Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the second cartridge in this 2-pack cost so much less than the first?

Because the pricing ladder is steep. One 593-BBBU on its own is $30.35; this 2-pack is $42.21, so the second cartridge adds only $11.86 to the bill. Per cartridge the pack works out to $21.11, and against buying two singles at $60.70 you save $18.49. The pack price is not a misprint — it is how this family's multi-packs are priced at every step.

What is the practical case for one working cartridge plus one spare?

Continuity. A C2660DN that runs out of black stops being useful for everyday documents, and the fade warning does not always arrive at a convenient moment. With the second cartridge already on the shelf, the swap takes minutes and the reorder can happen calmly afterwards instead of as an emergency purchase.

What does the 2-pack do to our cost per page?

Two cartridges carry a combined rating of 12,000 pages. At $42.21 that brings the black cost down from about 0.51 cents a page on a single to roughly 0.35 cents a page — a drop of nearly a third, from nothing more than buying the spare at the same time as the cartridge you need now.

How should the spare cartridge be stored until it is needed?

Sealed in its packaging, lying flat, in a dry place out of direct sunlight and away from heat. Stored that way a toner cartridge waits patiently; when the first cartridge fades, fit the spare and let the pack's second half start its service. Rotate on a simple rule: the cartridge that arrived first goes into the machine first.

Who should skip the 2-pack and buy the single instead?

A very light user. If your C2660DN prints so little that one 6,000-page cartridge will last years, tying up money in a second cartridge that may sit until the machine itself is retired buys little. The pack rewards steady use; the single suits genuinely occasional printing.

Are both cartridges covered if one fails?

Yes — each cartridge carries the same 1-year warranty with 1-year free returns, whether it is the first out of the box or the spare fitted months later. The terms are on our shipping & returns page; support is available Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM CST, and orders ship from IL, PA, GA or CA.

Does it matter which of the two cartridges goes into the machine first?

No. The two 593-BBBU cartridges in this pack are identical units with the same 6,000-page rating, so either can be the working cartridge and either can be the spare. What matters is the note you make when the first one goes in: write the date on the carton or in a supplies log. That single habit tells you later how long a cartridge actually lasted in your C2660DN, which is the information that makes the next order a decision instead of a guess.

How should we handle the actual swap when the first cartridge fades?

Keep it simple and checkable. Take the spare 593-BBBU out of its packaging, confirm the code on the cartridge matches the one coming out, seat it, and print a few ordinary documents before you judge the result. Set the faded cartridge aside rather than discarding it immediately: if the new one prints cleanly from the first pages, the old cartridge was simply spent, and it can go. If output still looks wrong with a fresh cartridge fitted, the old one was not the whole story and you have kept the evidence.

How can we tell whether the pack really delivered its 12,000 pages?

Use the printer's page counter. Note the counter reading when each 593-BBBU goes in and again when it comes out; the difference is what that cartridge truly produced in your office. Two cartridges measured that way show whether your documents run close to the 6,000-page rating or well under it because of heavier coverage. That measured figure, not the headline rating, is what should drive your reorder timing and your choice of pack size next time.

What should we do with the empties once both cartridges are spent?

Collect them rather than scattering them into general waste one at a time. Keep each spent 593-BBBU in its carton until its replacement has proved itself, then check the recycling options available in your area — many office-supply and municipal programs accept spent toner cartridges, and a pair in their boxes is easy to hand over. Until they go, store empties apart from the sealed spare stock so nobody mistakes a finished cartridge for a fresh one during a hurried swap.

About This Dell C2660DN Black 2-Pack (593-BBBU)

Two compatible black cartridges for the Dell C2660DN, part number 593-BBBU, each rated at up to 6,000 pages — 12,000 pages in the box for $42.21, or $21.11 per cartridge. The second cartridge effectively costs $11.86 against the $30.35 single price, saving $18.49 over two separate purchases and cutting the black page cost to about 0.35 cents. The pack ships from IL, PA, GA or CA and is backed by a 1-year warranty and 1-year free returns. See the rest of the range on our Dell page.