THE GUARDIAN's hp 7210 all in one printer went down for the last time over the weekend. Hewlett Packard has been the printer of choice for a number of years but not this time around. I took a look around and I could not help but notice all the various printer cartridges I have laying around that won't fit anything. Don't know if this is a industry wide deal or not but when you go to buy a new printer the old printer cartridges won't work in anything that is "NEW AND IMPROVED" with Hewlett Packard.
Not only do you get stuck with having to buy a new printer but all the dough you forked out for extra cartridges is up in smoke as well. I will look for someone that can actually use my old cartridges before they get tossed. The fact that you only get a couple of years light useage from a printer is bad enough but having to eat the cost of the cartridges is more than a little bit troubling.
The good news is that it is a competetive world out there and you can vote with your feet when it comes time to replace stuff. This time around HP was not the printer of choice. We will see how long this one lasts. HP stuff has averaged about two years before it hits the recycling place.
If you're looking to unload those cartridges, I'll take them off your hands. :-)
ReplyDeleteI have a 7210 too (it's working fine by the way). The key to not having to dump your cartridges is to look for newer (note, I didn't say NEW) models that take the same cartridge. This way, you can use up your spare ones.
Another option, for re-couping some lost $$ on cartridges, is to sell them on Craigslist or Ebay. I buy all my cartridges on these sites (for 1/2 the cost of new). I've never purchased NEW cartridges.
It's like buying a car, if you want the 'bragging rights' there's a price to pay.
Bill in Eagle
I have had luck selling old printer cartridges on ebay or craigslist. You may be able to recoup some of your money that way. Or put them up for free on craigslist for a nonprofit. Computers for Kids in Boise may also be able to use them, then you will get a nice tax write off ;)
ReplyDeleteYou're right, those all-in-one printers are definitely not built to last. I've gone through three of them in the last couple of years. The slashed, super-saver price always seems to draw me in.
ReplyDeleteOne of these days I'll actually invest in a real printer and scanner. However, being as everything now is digital, I don't really have much need for the scanner anymore. The only time I ever use it is when I need to upload a pic from the pre-digital camera days.
Do the local pharmacies there offer cartridge refills? I love that option. It saves me a lot of money on ink.