Rant: Cost of printer cartridges.

[fyxxer32]

I have a fairly good Lexmark Z52 that I use in my business and some family stuff. The refills are about $70, why so high? I see the prices on new printers and think sometimes it might just be better to throw away the printer and buy a new one. I have 3 donated printers here for my charity work, Lexmark 1100, Z23, and an HP 682c and none of the refills are less than 60-70 dollars. Ink can't be that high, what's the scam? It really hacks me off!!!!!!!!!!

[dlh75]

I agree.But the same can be said with a lot of things. They know people need these things so they charge whatever they feel like it. It sucks but nothing is cheap anymore.

[EndobioticChaos]

Good grief man! Where are you buying your ink? Staples.com has black ink at $30, and color at $41, for that model of printer! And I think if you go to Staples B&M, you can buy Staples brand for considerably less.

[discreet]

What EndobioticChaos said, I thought to myself ink couldnt have doubled in price since I last bought it eh? hehe Still, 40 bucks a catridge for a $25 printer is still no fun

[no1_vern]

The thing is the companies "found out" that they can make a profit off of the cartridges instead of the printer itself.

That is why the printer is ~ $100.00 instead of $250 to $300.

Of the typical cartridge about $35.00 is profit. If you have an older printer(i do) you might find it worth while to do refills for your cartridges. Otherwise you might void your warranty for the printer. That ensures the company makes a good profit off each printer sold.

You must include the cost of each cartridge in the price for buying a printer - something the normal cunsumer doesnt do. You MUST decide how long you will keep the printer, decide how many pages you will use per month, divide the cost by each page you will actually have "in hand" before putting up your money.

When I bought my Brother laser, I knew I would continue paying about 2 cents PER PAGE. My prices have come down a LITTLE but not much. My cartridges started at $65.00 from brother, now they are $45.00 from brother, but I can buy refilled(or refill myself for about $12.00) for $15.00 to $20.00 because my printer is out of warranty, and since I have had no problem using the "aftermarket" cartridges I am willing to take the risk of any damage I may do to my printer.

Vern

Staples is cheaper that buying from brother at $32.00.

[consumertalks]

I have the same exact printer. I just picked up a black cartridge for $30 at Target. A year ago it was $33 at Fred Meyer, so I don't know where you're buying them from.

[fyxxer32]

No Staples in around here yet. With tax I think the last pair I bought was at least $65. I tried the refill kits , either I'm too stupid or they are crap. Guess it's just anothe business expense deduction.

[thegladiatorgy]

The price of HP cartridges have been reduced significantly on the deskjet 5550 onwards. I think to about 20 bucks.

[consumertalks]

Originally posted by fyxxer32
No Staples in around here yet. With tax I think the last pair I bought was at least $65. I tried the refill kits , either I'm too stupid or they are crap. Guess it's just anothe business expense deduction.

Take the kit back to where you bought it, and pick up a new cartridge, then bring both to the counter. Tell them the refill kit didn't work, and you just want to get a new cartridge. I did this last year when my Lexmark Z52 needed new ink, and the people at Fred Meyer said it happens sometimes, and I had no problem returning the kit. Bottom line, you paid for a product that doesn't work as it should. If you don't get a refund or store credit it's on you!

[fyxxer32]

I did get a refund on the refill kits and applied it to OEM cartridges.