Printer Ink

[Kathi OD]

Has anyone ever bought "off-brand" printer ink? If so, what was your experience? How about "remanufactured" cartridges?

I have an HP printer and have never bought anything except HP ink. Lately, I've been needing to do a LOT of printing and it is using up the ink very quickly. HP ink is expensive, so I've been considering purchasing some off-brand ink.

If I could go the off-brand route I know I'll save a ton of money!

 

[blue gatorade]

I've learned that in most cases, you get what you pay for. I've had friends that bought "generic" ink cartridges to save money that weren't good quality and didn't last very long. I think most office supply stores offer ink refilling services, but you pretty much have to take the cartridge as soon as it runs out of ink - otherwise it could dry out and not be as effective.

Look for sales at different stores. Target usually has HP ink on sale or bundles packs with paper or offers a gift card with purchase. Office Depot sends out paper bags in the Sunday newspaper for 20% off. Every Wednesday Best Buy offers a percentage off ink purchases.

I dont know what you are printing, but if possible print documents using the "fast draft" setting. It will conserve ink and make the cartridge last longer.

 

[Daphne]

i ordered reconditioned ink carkridges from amazon for my kodak printer. I got 2 blks and 2 colors for 14 dollars and have used them for about 20 prints and the blk is gone already!
so i think i will stick with the brand. now i have not tried the places u take your cartridge in and they fill it yet.

 

[mykidslovesdisney]

My printer can tell of its a genuine HP cartridge installed. It will even know if it is past expiration date. I was able to get a bag of HP ink from freecycle but the printer would not use them bc they were past expiration date. My HP printer has to be over 5 yrs old. I would stick with the real deal. We recycle our used cartridges at Staples and earn $2 each. They some times have special where u earn more if you but ink that day. Sometimes my rewards check is around $30

 

[Kathi OD]

Definitely not what I was hoping to hear, but if that's the truth, I'd rather know before purchasing than after.

Guess I'll be sticking with the real HP product, even though it will be a budget buster.

 

[LJSquishy]

I have an HP printer also (F4180 All-in-One) that is probably 4-6 years old and I just refill the ink cartridge at Costco. They have coupons for them frequently so it is about $8 I think for black and $10 for color. I only print in black & white because ink is so expensive!

I haven't ever tried a generic brand of ink cartridge so I'm not sure if mine would pop up with an error message or not. Since I refill the same cartridge, though, it obviously doesn't matter on mine if the cartridge is expired or not. I've never heard of a printer not accepting a cartridge due to expiration date.

I would try refilling your current cartridges somewhere (I think Office Depot / Staples / etc do it also) to save a little money, or at least try 1 off-brand cartridge. If it doesn't work, you can probably return it...or if not, you are only out $15 maybe.

 

[mykidslovesdisney]

My printer is the HP photosmart c6280 all in one. I was surprised that it recognized the expired cartridge. It will also say ' genuine HP cartridge installed' after replacing a cartridge

 

[tinkmom2]

I have an expensive printer, a Brother. I purchased off brand ink off Ebay and haven't had any problems. PM me and I can give you the sellers' name. Some places will refill cartridges such as Walgrees. I can't recall if I refilled my HP cartridges or not.

 

[sunshine1178]

I think I saw a special offer on ink/toner in the Costco flyer. Maybe free paper with ink purchase? Also, some charities collect the old cartridges and recycle as a fundraiser. Our preschool does. That eases the sting a little -- at least someone besides HP is benefitting when I buy more!

 

[seashoreCM]

Some of the problems seen once in awhile with off brand ink:

1. Could leave drips (too much ink discharge) or skips (too little) here and there on the paper.
2. May be "thinner" than name brand ink and the cleaning process that can happen every other time (or even every time) the printer is turned on will "consume" more ink.
3. Could corrode the print heads, significant if the print heads are built into the machine as opposed to built into the cartridge.
4. May not be the correct color shade, of course leading to an overall off color appearance to the printed page.

 

[shystalips]

I have an expensive printer, a Brother. I purchased off brand ink off Ebay and haven't had any problems. PM me and I can give you the sellers' name. Some places will refill cartridges such as Walgrees. I can't recall if I refilled my HP cartridges or not.

I second this, I purchased a wireless brother printer just because of the way they react to cheap ink. My advice: Buy the printer based on the ink-that's where your try cost is.

 

[Kathi OD]

I second this, I purchased a wireless brother printer just because of the way they react to cheap ink. My advice: Buy the printer based on the ink-that's where your try cost is.

That may be solid advice, but I already have the printer, it works fine, and I'm not looking to spend money on an expensive printer. Maybe when this one dies I'll do as you suggest.

 

[brennicksmom]

I have an HP C 4480 printer and it can tell if it is a "refilled" cartridge and won't let me use it. I have found that when I get the ink cartridges from SAM'S they last much longer than when I buy them anywhere else. They come in a 2 pack and are about $70.00, but I ususally only need to buy them once every 9 months, and I have to print at home for my job. When I was buying at Office Depot/Office Max/Walmart I had to buy them evey month.

 

[starry_solo]

My HP all-in-one won't recognize the refilled cartridge (black) and now the color (which is brand new, only one month old) either!

I'm now in the market for a laser printer. Hate these dumb cartridges!