Epson, which has been battling to remove non-genuine printer cartridges from the local market, has appointed Synnex as a Gold Seal distributor.

Synnex has been distributing Epson consumables sing October 2004, but the hardware relationship goes back to a year earlier than that.Now the two have stepped up their commitment in a relationship that helps Epson ensure genuine consumables are getting to the market.Synnex says it plans to “heavily push the Epson Gold Seal program to encourage resellers to purchase through authorised channels”.Managing Director Frank Sheu said, “We are pleased to have gained gold status. Part of the whole Gold Seal status program is to ensure that the channel gets genuine product and we are more than capable of providing this”.

Adding Synnex to the partner program ensures the distirbutor is selling legit product explained Epson National Sales Manager Toni Pensa.”Gold Seal is a guarantee to resellers that they will be purchasing genuine consumables. This is a strategic move as Synnex is a prime consumables distributor. By adding Synnex to the program we are assuring resellers that any Epson consumables they buy from Synnex are genuine,” he said.Sheu said Synnex will target resellers who are presently selling unauthorised products or third-party compatibles.Victorian police recently charged an eBay sales outfit selling what it claims were counterfeit cartridges worth up to $130,000.