Should You Buy a Printer Just for Return Labels?

Buying a printer just for return labels seems practical, but it's usually a poor financial decision. The printer cost, ink expenses, and maintenance make it expensive compared to alternatives. Here's whether buying a printer for returns makes sense.

The Printer Cost Analysis

Initial Purchase

Basic Printer:

• $50-150
• One-time cost
• Initial investment

Quality Printer:

• $150-300
• Better quality
• Higher investment

Average: $100-200

Ink Costs

Ink Cartridges:

• $20-60 per set
• Lasts 100-300 pages
• Ongoing cost

Per Return:

• $0.20-0.60 per label
• Recurring expense

Annual (36 returns):

• $7.20-21.60
• Annual ink cost

Maintenance Costs

Paper:

• $5-10 per ream
• Lasts many labels
• Minimal cost

Maintenance:

• Occasional cleaning
• Troubleshooting
• Time cost

Total Maintenance: $5-15/year

The Complete Cost

First Year

Printer Purchase:

• $100-200

Ink:

• $7.20-21.60

Paper:

• $2-5

Maintenance:

• $5-15

Total First Year: $114.20-241.60

Subsequent Years

Ink:

• $7.20-21.60

Paper:

• $2-5

Maintenance:

• $5-15

Total Per Year: $14.20-41.60

5-Year Total

Year 1:

• $114.20-241.60

Years 2-5:

• $14.20-41.60 × 4 = $56.80-166.40

5-Year Total: $171-408

The Alternatives

Option 1: Pickup Service

Service Fee:

• $20-25 per return
• No printing needed
• All-inclusive

Annual (36 returns):

• $720-900
• Annual cost

Comparison:

• Printer: $171-408 (5 years)
• Service: $720-900 (1 year)
• But service includes pickup, not just printing

Option 2: Print at Store

Printing Cost:

• $0.10-0.50 per page
• At office supply store
• Per-use cost

Annual (36 returns):

• $3.60-18
• Annual cost

Plus:

• Must go to store
• Time cost
• Additional expense

Option 3: QR Code Returns

No Printing:

• Many retailers offer QR codes
• Show on phone
• No printer needed

The Benefit:

• Eliminates need
• No printer cost
• Better option

The Real Comparison

Printer for Returns Only

5-Year Cost:

• $171-408
• Total investment

Benefits:

• Convenience at home
• Immediate printing
• Limited benefits

Drawbacks:

• High initial cost
• Ongoing ink costs
• Maintenance
• Significant drawbacks

Pickup Service (No Printing Needed)

Annual Cost:

• $720-900 (36 returns)
• But includes pickup

Benefits:

• No printer needed
• No printing
• Pickup included
• Comprehensive service

The Key:

• Service does more than printing
• Includes pickup
• Better value

The Break-Even Analysis

If Only Using for Returns

Printer Cost:

• $171-408 (5 years)
• Total investment

Printing at Store:

• $3.60-18 per year
• $18-90 (5 years)
• Much cheaper

Break-Even:

• Printer never pays off
• Store printing cheaper
• Printer not worth it

If Using for Other Things

Printer Value:

• If used for other printing
• May be worth it
• Depends on usage

For Returns Only:

• Not worth it
• Better alternatives
• Don't buy

Real-World Examples

Example 1: Occasional Returns

Situation:

• 2 returns/month
• 24 returns/year

Printer Cost:

• $171-408 (5 years)
• $34.20-81.60 per year

Printing at Store:

• $2.40-12 per year
• Much cheaper

Verdict: Don't buy printer

Example 2: Frequent Returns

Situation:

• 5 returns/month
• 60 returns/year

Printer Cost:

• $171-408 (5 years)
• $34.20-81.60 per year

Printing at Store:

• $6-30 per year
• Still cheaper

Verdict: Don't buy printer

The Better Alternatives

Use QR Codes

The Solution:

• Many retailers offer
• Show on phone
• No printing needed
• Best option

The Benefit:

• No printer needed
• No cost
• Convenient
• Ideal

Print at Store

The Solution:

• Office supply stores
• $0.10-0.50 per page
• When needed
• Cheaper

The Benefit:

• No printer purchase
• Lower cost
• No maintenance
• Better

Use Pickup Service

The Solution:

• Service handles everything
• No printing needed
• Pickup included
• Comprehensive

The Benefit:

• No printer needed
• No printing
• Full service
• Worth it

Making the Decision

Don't Buy If:

Only for Returns:

• Not worth it
• Better alternatives
• Don't buy

Occasional Use:

• Not worth it
• Store printing cheaper
• Don't buy

Consider If:

Multiple Uses:

• Other printing needs
• Frequent use
• May be worth it

But for Returns Only:

• Don't buy
• Use alternatives
• Better choice

The Bottom Line

Buying a printer just for return labels is not worth it because the printer cost, ink expenses, and maintenance exceed the cost of printing at stores or using QR codes. The 5-year cost of $171-408 is much higher than store printing at $18-90.

Better alternatives exist: QR codes eliminate the need entirely, printing at stores is cheaper, and pickup services handle everything without printing. All are better than buying a printer just for returns.

If you're considering a printer for returns, calculate the true cost. You'll likely find that alternatives are cheaper and more practical.

Ready to avoid printer costs? Check Returnful's service and eliminate the need for printing.

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Tired of printer costs? Text us at 469-790-7579 to eliminate the need for printing!