Sunday, November 07, 2004

Printers Go Thru Ink Like ...

Epson Stylus C80 Printers Go Thru Inkjet Cartridges Like ...

There are some really funny lines in here. See if you can add you own.
And I know just what he means! I've got an Epson 875DC, for photo printing. I almost never, ever print on it because the ink costs so much and it goes through it soooo damn quickly. I'd print over the network to the kid's HP because the ink would last so much longer.

Unlike back in the days of by Canon BJC410, you can't refill your own ink cartridges. Why not you ask? Well, it is the same kind of ink you can buy for the cartridges. No, it seems the manufacturers have decided that you need to buy more ink cartridges just from them. The have put a little chip into the ink cartridges, that decided when you have run out of ink. There may still be half a tank of ink, but if the chip decided you are done, you can't print anymore. And some manufacturers are trying to claim anyone who makes a 3rd party replacement ink has reverse engineered the chips in violation of the copyright act. Sick. Just plain sick.

Now you know why there are so many cheaper printers on the market these days. They are selling the hardware below cost, because they are sure they are going to make it up on selling you ink. And it seems certain companies want to make money so fast that they make people very uncomfortable to use their products. Good in the short term for money. But bad in the long run for the brand.