FAQs

Answers to the questions South African customers ask The Inky Shop most often about ink and toner, delivery, payment, returns and refills.

Last updated: 14 October 2026

FAQ topics

Ordering & Delivery

How much does delivery cost?

Standard delivery is R99 for most orders in South Africa, and delivery is free on orders of R500 or more.

Topping up an ink or toner order with stationery is an easy way to reach the free-delivery amount.

How long does delivery take in South Africa?

Orders placed before 12 noon on a business day are dispatched the same day; orders placed after 12 noon are dispatched the next business day. Most deliveries arrive within 1 to 4 business days of dispatch, depending on where you are.

We dispatch by courier from our warehouse in Hilton, KwaZulu-Natal, or from our stores in Cape Town and Gauteng.

Delivery area Time from dispatch
Johannesburg and Durban 1–2 business days
Cape Town 2–3 business days
Regional areas 3–4 business days
Outlying areas Up to 7 days

A business day is Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays. Special orders take longer; our sales team will confirm the lead time with you.

How do I track my online order?

Email trackmyorder@inkyshop.co.za with your order number and we will send you an update on your delivery.

Please also contact us on this address if your order is taking longer than the delivery times above.

What payment methods can I use online?

You can pay online by card, Instant EFT, buy now pay later, store card, mobile wallet or QR code app. All online payments are processed securely through PayFast.

  • Cards: Visa and Mastercard
  • Instant EFT: PayFast Instant EFT
  • Buy now, pay later: Payflex and Mobicred
  • Store card: RCS Store Card
  • Mobile wallets: Apple Pay and Samsung Pay
  • QR code apps: SnapScan, Zapper and Scan to Pay banking apps

PayFast is a PCI-DSS Level 1 compliant payment gateway, and The Inky Shop never sees your card or banking details.

What if I can't find the product I need?

Contact us and we can source it as a special order. Special orders are placed with a sales assistant, not through online checkout, and require full payment before we order from our supplier.

Once we have placed a special order with our supplier, it can't be cancelled or returned for a change of mind. Please read the special orders section of our returns policy before you order.

Does The Inky Shop have physical stores?

Yes. The Inky Shop has 14 stores across KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng and the Western Cape, plus stockists in Cape Town and Pretoria.

  • KwaZulu-Natal: Durban North, Hayfields, Hillcrest, Hilton, Midlands and Seadoone
  • Gauteng: Clearwater, Fourways and The Glen
  • Western Cape: Cape Gate, N1 City, Tokai, Tyger Valley and West Coast

Find addresses, trading hours and phone numbers on our store locator.

Ink & Toner Cartridges

How do I find the right cartridge for my printer?

Search our website using your printer's model number, which is usually printed on the front or top of the printer. Searching by printer model, rather than an old cartridge code, is the most reliable way to get a match.

See our guide on how to search for your cartridge, or ask any Inky Shop store. If our staff or our Cartridge Finder recommend a cartridge for the printer model you gave us and it doesn't fit, you can return it within 10 business days for an exchange or refund.

What is the difference between compatible, remanufactured and original (OEM) cartridges?

Original (OEM) cartridges are made by the printer brand, such as HP, Canon, Epson or Brother. Compatible cartridges are new cartridges made by a third party to fit the same printers. Remanufactured cartridges are original cartridges that have been cleaned, refilled and tested for reuse.

The Inky Shop sells compatible and original ink and toner for every major printer brand. Our compatible cartridges are newly manufactured, not remanufactured.

Are Inky Shop compatible cartridges as good as original cartridges?

Inky Shop compatible cartridges are newly manufactured to perform like the original, at a lower price. They are backed by a 6-month warranty against defects from the date of purchase or delivery.

If a compatible cartridge is faulty within that time, we will repair, replace or refund it. Read our returns policy for full details.

Will using alternative cartridges void my printer warranty?

No. Using a compatible (non-original) cartridge does not void your printer's warranty. Under South Africa's Consumer Protection Act, you have the right to choose which consumables you use, and a manufacturer can't require you to buy only its own cartridges.

Should I let my printer install firmware updates automatically?

No, not if you use compatible cartridges. Printer manufacturers use firmware updates to block non-original cartridge chips, so an automatic update can stop a working alternative cartridge from being recognised.

Switch off automatic updates in your printer's settings and install updates manually, only when you know an update fixes a real problem. Read more about firmware updates and alternative cartridges.

What should I do if my cartridge isn't printing properly?

First try our troubleshooting tips, which solve most printing problems. If the cartridge still isn't working, contact The Inky Shop and our team will help you get printing again.

If a cartridge is defective within 6 months of purchase, we will repair, replace or refund it. Bring a printed page showing the problem if you can.

Printers

Which printer should I buy?

Choose a printer based on what its cartridges cost to run, not only on the price of the printer. Over the life of a printer, ink or toner usually costs more than the printer itself.

Before you buy, check:

  • the price of the cartridges the printer uses
  • the page yield, which is how many pages each cartridge prints
  • whether compatible cartridges or refills are available
  • how other brands compare

Contact The Inky Shop for free advice, or read our printer buying tips.

Is an HP DeskJet Advantage the same as an HP DeskJet Ink Advantage?

Yes, they are the same printer range. HP often shortens “DeskJet Ink Advantage” to “DeskJet Advantage” or “Ink Advantage” on packaging and in marketing.

The range is HP's budget line, designed to use higher-yield, lower-cost ink cartridges.

Refills, Recycling & Loyalty

Can I get my ink cartridge refilled?

Yes, many inkjet cartridges can be refilled at selected Inky Shop stores, which saves money and reduces waste. Not every cartridge can be refilled, so contact your nearest store to check yours and confirm it offers refills.

Refills carry a 100% money-back satisfaction guarantee: if a refill doesn't perform to your satisfaction, we refund the cost of the refill. Learn more about our ink refill service.

How can I recycle my empty ink cartridges?

The best way to recycle an empty inkjet cartridge with The Inky Shop is to have it refilled at one of our refill stores. Refilling reuses your cartridge instead of throwing it away, and costs less than buying a new one.

Rather than collecting empty cartridges, our inkjet refill service is our recycling initiative. Bring your empty cartridge in a sealed bag to a refill store as soon as possible after it runs out.

How does the Inky Shop loyalty programme work?

You earn loyalty points worth 20% of what you spend on inkjet refills, and once you reach 90 points your next refill is free, subject to terms and conditions. Join in-store by giving the sales assistant your email address or cell number.

Read more about our loyalty customer programme.

Returns, Warranty & Guarantee

What is The Inky Shop's returns policy?

You can return a stocked item within 7 days of purchase or delivery if it is new, unopened and in its original packaging. Defective products can be returned within 6 months for a repair, replacement or refund.

Opened, non-faulty cartridges you selected yourself can't be returned, so please check your printer model before opening. Our policy complies with the Consumer Protection Act and the ECT Act. Read the full returns policy.

How do I return something I bought online?

Email online@inkyshop.co.za with your order number, and our team will reply within 24 hours with return instructions.

For change-of-mind returns you pay the cost of returning the item. If we sent the wrong item or it arrived damaged, we cover the return costs. Refunds go back to your original payment method.

What warranty do Inky Shop products have?

All products carry a 6-month warranty from the date of purchase or delivery, whichever is later, unless stated otherwise. Some hardware has a longer manufacturer's warranty, which is shown in the box.

Stationery, Schools & Businesses

Does The Inky Shop sell stationery?

Yes. The Inky Shop sells office and school stationery, including notebooks and paper, writing instruments, filing and organisation, adhesives and correction, and cutting and measuring tools.

Shop our stationery range online or in any Inky Shop store.

Do you supply small businesses, home offices and schools?

Yes. The Inky Shop supplies printer cartridges, stationery and office equipment to small businesses, home offices and schools across South Africa. We can provide quotations and VAT invoices.

Bulk pricing and business accounts are available to qualifying businesses and schools, subject to approval once the required application documents have been completed. Email online@inkyshop.co.za to request a quote or an account application.

Contact

How can I contact The Inky Shop?

Call your regional team or email online@inkyshop.co.za. Online support is available Monday to Friday, 8am to 4:30pm, excluding public holidays.

  • KwaZulu-Natal: 033 342 6686
  • Gauteng: 011 467 4108
  • Western Cape: 021 554 3924
  • Head office: 033 345 1175

Store phone numbers are listed on each store page.