The average cost of a new Zebra LP2844 printer is currently about $350, give or take. Some companies charge nearly $500 for this model!!! You can purchase brand new printers or you can try to save a little…well, a lot of money if you purchase a refurbished/used printer. A quick search of eBay returns quite a few legitimate listings (sellers with high Feedback ratings).
When you’re about to purchase a tag printer, you can go brand new or you can go previously-owned. Most if not all of the consignment software vendors sell hardware. The prices across the various vendors range between $350-$450 for the Zebra LP2844. The benefit of buying your tag printer from your software vendor, is compatibility. You get a guarantee that the printer is compatible with your software. Also, you’ll typically receive support for the first 30 days. e.g. installing the printer, troubleshooting issues, etc. After 30 days though, all bets are off. If tags stop lining up, if you move the printer and it stops working, etc. typically, your software vendor will not support the issue – not without paying a fee or being on a “plan”.
On the other end of the spectrum are the previously-owned printers. You can find a Zebra LP2844 on eBay for around $100. If you purchase from a reputable seller, you typically get a guarantee (exchange or money back). If you find a reputable computer technician (eh hem, like The Computer Peeps), you can get a tag printer up and running for a fraction of the price of a new one.
Do The Computer Peeps recommend buying the first tag printer you find on eBay? No. Do The Computer Peeps think there are options to consider? Yes.
We’re not trying to discourage you from purchasing hardware from your software vendor. There’s something to be said for purchasing everything “under one roof”. Sometimes however, the cost can be quite high. You have to ask yourself, “what am I getting for the money?” Just because you’re spending a ton of money doesn’t mean you’re getting something different or better. A printer that costs nearly $500 still won’t be supported 6 months after you purchase it.
Dean
I am a Software Developer, System Administrator, and consignment software specialist. I currently manage hundreds of consignment workstations, point of sale systems, and database servers all across North America and I am the developer of Peeps' Software, Peeps2Go, and Peeps' Consignor Login for iOS and Android. I've been helping consignment & resale store-owners since 2003. I started The Computer Peeps in February of 2010. Peeps' Software launched in 2016 and is now on hundreds of systems all across North America. I have successfully converted dozens of stores from all of the major consignment software systems. After 20 years of working with consignment stores, I understand the unique challenges consignment & resale store-owners face. From electrical issues in old buildings or strip malls, to advocating for them when their old consignment software keeps crashing.