Posted by Karla/OR on 8/28/11 9:02pm
Msg #395410

Printers

Spent all afternoon at three stores: Best Buy, Costco, and Staples perusing printers. Still confused a bit - the sales people were about as helpful as a box of rocks. Very frustrating experience.

None, zero, nada of the laser printers CAME with dual trays - would be $200 more for that add on. However, they did have a inkjet machine WITH dual trays for $300 (on sale) - it's a HP officejet 8500A premium wierless eA10 with 15 ppm, dual sided print.

In reading the messages regarding printers on Not/Rot all seemed to mention laserjet. So my main purpose in posting is this: is the reasoning behind laser that it is faster with ppm AND the quality is better?

I am also coming back now to look at the on-line web sites that many of you referred me to earlier. In hindsight, should have just gone that route! Live and learn, right? Admittedly I have a lot to learn.

Thanks in advance.

Reply by Lee/AR on 8/28/11 9:12pm
Msg #395411

Laserjet is mandatory...period. It's a quality (& COST of ink!!!) issue. Inkjet printed papers will run if they get a drop of water on them. Tho' I have to say that you do NOT ever want to print loan docs on an inkjet...it'd take all day, but that is NOT the problem with an inkjet for loan docs. You don't need dual-sided printing. Really, you don't need a new printer...check out low page count used ones.

Reply by Karla/OR on 8/28/11 9:22pm
Msg #395416

Thanks Lee. I'm listening and headed for the web sites.. Thanks a lot!

Reply by JanetK_CA on 8/28/11 9:38pm
Msg #395423

I bought my last two printers on ebay, gently used - and greatly reduced in cost. It took lots of time researching - and there's always a risk - but I got much more printer than what I paid for. Everyone has their own opinion about this, though, and it just depends on what you're willing to spend. (You can always upgrade later, once you have an idea of how much business you're able to get and what your fees are.)

Reply by GOLDGIRL/CA on 8/28/11 9:46pm
Msg #395426

Sorry you had such a rough day trying to buy a printer! Been there, done that.

You absolutely need a laser printer for several reasons; don't even think about inkjet.

I have never bought a dual tray printer because they're such a hassle to find - and expensive, but my HP printers are set up so that the special media feeder (that thing you pull out in the front of the printer) will select letter size and the main tray is legal paper. Only problem is the special media tray holds 50 or so sheets, so you have to keep an eye on it during printing to make sure it doesn't run out and all your letter size pages end up on legal. This arrangement has worked perfectly fine for me through hundreds and hundreds of loans. I learned how to set this up from a discussion here on NR and if you do a search you'll find it. However, if I ever run across a dual tray that looks like a good deal, I intend to buy it! It would make things easier...

Reply by Bob_Chicago on 8/28/11 9:40pm
Msg #395424

Keep in mind, that, as a general rule, the more expensive

(higher quality) the printer, the cheaper it is to operate.
Some low end laser priters end up with a toner cost of 7 cents or more per page and will require expensive repair parts far sooner than hgh end printers. .
High end are much faster and can end up with a per page toner cost of one cent or less.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 8/28/11 10:38pm
Msg #395433

Re: Keep in mind, that, as a general rule, the more expensive

Great advice, Bob.

BTW, the last printer I bought on eBay is a heavy duty dual tray that prints 35 ppm (with duplex printing for non-document stuff) and I paid less than $200 for it. (I was told it was originally a $1300 printer. I saw them for a list price of ~$1000.) I figured it was worth the gamble and so far that's been very true! Again, I did lots of research before I decided to buy it.

Reply by Karla/OR on 8/28/11 10:06pm
Msg #395429

You have ALL been so gracious with my learning curve. If you lived near me I would bake you all treats! Have a good week.

Reply by GOLDGIRL/CA on 8/28/11 10:20pm
Msg #395430

Hey - I'll send you my address! Actually, I'll send you a prepaid postage treat box and all you have to do is fill it and send it back! Yummy!

Reply by Karla/OR on 8/28/11 10:56pm
Msg #395436

Did I forget to mention I'm homeless? Kidding.

Reply by jba/fl on 8/28/11 10:45pm
Msg #395434

http://www.cnet.com

Reply by Karla/OR on 8/28/11 11:08pm
Msg #395437

I checked the link to cnet - I looked in as far as the first ten pages (before nodding off!). So far did not see anything that said anything about dual paper trays. Is there something I am missing? Thanks.

Reply by Jose Gutierrez on 8/28/11 11:50pm
Msg #395443

stop looking for a printer please see link below

http://www.staples.com/Brother-HL-5370DWT-Laser-Printer/product_786484


buy it tomorrow online and you will get it Tuesday.

Reply by Karla/OR on 8/29/11 2:19am
Msg #395452

Re: stop looking for a printer please see link below

Jose you are wonderful! I ordered the $249 printer (via Amazon for Staples) and I'm sure it will be perfect. If not I'll hunt you down! (grinning).

I just have three other minor details to take care of tomorrow and then I'm ready to report for business.

The notaries on this site are amazing and have helped me get to this point. Hoping to pay-it-forward someday and help someone else.

Reply by CopperheadVA on 8/29/11 7:15am
Msg #395463

Re: stop looking for a printer please see link below

Don't forget to order extra memory for your printer - as much as it will hold. Speeds up printing and makes your life soooo much easier when printing the large files we receive for loan docs.

Reply by BrotherOwner on 8/29/11 2:14pm
Msg #395548

Re: stop looking for a printer please see link below

This printer comes with 32 megs of memory standard, which I have found to be sufficient for all doc printing situations. That said I would never discourage anyone from adding more memory. There is a slot on side of machine for add'l memory. Open slot door, pop in memory, replace slot door. 20 seconds. No tools required. Max add'l memory size is 144 megs I believe. Usually available from Kahlon.com. Price ~ $20 for 144. Less $ for smaller # of megs, but cost is so little, you might as well shoot for the moon. Brother itself does not sell any memory, and it doesn't pay to spend big bucks on memory. I have used and recommended Kahlon.com for years. Original 144 mem stick I bought was fo a HL 5050 ( 8 meg standard I believe) and I have teransferred it to later machines. Latest machine I have has 32 standard, and I have not added add'l.

Reply by MW/VA on 8/29/11 7:27am
Msg #395465

If you can find any good prices on Brother 5200 series or 5300 series printers, you can pick up an extra paper tray on NewEgg. Extra trays can run about $100.
I'd try searching for a used printer first.
When I was starting out, I was thoroughly confused about the "dual-tray" concept, didn't know about the forums, and wasted a lot of money on printers that just couldn't handle the volume of printing required.
If you can find some older models, like a Brother 5240, it will do the job nicely for you.

Reply by BrotherOwner on 8/29/11 2:23pm
Msg #395553

Amazon today, $249 for 5370 DWT, free shipping, instant rebate. That's Duplex, Wireless, lowerTray=DWT. Why look for an older model and/or have to pay for shipping or have two orders,etc. This unit at this price is almost unbeatable. The only time I've seen a better deal on this unit was $229 for a refurb, with a mail in or instant rebate.

Reply by BrotherOwner on 8/29/11 2:42pm
Msg #395561

Re: $249 Amazon or Staples today. Also use....

High yield TN650 replacement toner cartridges, NOT TN-620 that comes in machine. There is NO difference in the 620/650 cartridge, just more toner is loaded in the 650.