Brother Refresh EZ Print Subscription Service - Revision history

Bythmusters: Added Cargo template in place of Infobox, moved to Product

2026-01-29T18:43:34Z

Added Cargo template in place of Infobox, moved to Product

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:43, 29 January 2026
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	{{~~InfoboxProductLine~~		{{ProductCargo
	\| ~~Title~~ = ~~Brother Refresh~~ Service		\|ArticleType=Service
	\| ~~Release Year~~ = ~~2021~~		\|Category=Printing, Subscription
	\| ~~Product Type~~ = ~~Subscription-as-a-Service~~		\|Company=Brother Industries Ltd.
	\| ~~In Production~~ = Yes		\|Description=
	\| ~~Official~~ Website = [https://www.brother-usa.com/supplies/subscription-info#plans Brother Refresh]		\|InProduction=Yes
	~~\| Logo = Brother Refresh 02.png~~		\|Logo=Brother Refresh 02.png
			\|ProductLine=
			\|ReleaseYear=2021
			\|Website=[https://www.brother-usa.com/supplies/subscription-info#plans Brother Refresh]
	}}		}}

	The '''[[Brother Industries Ltd.]]''': '''Refresh Program Subscription Service''' is an opt-in Subscription-as-a-Service launched in August 2021. The program's purpose is to automatically re-order and deliver Brother consumable products, such as ink and toner cartridges, to subscribed individuals and businesses at a lower cost. New cartridges are sent when an eligible Brother printer detects that its current cartridges are low. Various plans are available for black-and-white laser, inkjet, or color laser printers based on the amount of pages the subscriber believes they will print each month. These plans prevent the subscriber from printing in excess of the agreed number of pages.		The '''[[Brother Industries Ltd.]]''': '''Refresh Program Subscription Service''' is an opt-in Subscription-as-a-Service launched in August 2021. The program's purpose is to automatically re-order and deliver Brother consumable products, such as ink and toner cartridges, to subscribed individuals and businesses at a lower cost. New cartridges are sent when an eligible Brother printer detects that its current cartridges are low. Various plans are available for black-and-white laser, inkjet, or color laser printers based on the amount of pages the subscriber believes they will print each month. These plans prevent the subscriber from printing in excess of the agreed number of pages.

Keith: removed tone notice

2025-08-27T19:09:48Z

removed tone notice

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:09, 27 August 2025
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	~~{{ToneWarning}}~~

	{{InfoboxProductLine		{{InfoboxProductLine
	\| Title = Brother Refresh Service		\| Title = Brother Refresh Service

Beanie Bo: tone and clarity changes

2025-08-27T18:02:36Z

tone and clarity changes

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:02, 27 August 2025
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	}}		}}

	The '''[[Brother Industries Ltd.]]''': '''Refresh Program Subscription Service''' is an opt-in Subscription-as-a-Service launched in August 2021. The program ~~claims~~ to automatically re-order and deliver ~~genuine~~ Brother consumable products, such as ink and toner cartridges, to subscribed individuals and businesses at a lower cost. New cartridges are sent when an eligible Brother printer detects that its current cartridges are low. Various plans are available for black-and-white laser, inkjet, or color laser printers based on the amount of pages the subscriber believes they will ~~be printing~~ each month. These plans ~~then~~ prevent the subscriber from printing in excess of the agreed number of pages.		The '''[[Brother Industries Ltd.]]''': '''Refresh Program Subscription Service''' is an opt-in Subscription-as-a-Service launched in August 2021. The program's purpose is to automatically re-order and deliver Brother consumable products, such as ink and toner cartridges, to subscribed individuals and businesses at a lower cost. New cartridges are sent when an eligible Brother printer detects that its current cartridges are low. Various plans are available for black-and-white laser, inkjet, or color laser printers based on the amount of pages the subscriber believes they will print each month. These plans prevent the subscriber from printing in excess of the agreed number of pages.

	==Subscription ~~Claims~~==		==Subscription model==
	Brother offers fourteen ~~different~~ plans based on ~~what~~ type ~~of printer the subscriber uses~~ and how many pages they ~~want to be able~~ to print each month.<ref>{{Cite web \|title=Refresh EZ Print Subscription Service \|url=https://www.brother-usa.com/supplies/subscription-info \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250816223129/https://www.brother-usa.com/supplies/subscription-info \|archive-date=16 Aug 2025 \|access-date=16 Aug 2025 \|website=Brother}}</ref> After ~~monthly~~ pages are used, the subscriber ~~is unable to~~ print ~~from their printer~~ until the following month. ~~Depending on the plan~~, ~~a certain number of~~ unused pages ~~from each month~~ roll over to the next. ~~The~~ plans also provide in-store credit ~~on purchase~~ and allow subscribers to accrue additional credit ~~by printing~~. ~~Plans range from free to $59.99/month. Certain~~ plans are ~~also~~ listed as "Best for Business" and include drum replacement for laser printers. Only certain models of printers, called "Refresh Ready," are eligible for a Refresh EZ Print subscription.		Brother offers fourteen plans, ranging from free to $59.99/month, based on the consumer's printer type and how many pages they intend to print each month.<ref>{{Cite web \|title=Refresh EZ Print Subscription Service \|url=https://www.brother-usa.com/supplies/subscription-info \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250816223129/https://www.brother-usa.com/supplies/subscription-info \|archive-date=16 Aug 2025 \|access-date=16 Aug 2025 \|website=Brother}}</ref> After allotted pages are used, the subscriber may no longer print additional pages until the following month when the allotment resets. However, some plans allow for unused pages to roll over into the next month.

			In addition to ink cartridge subscription, the plans also provide in-store credit and allow subscribers to accrue additional credit when using their printer. Some plans are listed as "Best for Business" and include drum replacement for laser printers. Only certain models of printers, called "Refresh Ready," are eligible for a Refresh EZ Print subscription.
	{\| class="wikitable"		{\| class="wikitable"
	\|+Black-and-White Laser Plans		\|+Black-and-White Laser Plans

Illerfish2: Removal of irrelevant and non-informative sections "Subscription History" and "Case Study." Re-write to correct false information and persuasive tone, fixed source links that don't lead anywhere, added archived sources.

2025-08-16T23:28:24Z

Removal of irrelevant and non-informative sections "Subscription History" and "Case Study." Re-write to correct false information and persuasive tone, fixed source links that don't lead anywhere, added archived sources.

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Emanuele: moved infobox

2025-08-13T06:13:54Z

moved infobox

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:13, 13 August 2025
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			{{ToneWarning}}

	{{InfoboxProductLine		{{InfoboxProductLine
	\| Title = Brother Refresh Service		\| Title = Brother Refresh Service
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	\| Logo = Brother Refresh 02.png		\| Logo = Brother Refresh 02.png
	}}		}}
	~~{{ToneWarning}}~~
	The Brother Industries Ltd.: '''Refresh Program Subscription Service''' is a Subscription-as-a-Service ('''SubS''') launched in August 2021. The program claims to offer domestic and business users the advantage of an on-demand, lower-cost printing solution that provides genuine Brother consumables directly to their door, without the need for end-user consumable management.		The '''[[Brother Industries Ltd.]]''': '''Refresh Program Subscription Service''' is a Subscription-as-a-Service ('''SubS''') launched in August 2021. The program claims to offer domestic and business users the advantage of an on-demand, lower-cost printing solution that provides genuine Brother consumables directly to their door, without the need for end-user consumable management.

	The [https://www.brother-usa.com/supplies/refresh-smart-delivery Brother Refresh] service currently offers two programs: '''EZ Auto Reordering''' (abbreviated as '''EZ-ARP'''), where the end-user pays only to replace a depleted cartridge or '''EZ Print Subscription''' (abbreviated as '''EZ-PSP'''), where the the user pays per page printed.		The [https://www.brother-usa.com/supplies/refresh-smart-delivery Brother Refresh] service currently offers two programs: '''EZ Auto Reordering''' (abbreviated as '''EZ-ARP'''), where the end-user pays only to replace a depleted cartridge or '''EZ Print Subscription''' (abbreviated as '''EZ-PSP'''), where the the user pays per page printed.

AirborneBandit: Capitalization, added some references.

2025-08-12T23:11:29Z

Capitalization, added some references.

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Keith: Deleted unfinished section on subscriptions which would likely have been out-of-scope for the article

2025-03-17T10:03:02Z

Deleted unfinished section on subscriptions which would likely have been out-of-scope for the article

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:03, 17 March 2025
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	'''<nowiki/>'To change and reposition the existing printing business to one that is clearly defined for corporate profitability enhancement'.'''		'''<nowiki/>'To change and reposition the existing printing business to one that is clearly defined for corporate profitability enhancement'.'''

	~~==Subscription: The Birth==~~

	~~======'When You Cannot Thrive, Seek Rent to Survive'======~~
	~~''(work-in-progress)''~~


	~~'''Brother Business Segment Return 2024'''~~
	~~{\| class="wikitable"~~
	!
	~~!Printing & Solutions~~
	~~!Personal & Home~~
	~~!Machinery~~
	~~!Network & Contents~~
	~~!Domino~~
	~~!Other~~
	\|-
	~~\|Sales Revenue~~
	~~\|'''58.92%'''~~
	~~\|6.64%~~
	~~\|15.22%~~
	~~\|7.00%~~
	~~\|10.41%~~
	~~\|1.78%~~
	\|-
	~~\|Segement Profit~~
	~~\|'''72.50%'''~~
	~~\|5.55%~~
	~~\|13.61%~~
	~~\|2.50%~~
	~~\|5.42%~~
	~~\|0.55%~~
	\|-
	~~\|Operation Profit~~
	~~\|'''73.57%'''~~
	~~\|5.56%~~
	~~\|13.77%~~
	~~\|2.22%~~
	~~\|1.03%~~
	~~\|1.11%~~
	\|}

	==References==		==References==

Keith: changed capitalisation to sentence case

2025-03-17T09:37:49Z

changed capitalisation to sentence case

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:37, 17 March 2025
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	\|}		\|}

	==Subscription ~~Eligibility~~==		==Subscription eligibility==
	Brother currently lists [https://www.brother-usa.com/supplies/subscription-info/eligible-printers/products#sort=%40productcataloglistprice%20descending these printers] available to enter the Refresh program. The printer can either be "Refresh-ready" (with Refresh EZ-Print Subscription ink and toner cartridges included) or activated post-purchase via the Brother website. Once the printer is activated and enrolled to the Refresh service, only cartridges or toner supplied by Brother can be used.		Brother currently lists [https://www.brother-usa.com/supplies/subscription-info/eligible-printers/products#sort=%40productcataloglistprice%20descending these printers] available to enter the Refresh program. The printer can either be "Refresh-ready" (with Refresh EZ-Print Subscription ink and toner cartridges included) or activated post-purchase via the Brother website. Once the printer is activated and enrolled to the Refresh service, only cartridges or toner supplied by Brother can be used.

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	\|}		\|}

	======False or ~~Misleading Promotion~~======		======False or misleading promotion======

	*Brother clearly advertises color plans in the '''EZ Print''' program yet no color printers are currently eligible.<ref>[https://www.brother-usa.com/supplies/subscription-info/eligible-printers/products#sort=%40productcataloglistprice%20descending EZ-Print Eligibility List]</ref>		*Brother clearly advertises color plans in the '''EZ Print''' program yet no color printers are currently eligible.<ref>[https://www.brother-usa.com/supplies/subscription-info/eligible-printers/products#sort=%40productcataloglistprice%20descending EZ-Print Eligibility List]</ref>
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	It states: ''based on monthly subscription cost in U.S. for Mono Laser Power Plan vs. average cost per page of eligible like standard capacity cartridges. Savings will vary based on Refresh EZ Print Subscription plan selected.''		It states: ''based on monthly subscription cost in U.S. for Mono Laser Power Plan vs. average cost per page of eligible like standard capacity cartridges. Savings will vary based on Refresh EZ Print Subscription plan selected.''

	======Obfuscated or ~~Misleading Claim~~======		======Obfuscated or misleading claim======

	*No color laser or inkjet printers are included in Brother's claimed subscription discount comparison.		*No color laser or inkjet printers are included in Brother's claimed subscription discount comparison.
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	Brother offers a '''10% discount on all orders''' of genuine ink & toner when subscribed to the EZ Auto Reorder program. The Program also enables the end-user to select a higher-yield cartridge if required.		Brother offers a '''10% discount on all orders''' of genuine ink & toner when subscribed to the EZ Auto Reorder program. The Program also enables the end-user to select a higher-yield cartridge if required.

	======Obfuscated or ~~Misleading Claim~~======		======Obfuscated or misleading claim======

	*No inkjet printers are currently eligible for the '''EZ-ARP''' yet Brother promotes "Ink & Toner Delivered Automatically" on the program page.		*No inkjet printers are currently eligible for the '''EZ-ARP''' yet Brother promotes "Ink & Toner Delivered Automatically" on the program page.

	==Subscription ~~Analysis~~==		==Subscription analysis==

	=====Case ~~Study~~=====		=====Case study=====
	[[File:MFCL2710DW EZ-Print.png\|thumb\|500x500px]]		[[File:MFCL2710DW EZ-Print.png\|thumb\|500x500px]]
	To investigate Brother's claim for their purported savings in the '''EZ-Print''' program, we used the listed legal disclaimer as a basis for the setup:		To investigate Brother's claim for their purported savings in the '''EZ-Print''' program, we used the listed legal disclaimer as a basis for the setup:
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	*the end-user has a broader choice of consumables.		*the end-user has a broader choice of consumables.

	======EZ Print ~~Cost Comparison Matrix~~======		======EZ Print cost comparison matrix======
	{\| class="wikitable"		{\| class="wikitable"
	!		!
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	\|}		\|}

	======False or ~~Misleading Claim~~======		======False or misleading claim======
	As the above data illustrates, Brother's claim that the program can '''"save the end-user up to 50%"''' is purposefully misleading. They do this by using the following methods:		As the above data illustrates, Brother's claim that the program can '''"save the end-user up to 50%"''' is purposefully misleading. They do this by using the following methods:

	#'''Scenario ~~Manipulation~~''': Brother creates a situation where the user runs with the service for only a month, ending the program before the billing cycle before or prior to the auto-replenishment alert.		#'''Scenario manipulation''': Brother creates a situation where the user runs with the service for only a month, ending the program before the billing cycle before or prior to the auto-replenishment alert.
	#'''Comparing ~~Different Programs~~''': this is a clear misrepresentation. Here Brother relates Pay-Per-Page to Pay-Per-Cartridge, a false and misleading comparison. The matrix shows us that the Brother price is roughly half that of the next supplier, but here the user '''owns the cartridge''' bought from Staples and only the '''rents the ability to print a certain number of pages''' from Brother.		#'''Comparing different programs''': this is a clear misrepresentation. Here Brother relates Pay-Per-Page to Pay-Per-Cartridge, a false and misleading comparison. The matrix shows us that the Brother price is roughly half that of the next supplier, but here the user '''owns the cartridge''' bought from Staples and only the '''rents the ability to print a certain number of pages''' from Brother.

	We note also that should the end-user run with the program for a year, then the Brother program is the most expensive option for printing.		We note also that should the end-user run with the program for a year, then the Brother program is the most expensive option for printing.

	======EZ Auto Reorder ~~Brother Cost Matrix~~======		======Brother EZ Auto Reorder cost matrix======
	{\| class="wikitable"		{\| class="wikitable"
	!		!
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	''<small>NB: Brother only listed here. All other competitor data remains identical to the EZ Print Cost Comparison Matrix.</small>''		''<small>NB: Brother only listed here. All other competitor data remains identical to the EZ Print Cost Comparison Matrix.</small>''

	======Validated ~~Claim~~======		======Validated claim======
	The EZ Auto Reorder subscription offers the end-user a '''10% discount''' on cartridges while they are enrolled in program. This reduces the cost-per-cartridge by $4.80 when the product is supplied directly from Brother.		The EZ Auto Reorder subscription offers the end-user a '''10% discount''' on cartridges while they are enrolled in program. This reduces the cost-per-cartridge by $4.80 when the product is supplied directly from Brother.

	==Subscription ~~History~~==		==Subscription history==

	======Overview======		======Overview======
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	The post war years saw significant Japanese government focus on industrialization.<ref>Mosk, Carl (August 12, 2023) [https://eh.net/encyclopedia/japanese-industrialization-and-economic-growth/ "Japanese Industrialization and Economic Growth"] Economic History Association. Retrieved February 8, 2025</ref> And by the early '''1960's''' and '''1970's''', Japan's electronics manufacturing sector was not only mature but had rapidly expanded. Facts such as a large national labor pool, new access to western technology and the skill-to-cost benefits from earlier government investment, quickly made Japanese manufacturers the leaders in high-quality, low-cost electronic products. Brother too, benefited from this economic environment. It invested heavily in the technology sector and by '''1971''', released a product that would change the company direction and growth into the foreseeable future: a high-speed, '''dot-matrix printer'''.		The post war years saw significant Japanese government focus on industrialization.<ref>Mosk, Carl (August 12, 2023) [https://eh.net/encyclopedia/japanese-industrialization-and-economic-growth/ "Japanese Industrialization and Economic Growth"] Economic History Association. Retrieved February 8, 2025</ref> And by the early '''1960's''' and '''1970's''', Japan's electronics manufacturing sector was not only mature but had rapidly expanded. Facts such as a large national labor pool, new access to western technology and the skill-to-cost benefits from earlier government investment, quickly made Japanese manufacturers the leaders in high-quality, low-cost electronic products. Brother too, benefited from this economic environment. It invested heavily in the technology sector and by '''1971''', released a product that would change the company direction and growth into the foreseeable future: a high-speed, '''dot-matrix printer'''.

	======Segment ~~Reliance~~======		======Segment reliance======

	Into the '''1990's''', Brother identified its Printing & Solutions ('''P&S''') segment as a global category for growth and shifted significant resources directly towards this market. And while Brother maintained its leadership in core categories such as industrial sewing, machine tools and parts, the company continued to make further gains through P&S and in electronic products such as labeling. The returns in these segments continued to provide Brother capital for expansion. They developed product lines that took advantage of broadening demand, not only through industrial buyers to whom Brother traditionally catered, but with small office and home office users ('''SOHO''') who began to purchase Brother's products for their high reliability and reasonable cost. By the mid-1990's Brother had a mature and robust printing portfolio and had released many successful and profitable lines:		Into the '''1990's''', Brother identified its Printing & Solutions ('''P&S''') segment as a global category for growth and shifted significant resources directly towards this market. And while Brother maintained its leadership in core categories such as industrial sewing, machine tools and parts, the company continued to make further gains through P&S and in electronic products such as labeling. The returns in these segments continued to provide Brother capital for expansion. They developed product lines that took advantage of broadening demand, not only through industrial buyers to whom Brother traditionally catered, but with small office and home office users ('''SOHO''') who began to purchase Brother's products for their high reliability and reasonable cost. By the mid-1990's Brother had a mature and robust printing portfolio and had released many successful and profitable lines:

Keith: added tonewarning as there are a number of points where things are stated in a non-neutral way (i.e. the wiki's voice having opinions about things) and there also appears to be original research

2025-03-06T20:18:12Z

added tonewarning as there are a number of points where things are stated in a non-neutral way (i.e. the wiki's voice having opinions about things) and there also appears to be original research

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:18, 6 March 2025
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	\| Logo = Brother Refresh 02.png		\| Logo = Brother Refresh 02.png
	}}		}}
			{{ToneWarning}}
	The Brother Industries Ltd.: '''Refresh Program Subscription Service''' is a Subscription-as-a-Service ('''SubS''') launched in August 2021. The program claims to offer domestic and business users the advantage of an on-demand, lower-cost printing solution that provides genuine Brother consumables directly to their door, without the need for end-user consumable management.		The Brother Industries Ltd.: '''Refresh Program Subscription Service''' is a Subscription-as-a-Service ('''SubS''') launched in August 2021. The program claims to offer domestic and business users the advantage of an on-demand, lower-cost printing solution that provides genuine Brother consumables directly to their door, without the need for end-user consumable management.

InTransparencyWeTrust at 12:36, 2 March 2025

2025-03-02T12:36:18Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:36, 2 March 2025
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	<references />		<references />
	{{DEFAULTSORT:Brother Refresh Subscription Service}}		{{DEFAULTSORT:Brother Refresh Subscription Service}}
			[[Category:Brother]]
	[[Category:Subscription-based services]]		[[Category:Subscription-based services]]
	~~[[Category:Printers]]~~