. Then, type the number from this hologram into the Brother Authentication Tool online.

Using Smartphone: Get a data matrix code reader app (QR-only apps might not work). Use it to scan the Data Matrix code on the package, and go to the verification page. It will check the ID automatically, and you'll see a green checkmark if it's real.

Check the Toner's Performance

A surefire way to detect counterfeit toner is through its performance. If you notice a sudden decline in print quality it could be an indication of a counterfeit product.

Genuine Brother toners are designed to deliver consistent, high-quality prints.

What To Consider Before Making a Purchase

Before investing in a toner cartridge for your printer, it's essential to be mindful of various factors that can affect your purchasing decision.

To safeguard your investment and ensure you get a reliable product, take the following considerations into account.

Purchase From Authorized Retailers

To ensure authenticity, buy from reputable retailers, authorized Brother dealers, or the official Brother website. Authorized dealers are more likely to sell genuine products, reducing the risk of counterfeit purchases.

Read Customer Reviews

Research and read customer reviews before making a purchase. If other customers have had negative experiences with a particular seller or product, it's a red flag and may indicate counterfeit items.

Compare Prices

If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is. Counterfeit toners are often sold at significantly lower prices than genuine ones.

Be cautious when purchasing from sources that offer prices drastically below the market average.

Summary

These steps, along with verifying the appearance and authenticity of the security hologram, significantly reduce the risk of purchasing counterfeit Brother toner cartridges.

This will ensure that you receive the quality and performance you expect.

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