Frequently
Asked Questions
Visit
our Cell Phone FAQ Page.
Q.
Can we work with you if we are located in Canada/Alaska/Hawaii/etc?
A. We will cover the cost of shipping for cartridges shipped from all 50 United States (including Alaska and Hawaii) and Puerto Rico with our prepaid UPS shipping labels. Our labels do not work for any location other than those listed above. If you would like to cover the cost of shipping your cartridges to us from Canada or any other location in the world, we would love to work with you. Unfortunately we cannot reimburse you for shipping. If you would
like to cover the cost of shipping, you may mail your cartridges to the address
below. Please be sure to include a note with payment instructions.
Empty
Solution
Attn: LTM Shipment
5657 SW Arctic Drive
Beaverton, OR 97005
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Q.
What are your shipping minimums?
A. In order to use one of our prepaid shipping labels, we ask that you
ship at least 10 cell phones or 10 laser cartridges or 20 inkjet cartridges
per label. Or you can combine different types of items in the same shipment,
as long as you send a complementary combination of our different minimums.
For example, you could ship half of our cell phone minimum plus half
of our inkjet minimum in the same box (this would be 5 cell phones plus
10 inkjet cartridges). If you don't meet our shipping minimums, we will
credit your payment $1.50 per cell phone or toner cartridge short of
our minimums or $.75 per inkjet cartridge short of our minimums. If you have Microsoft Excel, you can use our Shipping Minimum Calculator. top
Q.
What if I can't collect your minimum number of cartridges?
A. We will still buy your empties at our posted prices, but we cannot
pay for shipping unless you meet our shipping minimums. If you would
like to cover shipping, you may mail your cartridges to the address
below. Please be sure to include a note with payment instructions.
Empty
Solution
Attn: LTM Shipment
5657 SW Arctic Drive
Beaverton, OR 97005
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Q.
I know you've moved a few times, which labels should I be using?
A. Because of the success of our program, we have been relocating to larger warehouses every two years. Our most recent move was to Beaverton, OR, in May 2008. If you have labels with our Ruben Lane, Sandy, OR, address, you can use them through July 2008. We would prefer that you use our Beaverton labels if you have both. PLEASE DO NOT USE LABELS WITH OUR INDUSTRIAL WAY, SANDY, OR, ADDRESS. If you need labels, you can request them at our label request page. PLEASE DISCARD ANY DHL LABELS YOU MAY HAVE AS WE ARE NO LONGER USING DHL AND THEY DO NOT HAVE ADDRESS FORWARDING CAPABILITIES. YOUR PACKAGE WILL BE RETURNED TO YOU AS UNDELIVERABLE. top
Q.
Can I combine inkjet cartridges, laser cartridges, and cell phones in
the same shipment?
A. Yes, you can combine them in the same shipment. But please be aware
that the heavy laser cartridges tend to damage inkjet cartridges and
cell phones in shipping. Please pack your items well. Please see our
Packing Page for suggestions. top
Q.
Do I need to write my return address on the shipping label?
A. We identify boxes by the account number that we've entered on the Reference Number line of each label. However, it's best if you put your return address on the label in case the label is defaced in shipping. This happens occasionally, and it's impossible for us to identify the sender if the label has been damaged and there's no return address. top
Q.
Do I need to include a packing list with my cartridges?
A. If you have prepared an inventory of your cartridges and can easily include a copy, please do so, though it's not necessary. In the event that your shipping label is defaced in shipping, a packing slip will help to ensure that we can identify you as the shipper. top
Q.
Do you buy empties that have already been refilled before?
A. We buy some previously-remanufactured empties, but only the ones that are on our buyback list. On the list, scroll down to the "R" section for cartridges starting with the text "Reman/NV". top
Q.
Virgin/non-virgin, remanufactured, OEM. What does it all mean?
A. OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer and generally means
a cartridge that is sold by the company that made the printer (like
Hewlett-Packard, Canon, Lexmark, Xerox, etc.) The words OEM and virgin
mean the same thing and are interchangeable. Previously remanufactured
cartridges have been refilled at least once before. The phrases non-virgin
and previously remanufactured mean the same thing and are interchangeable.
For more information, see our Virgin/Non-virgin
FAQ's. top
Q.
How can I tell if a cartridge has been previously remanufactured?
A. See our Virgin/Non-virgin FAQ's for hints.
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Q.
What should I do with previously-remanufactured toner cartridges that are not on your buyback list?
A. There are a few companies that remanufacture non-virgin cartridges.
The biggest that we know of is the company that Office Depot, Staples,
and OfficeMax use for their recycling programs. You can usually exchange
your empty non-virgin laser cartridge for a ream of recycled paper at
these stores. top
Q.
Do you accept empty Epson brand inkjets?
A. No. We do not know of any large companies here in the United States
that are remanufacturing Epson cartridges. Because it is less expensive
for American companies to manufacture Epson-compatible cores, they don't
clean and refill used Epson cartridges. Your empty Epsons are probably
going to end up in a landfill somewhere, so the responsible thing to
do is landfill them locally rather than using fossil fuels to transport
them to someone else. NOTE THAT WE DO ACCEPT SOME EPSON LASERS. See
our buyback list for details. top
Q.
Do you accept empty Canon brand inkjets?
A. We do accept some model numbers of Canon empties. Please see our
buyback list for specifics and prices. Many
of the Canon inkjets not listed on our buyback list are ink tanks much
like Epson cartridges discussed immediately above this question, and
the best option is to landfill them. NOTE THAT WE DO ACCEPT SOME CANON
LASERS. See our buyback list for details. top
Q.
It's a little difficult to get 10 laser cartridges in a box. What do
you suggest?
A. See our Packing Page for ideas. top
Q.
How should I pack inkjets for shipping?
A. See our Packing Page for ideas. top
Q.
Can we pack inkjets and lasers together?
A. YES. Previously we required that you ship your laser cartridges to
one facility and your inkjets to another. However, we have now consolidated
our processing facilities in Oregon. If you have prepaid labels for
our California warehouse, please discard them. Feel free to request
more labels for our Oregon facility if you need them. However, please
pack your cartridges so that they will not be damaged in shipping. top
Q.
Your buyback list notes some "broken tab" cartridges. What does this mean?
A. Cartridges in the style of HP C6578A's, C6625A's, and 51641A's have three tabs on each side that can break off easily. See this picture for an example. Though this usually doesn't affect the integrity of these cartridges, they're worth less because of the cosmetic damage. If you protect your cartridges well for shipping (put them in their original sleeves, wrap them in newspaper, etc), these tabs should not break off. top
Q.
Do you sell remanufactured cartridges? Where can I buy them?
A. We have teamed up with the folks at USA Inkjets to offer remanufactured
inkjet and toner cartridges through www.greatcartridges.com.
Great Cartridges offers FREE SHIPPING on all orders over $30.00. And
you can save up to 80% using remanufactured cartridges rather than OEM
cartridges. Check out the pricing and details at www.greatcartridges.com.
However, keep in mind that we do not pay for most previously-remanufactured
empties. Review our price list for specifics.
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Q.
How is payment handled?
A. Your check becomes payable exactly three weeks from the date your cartridges are delivered to our facility. However, we cut checks and mail them on Fridays only. Payments are made via company check and are mailed to the
address you provided when you signed up. If you are concerned that your
payment is late, visit our Payment Status page.
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Q.
You used to pay more quickly. Why did you make the change?
A. Demand for our program has been huge. We have had thousands of new participants sign up recently. We have weeks where we receive twice as many shipments as the previous week. With these peaks and valleys, it's difficult to always have shipments processed within two weeks of delivery. Rather than pay in two weeks sometimes and three weeks other times, we decided to make the change to net/21 terms rather than net/14 terms. We're still much faster than the competition, and we hope you appreciate our commitment to consistency. top
Q.
How do I sign up?
A. Fill out our Signup Form. We will mail your
welcome kit via US Postal service within two business days of your signup.
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Q.
How do I order more labels?
A. Along with your payment, we will send a replacement label for each
shipment you have sent to us. If you need more labels, fill out
our Label Request Form. We will mail
your labels via US Postal Service within two business days of your request.
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Q.
How do I update my contact information?
A. Simply email your updted contact/mailing information to myinfo@emptysolution.com.
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