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September 2nd, 2002

Inkjet Cartridges Cost Too Much

A simple gripe: inkjet cartridges cost too much.

A bit over a year ago, I purchased a new HP DeskJet printer that would work with my PC and with my future Mac. The printer cost around $120, brand new, which was a fantastic deal given the quality of output. My previous printer was a few years old and functioned fine, yet cost around double the new one when I bought it.

Since I bought the DeskJet, though, I’ve had to replace ink cartridges either 3 or 4 times. Not unexpected… but at $35-$40 a pop, I’ve already spent the cost of the printer on cartridges! HP is following the old “give them the razor, sell them the blades” philosophy when it comes to printers, for sure.

So now I’m on a mission. I have been traditionally rather scared of those inkjet refill kits – they seem rather messy and of low quality. What I’m looking for is a really good refill kit, with good quality ink, for a fair price. The ultimate, though, would be the same kit from an environmentally-friendly company that offers soy-based inks.

Wish me luck.

Posted in Miscellaneous

J A Walson January 4, 2009, 5:36 pm

Am looking for a vegetable ink-jet ink (soy?)

so that I can make watery transfers of prints

in the way Robert Rauschenberg did in his late

transfer work. If privy to this “secret”, please

share with this confounded artist.

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