HP printer cartridges

[kayofcircles]

Word of caution for those of you who own HP printers. We have two Deskjet printers and have bought our cartridges from Sam's Club in twin packs. The other day, I printed a "test" pic and it looked fine, so was about to print on the card blank when remembered that had some indications the day before that color cartridge was running low. Those of us who print cards/pics live in dread of cartridge running out in middle, so changed cartridge and did alignment and printed the nicest GREEN card you have seen. Unfortunately, a GREEN owl and babies was not exactly what I wanted. So, had just purchased another twin pack from Sam's and installed another color cartridge and got a "washed out" effect, but colors true again. Unhappy about "washed out" look, but can correct that somewhat. (And yes, checked all settings, cables, and my beloved cleaned innards of printer just to be on safe side.) I have now an obviously defective cartridge, so hoping to find a way that HP will either compensate us or replace it. I go to HP to discover that there is a six month warranty from "install date", I no longer have the "insert" with warranty stuff anyway, and there are "loopholes" at HP regarding proper storage. Have emailed them and might get lucky, but doubt it.

Sorry, got diverted into fussing. We have always been so busy buying the proper cartridge for whichever printer that we never noticed "expiration dates" on the packaging. Have no idea when the GREEN one may or may not have expired (threw outside package away long ago when using first cartridge out of twin pack), but discovered we have a color cartridge for hubby's printer that expires this month. Bottom line..watch for expiration dates, and anyone here need to do a lot of printing this month using a 17 color cartridge?? http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

[mjc]

Ink in a sealed container expires?

I guess it just isn't sealed very well or they design it to "set" after six months...more $$$ due to bad cartridges. Also check with Sam's they usually have a pretty good return policy.

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mjc
Links list:Computer Links (http://www.dreamwater.org/tech/mjc/index.htm)

Celts are the men that heaven made mad, For all their battles are merry and their songs are all sad.

[bassman]

Hello Kay,
I now have a better understanding of what you and your husband do with your computers. Not sure if you print cards and pics professionaly, but it seems you do an awful lot of color printing.
I know the upfront price is hard to swallow but I would strongly recommend a color laser for you. Look for small printer repair shops and let them know you are looking for a used color laser. These guys live and die by "turnover" and would be more then happy to find one for you.
Ink printers are very cheap to buy but very expensive to feed. Lasers are just the opposite. A toner refill can last 5 to 10 times longer then ink and only about half again as much to refill as new ink cartrages.
That starts to add up http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif
Good luck
Frank

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[Paleo Pete]

I'll vouch for that, my HP Desk Jet 400 used about 4 black cartridges at something like $25 each in the same period of time the HP Laser Jet series II printed over 3000 pages on a used toner cartridge. (the one that was in it when I got it) I have no idea how old the toner cartridge was, but a new one is around $50. Color might be a bit higher.

Anyway, the toner cartridge was still going strong after more than 3000 pages when the fuser died, no telling how much more life is left for it if I ever manage to fix the thing...so that comes out to about half the price of the ink I bought for the ink jet, possibly less.

The original purchase price of a laser jet is higher, but the long range operating costs are less. Laser jet print jobs also will not run or smear if you spill coffee on them like ink jets will. Been there, done that...they also usually produce near printing press quality. Ink jets can't come close.

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[integral]

Yes, HP Inkjet cardridges have a shelf life, sealed or not. Very often you can get away with using an old cardrige but not always. The process for manufacturaning these things is not easy, the print head is a sandwitch of silicon, plastic and metal, the ink is highly corrosive and tends to react in a nasty fashion with the adhesives used. That is why HP cannot guarentee operation past 6 months. I would hope that you will find some helpfull people in the support areas. Unfortunatly a lot of that is contracted out, so I cannot promise much.

Though I am a technician in the HP printhead process I do not and cannot speak officially for HP.

[Pianorak]

<<A toner refill can last 5 to 10 times longer then ink >>

I bought my Canon LBP-660 laser printer in 1997 and am still on the original toner. Admittedly its just black; colour may be a different ball game.

[Rick]

I don’t feel alone any longer.
Having gone to the local Office Supply and picked up Not 1 HP cartridge.
But 4 at $36.00 each (cyan , magenta , yellow and black)
Just to have them go bad in less than 6 months .

I also Now make it a point to check the expiration dates Myself and Not take what the store clerk hands me.

In regard to Laser printers
Re-manufactured Toner Cartridges can cost $60 each for Black
and $100 to $160 for New
New cartridges for the Color Laser Jet run about $125 each X 4 = $500
Color Toner Bottles refills run about $30 ( If you can use them)

A lot to think about Before you Pick up that New Color Laser

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To ERR is HUMAN
To REALLY screw things UP, YOU NEED a COMPUTER !

[Rick]

yet another server error http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/frown.gif
Double post

[This message has been edited by Rick (edited 12-13-2001).]

[kayofcircles]

Wow! $125 is a bit steep, but if goes and goes like Energizer bunny, I can see where savings comes in...eventually, lol. Got to admit though that I am more swayed by Pete's comment on the ink not running or smearing. Haven't had that problem, really, but assume that ink lasts longer maybe? Read an article about "fading" in Consumer Reports once, and would like to get as close to professional prints as is possible in a home office.

bassman: I make cards and restore pics..beloved runs a propane company here and is extremely busy this time of year, as you might imagine. I couldn't find my way back to the modem post, but we finally got his "fixed" by uninstalling the ethernet thingy..worked like a charm. (Thank you, mjc, and someone else whose name I cannot remember..sorry.) So, hubby is enjoying Internet access and trying to find the time to play a Flight Simulator game making the rounds in our area. Seems entire shop more interested in flying planes than driving delivery trucks..lol. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

Pete Sorry, I realized later that I should have posted this in Buying/Upgrading Advice. Just wanted to warn those..like

[Whyzman]

Kay,

When you're in the right, you've nothing to fear but fear itself! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

You're not alone in your car experience...things like that happen. Probably was just a "universe" test as to your resolve... http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/mad.gif http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

Actually you're probably doing HP a wonderful favor by pointing out that a particular run has a problem worth taking a look at. Due to your imparting of the knowledge that there's a problem going on, they might issue a notice to their vendors to pull particular dates from the shelves.
HP does not want to have unhappy campers in the arena where they make their most profit! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/eek.gif

You probably don't want to mess with the retailer (They'd probably drop the carts into one of their printers and they'd work wonderfully! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/frown.gif . Rather, contact HP directly and inform them of your dismay, your loyalty, and that you know since they are a company dedicated to customer service that they will make the situation right with you! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

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May all your dealings in life be win/win!

Whyzman

[Whyzman]

Sorry, double post! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/frown.gif

[This message has been edited by Whyzman (edited 12-17-2001).]