The Truth About Discount Ink Cartridges - Comments Page 3

I have used LD Products for a few years now and am satisfied with them, mainly because of the cost. The clarity of color and black is not as vivid however as the HP manufactured cartridges. Bob has said he couldn't see the difference, but I certainly can. Does anyone out there concur with me? If I have a picture to print, and if I want sharp colors, I have to use the HP brand.

I have a Lexmark Pro705. The printer will not recognize any other cartridges other than new Lexmark.

Of course, I knew that there are other inks that can be used other than those sold by the printer manufacturer, but when I went to the LD and 123inkjet webpages, I was astounded be the savings I would receive by purchasing their ink. Furthermore, I found that LD actually has a walkin brick and morter store about 100 miles from my home. This means they are a company I can deal with face to face if I actually have a problem with them. I realize that I probably won't save much money by driving to that store, but I occasionally get into that area (as I will at the end of this month), and I do plan to actually visit them and purchase some of their product. The only thing I am afraid of is if they don't have all of the cartridges I need. Their webpage (and that of 123inkjet, too) do not list the Cyan cartridge that I will surely need, though they do list the cartridge from the manufacturer at almost triple the price.

I have a Kodak ESP 5 printer/scanner and have been using cartridges from Inkgrabber.com with
good results. I have found that with some I have to run the nozzle cleaning function more than with the factory cartridges. Small inconvience for the difference in price. Can't comment on how long the picture prints last, but I appreciate the "heads up" on that difference. The printer accepted and functions showing ink levels etc. as oem cartridges.

My experience is limited to HP (4) and Brother (1) printers over at least a ten year period. I refilled my own cartridges for a few years, and had no dissapointments, but at some point I concluded that my "dirty" room was no longer than compatible with what was now expected from an ink cartridge.
I search on line and choose Inkfarm.com quite a few years ago. I have had one problem cartridge during this period and it was replaced immediately upon asking. They refunded cartridges that I returned because the printer had died. They gave me advertised discounts that had not been applied to an online order. I believe they do fill the cartridges they sell and while I do not know the source of their ink, it would appear that they exercise meticulous quality control. I just wish they sold more that printer ink. Oh yes, HP does its best to convince me to buy HP ink, but I think they are giving up. The current printer (OfficeJet Pro 8600 Plus) refuses to read ink level but since it is a home printer, I don't print lots of 200. Thus i can see when a cartridge is indeed empty --- and it is long after he HP warning that one of theirs is empty.
Gillette invented the current printer ink marketing plan --- give the holder away and charge for the refills. Gillette gave that up a few years ago.

I've used LD and other "refilled" cartridges in my HP OfficeJet Pro 7680, and invariably the print head has to be replaced (at about $70 a pop) after about half a cartridge is used. I went back to brand name because I was tired of always having to replace the print head. I'm surprised Bob that you didn't reference that and neither did any of the comments i can see. It can't be just me (it was two different printers of the same model).

Like most others I have been using remanufactured (or refilled) cartridges for several years.
I buy all of my refilled ink cartridges through "Amazon", and they will back their sales with a full refund if a problem occurs.
For this reason I will use nothing else in my printer but these refilled ink cartridges through Amazon.
I have had no problems with printer from the use of these cartridges, or the cartridges themselves.
Coincidentally I just received an order of same in today's mail. Cost per refilled ink cartridge .... .66 cents each.
Nuff said ')

Everyone seems to have an opinion on this subject. Here is mine. I will only use OEM inks in my printers and I only recommend new too machines that I service. Period.

I have both good(not perfect) and bad results with non OEM and refills. The quality is just not there. If you only print notes, I guess its fine, but for any real printing (resumes, project reports, etc)I will only use OEM ink.

One last note, if you are thinking about becoming Comp Tia A+ certified (a minimum for any computer service tech field) you will find a whole section on the perils of cheap ink. I feel the quality is worth the price. Enough said.

I'm with Dee on Lenmark. I have a X2470 that does the same thing her printer does - refuse to acknowledge the cartridge and give an Out Of Ink message. Something else that makes me despise Lenmark - I tried to use some purchased new cartridges (in the unopened box) that had sat on a shelf for over a year and the printer didn't recognize it. I've never found a chip in one of those cartridges, but something is doing this.

Some Walgreen Pharmacies will refill most ink cartridges at a greatly discounted cost. Depending on how busy they are in the photo department, it can sometimes be ready in thirty minutes or less. They refill both color and b\w cartridges,and test the cartidge before hand to ensure that it works properly before refilling.

I have refilled my own cartridges and bought refilled cartridges for years. I use older HP printers whose cartridges do not have chips. Refilling a black cartridge is so very simple and costs about $2.00. I can usually refill the cartridge 5-6 times. Color is a little more hassle, but if refilled promptly when the print quality drops, it is usually successful. I have purchased from ABC ink many times and have never had a problem with their cartridges. I have also used inksell.com.

For Canadians: I have been doing business with http://www.blankdvdmedia.com/ for 10 years or so and am quite satisfied with their compatible cartridges for the 2 Canon printers I've had.

I can't believe this. Sometimes I think I am so gullible. Last week I purchased an HP8600 printer at OfficeMax. When I asked the salesman for non-HP ink cartridges (knowing the originals supplied with the new printer were "not full sized"), he informed me that I would invalidate the one-year HP warrantee if I used generics. He said I could start using the off-brands after my one-year anniversary. So he sold me the expensive HPs. He also said because of this "one-year rule" OfficeMax didn't even have a compatible cartridge yet. Jeeeeeeez....

HP has found a new tactic in it OFFICE JET PRO line. They build an "expiration date" into the chip in the cartridges for the 8000 series inkjet. Cartridge wont work after a certain date, even if it is brand new. Have yet to find a remanufactured cartridge that works properly in this printer. Even the ones that say the chip is updated.

AI have also used replacement cartridges for years from the same source and never have had a problem of any kind,
However, on my new Canon, it does indicate that the ink is running low when it is not running low and is a know reaction by my supplier.
He even advises this fact in a printed advice that 'this will occur' when you buy the ink.
I do not see that as an impediment to the substantial savings I enjoy.

I think most peole have been around long enough to know that the printer manufacturers live well off the disgracefully high ink cartridge prices. They no doubt started the runours about damage and warranty.

Thank you for publishing this article on the inks. I have always wanted to try them but was afraid as I need my colors to be correct for my projects. I have always used HP INKs
I will be trying these when the ones I have on the shelf are gone.

Thanks again

inkjetsuperstore.com is a California company that I've used for years for refilling my laser cartridges for a Samsung laser printer saving about 60% off. One charge only for shipping no matter how much you buy, and they have occasional specials like additional discounts and free shipping if you are paying attention to their occasional emails. 100% satisfaction so far.

inkjetsuperstore.com is a California company that I've used for years for refilling my laser cartridges for a Samsung laser printer saving about 60% off. One charge only for shipping no matter how much you buy, and they have occasional specials like additional discounts and free shipping if you are paying attention to their occasional emails. 100% satisfaction so far.

I have use PrintPal.com new, non-OEM toner cartridges for years. They are about 1/3 the price and work great. (for HP Laserjet 4050N) I had one cartridge start throwing toner when it was mostly used up and PrintPal gave me a new replacement. That was about 6 years ago. I have use 15 to 20 of the cartridges and that was the only problem.
I just ordered several inkjet cartridges from them for an Officejet Pro 8600. The black one quit printing about half way through the ink. They replaced it free.

Even if using non-branded ink does invalidate the printer warranty, who cares? With the money saved you could buy a new printer every year and still be ahead of the manufacturer's outrageous prices.