Village Merchant Makes Imprint in Printer Supplies

So much for the paperless society. In the late 1990s, visionaries promised a paperless society due to the digital age. How wrong they were. In North America alone, office printers still churn out 1.5 trillion sheets annually, according to market data.

That is good news for New Hyde Park business man Peter Li. He makes his livelihood on supplies and accessories for computer printers. Without paper, Li’s would have no market.

Fortunately for him, there is a market, and he is not the only one in this space. For seven years, the last three in New Hyde Park at 1006 Jericho Turnpike, Li has provided small local businesses and individuals with ink and toner products.

Li would not likely survive selling hardware alone, not in a world of office giants like Staples and OfficeMax. However, in a niche like toner and cartridges, he can make a living because these accessories are to computer printers what blades are to razors.

An individual may buy one $200 printer that lasts for five years. In that same span, the same individual might purchase 50 black ink cartridges for $16 apiece. There will no doubt be color cartridges as well. It is easy to see where the profit margin comes in.

Not that this is an easy business for Li. He pays $3,000 a month in rent and employs two people. To cover expenses and eke out a living, he needs to reach out to local businesses.

“We focus on travel agencies, insurance companies, medical offices, local small businesses,” Li said. “Business-to-business is our target. You don’t make a lot selling to individuals.”

Li’s hope is that smaller merchants along Jericho Turnpike in New Hyde Park and nearby communities would rather do business with him than Staples or OfficeMax. His prices are very competitive with the big chains. His inventory is impressive.

“The smaller business wants to save money and cut costs, so they buy from me. Locally, you can’t beat our price,” he said. “That’s why we are different. They do not want to buy from Staples."

Li said New York Cartridge Outlet does not charge for shipping, which is one advantage. Other advantages are the personal attention and customer service his business provides. If you walk into his store, chances are you will be dealing with him, the owner, not a sales rep.

New York Cartridge Outlet sells brand-name cartridges and toner, primarily Hewlett-Packard, Epson, Canon and Lexmark. They sell printers as well, but it is the supplies and accessories like ink kits that drive business. “Printer supplies – that’s all we do,” he said. “We’re not trying to be something we’re not.”

The store is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For information, call 516-684-9287.