HP ink jet cartridges = extortion?

You've met the reason why inkjets are cheap: they sell them at or below cost (and bundled into computer sets for free), and make the money back on the cartridges. It's not just HP, it's all inkjets. If cost per page worries you, try laser; the cartridges cost a heck of a lot more, but they PRINT quite a heck of a lot more too, and don't dry out like ink does. If you're printing THAT much, then you may want laser anyway -- they're heavier duty printers than inkjets.

Since you say you don't want a new printer atm, though, you could look into off-brand inkjet refilling solutions. They're all funky brands nobody's ever heard of, and it voids your warranty if it clogs your printer, but it's cheaper than buying new.

I agree 101 % . I was reading an article a few months ago about how ink barons were holding the word to ransom, it is ridiculous. And especially all the crap about about using genuine manufacturers cartridges.

like you say its a rip off, when i look for a printer i always ask how much the cartridges are and also look around the supermarkets for generic ones which are usually half price.

I have even filled up the black cartridge using syringe and a bottle of ink for a fountain pen and it works.

Your not the only one who grudges the cost of cartridges!!!

Pull out the phone book - many office supplies offer refill services - and the next time you buy a printer, check the refill prices first....(I had an HP - which is why I have a samsung laser printer now - the printer was cheaper than a couple cartridges of black, so I said "wrap it up, I'll take it!")

I agree dude. Have a hp printer myself. last time got the cartridges filled at some photo place and they didn't work. Printed all in green, red etc. Print was smeary So we're stuck with it. Consolation is that ALL printer cartridges are expensive. It's a passing technology; in 10 yrs printer cartridges will be gone.

Not all, but most Walgreens do. Most HP cartridges can be refilled. Be aware though that on HP printers the actual print head is on the cartridge, and are not meant to be used forever. They will eventually fail.

I agree, they are very expensive. The next printer I get, I'll check the prices of the refills first.

You can get them 'filled' at some of the office stores....

By the way Canon is worse, I have a scanner/printer, and the refills are over 100 dollars, I never use it.

I purchased this printer because it stated I was allowed to print with only black ink. I found out that even with black ink printing, it still uses a small amout of color for ….get this…keeping the heads clean. Ridiculous. Thus, the printer FORCES you to buy more ink to even print if one cartridge runs out. This is clear UNFAIR BUSINESS PRACTICES AND EXTORTION BY MECHANICAL MEANS.

Extortion (also called shakedown, outwresting, and exaction) is a criminal offense of obtaining money, property, or services from a person, entity, or institution, through coercion….Coercion is the practice of forcing another party to act in an involuntary manner (whether through action or inaction) by use of intimidation or threats or some other form of pressure or force

A consumer pays good money to buy EACH ink cartridge and they are legally entitled to use the ink in each cartridge until they all run out then the consumer can decide whether or not to buy more ink of one or more colors. HOWEVER, Epson intentionally and maliciously PREVENTS the consumer from using the ink they purchased by building in features in their printers that STOPS the consumer from using the remaining ink they purchased UNTIL the consumer pays Epson more money by way of buying more of their products. Epson is EXTORTING consumers by using mechanical means to eliminate a consumers’ FREE WILL and to put pressure on the consumers to FORCE them to pay Epson more money by way of BLOCKING a consumer from using the remaining cartridges they purchased that still contain ink.

THIS IS CLEARLY ILLEGAL. IT IS UNFAIR BUSINESS PRACTICES AND EXTORTION BY MECHANICAL MEANS! It is shameful what the Printer/Ink manufacturers are doing out of greed. These manufacturers are truly doing EVIL to consumers (e.g. the small cartridges and preventing consumers from using the ink they purchased just to force them to pay them more money).

you can buy refill kits but they generally suck, and yes i agree it is a ripoff. try the refill solution, there are instructions on the internet that show you how to trick the printer into thinking you put in a fresh cartridge. good luck!

almost everyone asking a question in reply of a question, ,,, but i tell u all......... HP printers have a strong smart chip (all other brand's printers have, but hp printers have very bad chip) because in upper model printers of Hp,,, printer stop printing and give "ink system failure" error because of refilling....... so i suggest to use epson printer with CISS (Continuous Ink Supply System) such as "Epson Stylus Photo R230"............ for more information on this topic anyone can mail me...... i'll be very happy if i could help( mintu_singh01@yahoo.com)....... i had bad experience with HP printer.

Refills are your best bet, Check around town for a reputable place and have it refilled, be sure and ask for a guarantee, in case it doesn't work. If you have ANY issues, I'll send you one myself, on the house.

Just Ink