Purchased 4 ribbons from separate sources at 30% of "new" at office store. Using old dot matrix printer to make 2 part forms for low cost dog immuniztion clinic....ribbons worked for about 25 pages then lightened to unuseable. Original ribbons worked for 100s. Searched internet and found solutions to reink...managed to get a little more use. These ribbons were just old, sealed, but dried out. No expiration date should be clue. Would be a big problem in office with deadlines...okay for 501c3 volunteer retirees. Next year will buy new and hope they aren't dried out too