Brother MFC 1950MC thermal ribbon fax machine

I have had this machine (Brother MFC 1950 MC) for 10 years - it has always worked fine and I have kept it clean. I was receiving a fax and in the middle of the transmission - the ribbon ran out. I replaced it - and it picked up where it left off - as it always does - only suddenly the machine only printed on the "left" side of the page. I tried everything, cleaning printhead, changing to another ribbon cartridge, no luck. I had to go buy a new Brother Fax for my office.

I was going to pitch the old machine when I saw a used one just like it on Ebay for $10 + $16 shipping. Since I had several PC101 ribbons left and no other use for them - I emailed the seller and asked about the machine and he assured me it worked fine. I thought what the heck - I'll take the chance - can use it at the house and use up my ribbons. I finally got it and it does the same exact thing - only it only prints on the "right" side of the page. What are the odds. I am a schmuck!

I emailed Brother and they said to check for paper jam. There is no paper jam. My question - is it the printhead? I have sent an angry email to Ebay seller and can't believe he took me for $26 for a machine he had to know did not work. Now I have two that do the same thing - only on different sides of the paper.

Any help from anyone?? Thanks - EM