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Thread ID: 45210	2004-05-14 02:43:00	How to get Printer Ink costs down !	Digby (677)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
236457	2004-05-18 20:07:00	Interesting that refills are working for a few people. Simple answer - print less. I think we should do some form of test at PCW, but the thing is that as soon as the models change it becomes irrelevant. More interesting would be the ink version of Macdonalds Big Mac parity (where you compare the cost of Big Macs in each country and convert to one currency to see where is the cheapest). Laser is way cheap for B&W, I print a reasonable amount (for work) and I use a toner cartridge about once every two years (so, costs me maybe $2 per week? Actually, that sounds really high.). I do get annoyed when my daughter prints off the inkjet in pink for some draft speech she decides not to deliver. My wife's reasoning "it evens the colour in the cartridges" (which are separate and can be changed when they run out individually). There's no helping some people. robo.	robo (205)
236458	2004-05-18 22:12:00	...I have fond memories of coming back from work one day to find the person I was flatting with at the time had not only signed up to dozens of mailing lists (with my email addy) but upon receiving 2000 odd jokes/cartoons and other such rubbish had proceeded to print the entire lot out... Then presented me with the fact they had not only used up all the ink in the printer but had also run my spare cartridges empty.... AND then asked me if I wanted to read any of what they had printed because in their opinion it was rubbish and they were about to throw the entire pile of printed paper in the trash.	metla (154)
236459	2004-05-18 22:27:00	IMHO the only practicable way to keep costs down (if you require good/top quality output) is to use a laser for B&W, and buy a printer with separate ink cartridges and no fancy electronics in the cartridge itself so that you can run individual colours dry. I have stuck with HP lasers (currently a 1200) and Canon inkjets for those reasons and have found my overall printing costs to be very acceptable. I have only twice tried non-oem ink cartridges and both times I returned them for credit because I could not get the same quality printing standard. My costs were much higher before I bought the laser though, I have a box of empty Canon ink carridges here worth the equivalent of a good used car. I keep them to remind me of the "good old days" in case my spectacles ever develop a rosy tint! Cheers Billy 8-{)	Billy T (70)
236460	2004-05-18 23:41:00	Some great replies - very varied - thanks. I agree that the utlimate for the avarage home user would be a black and white laser and a colour ink jet. I peronsally do use draft mode where I can, but it is harder to read and you could not send it to anyone or want to keep it for long term reference. Also I use refillled cartidges from Cartridge World which I have found OK. I did use refill ink in a bottle and Calidad in my previous printer but I would not do that in my latest one as it is a medium range model and I would not risk putting unknown inks in it. It is an Epson 680. Thanks for your input Rob, a PC World test would be great, but I take your point about changing models, but there may be some trends that developed. The McDonalds Internation comparison is a good idea also. But is acknlowdged that the printer manufacturers make a fortune on their ink cartidges so they would all over the world not just NZ. Digby	Digby (677)
236461	2004-05-19 02:57:00	> ...I have fond memories of coming back from work one day...... How long did they spend in IC? :p :D	Susan B (19)
236462	2004-05-20 06:33:00	I get my cartridges refilled by Cartridge World (www.cartridgeworld.co.nz). and the cost is half that of a new cartridge. They also use authentic inks ie. HP, Canon etc. I know there are cheaper ways still but quality is important to me.	Goodison (5404)
236463	2004-05-20 11:52:00	Here's where I get mine Toner Express (http://www.tonerexpress.co.nz/)	cadifan (286)
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