Rapid Refill Ink gives new option to customers

Orchard Park Bee

July 26, 2007

Orchard Park residents Ken and Joal Miller were looking for a business venture that brought a service that was unusual to the area.

They began searching for franchise opportunities and found one that was a perfect fit.

The company is called Rapid Refill Ink and it opened June 19 at B.J.'s Plaza on Milestrip Road in Blasdell.

"somebody brings in a cartridge," said Ken, noting that the customer then gets a discounted price off of an ink cartridge that is in stock.

The customer gets their new ink cartridge in minutes from a display on the shelf. The Millers then take the one brought in and put it through a six-step process.

"We do a physical and electrical inspection," he said. If the cartridge looks like it is scratched, they will then move on.

If it passes the first part, the cartridge is then put through a food warmer to remove "gook" out of the jets.

An air compressor then shots out hot water and cleans the print heads.

According to Ken, once the ink runs out, it is ready to begin the process of refilling.

The next step is to put it through a spinning process that helps clean out the old ink.

Ken noted that his" planogram shows particular inks," so he knows exactly what to use.

Rapid Refill Ink then fills the cartridge to the weight of the original manufacturer's specifications.

And the company has access to the majority of manufacturers, or "95 percent of cartridges out there" said Ken.

They keep major brand in stock, so customers do not have to wait for a replacement. He said that is cost savings to customers because they not only get a discount for bringing in their old cartridge, but also save money on the cartridge they purchase.

The refill process is a three-day one because extensive testing – including print tests- are done before the cartridges hit the shelves.

They are tested 24 hours apart to make sure that it is working properly. Rapid Refill Ink does have a guarantee on its products as well.

As the year goes on, Rapid Refill Ink intends to add other product services, including a compressor line for laser printers.

Joal said laser cartridges are messy because they are powdered.

"It's great, but it's going to get better," she said.

"This store is basically what they call a production store," said Ken.

Opening multiple stores is another long-term goal of the Millers. They said this location is the first Rapid Refill Ink in Western New York.

"There are 96 stores that are open nation-wide," he said. "We do the manufacturing and remanufacturing here."

When you walk in the store, there are a variety of aspects that are unusual.

This includes the front counter, which is made of crushed flower seeds. There is also a mural that has the top 60 endangered species and reclaimed wheat stock walls.

"We also get involved in the community," said Ken, who said they have recycling program to help raise money.

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