Printer ink scam
For reference I have an PIXMA iP4200. It has 5 ink cartridges: 3 color and 2 black (one for photo printing and one for text printing)
So a few weeks ago I was needing to print out something and what do know I was running low on ink. My magenta and cyan were both empty. I thought no worry because all I wanted to do was print a page that just had black text (which my main black tank was full). But wait, my printer stops and refuses to print flashing lights telling me change the 2 color tanks. So I search online to find that you can’t force the printer to just print when any one cartridge is out no matter if you are using that color or not.
I first check online and find the cartridges sell for about $14.99. I then check at the store to find that Canon ink can not be refilled. It didn’t really matter anyways since color refills started at $15. I then find a color 3 pack for $31.99. Since my yellow was getting close to being out this was a great deal (compared to $45.00 if bought separately).
A wait a week and finally get the new tanks in and install them. Whew! Back to printing. I go to the document I wanted to print and click print. WTF! A message pops up saying now my small black tank is out. This time I went to Staples and paid $16.99 + tax. Now my total price for ink is up around $50.
Right now newegg has an PIXMA All-In-One starting at $59.99 LINK
The thing that really gets me is I bought this one because it had the separate tanks figuring that I would always replace one at a time. Just another consumer scam.
