[Grizzly]

<p>I ran out of ink.  I replaced a cartridge.  Machine gave me an error - Print head needed to be replaced.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I knew I was low on another couple of cartridges so I replaced them to no avail.  Shut the machine off.  Nada.  So I called the printer company and after about a 15 minute wait got a truly helpful individual who talked me through a diagnosis.  We actually removed all the cartridges, then the print head, examined the connections, re-seated it, and got the same error.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Apparently there are no user-serviceable parts beyond that and I was told not to touch anything.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The options?  A new print head that would cost $100 more than a new printer.  The new printer?  20% off at $280.  The next gotcha?  None of the ink cartridges will work in the new printer.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>So I asked him if perhaps there was something I could clean - even though it looked pristine.  He told me, "No, we do not recommend any of our users touch the internals."  I paused and then said "If the thing is already toast and I have to buy a new one, what's the harm?"  He chuckled.  Paused.  Repeated the party line.  I realized that he was being recorded. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>He sent me the details on the offer and wished me good luck, reminding me NOT to attempt to clean the leads, with anything like alcohol, even if I used lint free cloth...  and then said good-bye.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>By gum if I didn't disobey him and it worked. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>How many people get suckered in?</p>
<p> </p>

 

[Tech Tee]

That's funny. Don't use ALCOHOL and don't use a LINT FREE CLOTH.<br><br>
Hope the guy doesn't get in trouble.

 

[airehead]

<p>And definitely don't consider BUYING A NEW ONE:</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a href="http://store.kodak.com/store/ekconsus/en_US/pd/ESP_5250_All-in-One_Printer/productID.158853500" target="_blank">http://store.kodak.com/store/ekconsus/en_US/pd/ESP_5250_All-in-One_Printer/productID.158853500</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>$129.  Replacement cartridges are $10/$19 for black and color respectively.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>We do lots of printing and love it.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Plus it has the WIFIs.</p>

 

[Tech Tee]

<div class="quote-container" data-huddler-embed="/t/75474/printer-tech-support-seriously#post_2017097" data-huddler-embed-placeholder="false"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>airehead</strong> <a href="/t/75474/printer-tech-support-seriously#post_2017097"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif"></a><br><br><p>And definitely don't consider BUYING A NEW ONE:</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a href="http://store.kodak.com/store/ekconsus/en_US/pd/ESP_5250_All-in-One_Printer/productID.158853500" target="_blank">http://store.kodak.com/store/ekconsus/en_US/pd/ESP_5250_All-in-One_Printer/productID.158853500</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>$129.  Replacement cartridges are $10/$19 for black and color respectively.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>We do lots of printing and love it.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Plus it has the WIFIs.</p>
</div>
</div>
<br>
I have two different Canons, and I love them.<br><br>
I have had HP, Lexmark, and Brother, and have hated them all. I have had friends who have had Epsons and they said they work great for about six months, then they start getting crappy.<br><br>
My one Canon I've had for 4 years (knock on wood).

 

[Floridaboiler]

<p><br><br>
I have heard those worked really well.  Of course it came out after I bought my epson.  I think my dad is looking for a new one, I will send him the  link to this one.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>airehead</strong> <a href="/t/75474/printer-tech-support-seriously#post_2017097"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-bottom:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-right:0px solid;"></a><br><br><p>And definitely don't consider BUYING A NEW ONE:</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a href="http://store.kodak.com/store/ekconsus/en_US/pd/ESP_5250_All-in-One_Printer/productID.158853500" target="_blank">http://store.kodak.com/store/ekconsus/en_US/pd/ESP_5250_All-in-One_Printer/productID.158853500</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>$129.  Replacement cartridges are $10/$19 for black and color respectively.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>We do lots of printing and love it.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Plus it has the WIFIs.</p>
</div>
</div>
<br><br><p> </p>

 

[Tech Tee]

<div class="quote-container" data-huddler-embed="/t/75474/printer-tech-support-seriously#post_2017118" data-huddler-embed-placeholder="false"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>Floridaboiler</strong> <a href="/t/75474/printer-tech-support-seriously#post_2017118"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif"></a><br><br><p>I have heard those worked really well.  Of course it came out after I bought my epson.  I think my dad is looking for a new one, I will send him the  link to this one.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
</div>
</div>
<br>
I don't like 2 cartridge printers. That's my issue with it. You have to toss out the color cartridge when one color goes...and the other colors can still be OK.

 

[Floridaboiler]

<br><br><div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>Tech Tee</strong> <a href="/t/75474/printer-tech-support-seriously#post_2017129"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-bottom:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-right:0px solid;"></a><br><br><br>
I don't like 2 cartridge printers. That's my issue with it. You have to toss out the color cartridge when one color goes...and the other colors can still be OK.</div>
</div>
<br><br><p>Thanks for letting me know. I will let my dad know. </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>

 

[airehead]

<p><br>
True, but we hardly ever have to change out the color.  We do mostly b&w.  Cartridges are cheap and now they have generics.</p>
<p>Also, you can get the printers pretty cheap elsewhere.  (like at Target etc)</p>
<p> </p>
<p>We save our good quality color printing (pics) for the copy store or Walgreens.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I think the difference is, what are you going to print?  If it's a lot of b&w, then this is your lucky day! <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif"></p>
<p> </p>
<p>It's also a copier.  I think it might even make grilled cheese sandwiches.</p>
<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>Floridaboiler</strong> <a href="/t/75474/printer-tech-support-seriously#post_2017159"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a><br><br><br><br><br><br><p>Thanks for letting me know. I will let my dad know. </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
</div>
</div>
<br><br><p> </p>
<p> </p>

 

[Tech Tee]

<div class="quote-container" data-huddler-embed="/t/75474/printer-tech-support-seriously#post_2017165" data-huddler-embed-placeholder="false"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>airehead</strong> <a href="/t/75474/printer-tech-support-seriously#post_2017165"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif"></a><br><br><p>True, but we hardly ever have to change out the color.  We do mostly b&w.  Cartridges are cheap and now they have generics.</p>
<p>Also, you can get the printers pretty cheap elsewhere.  (like at Target etc)</p>
<p> </p>
<p>We save our good quality color printing (pics) for the copy store or Walgreens.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I think the difference is, what are you going to print?  If it's a lot of b&w, then this is your lucky day! <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif"></p>
<p> </p>
<p>It's also a copier.  I think it might even make grilled cheese sandwiches.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
</div>
</div>
<br>
It's true, if you only do b&w you're OK. But our printers get used a lot. The color portion too. Wife's a teacher. Kids with their homework.<br><br>
We're constantly going thought cartridges. The last printer we had with just 2 cartridges was a Lexmark which was a horrible POS. The color cartridge was going constantly. It turned me off of Lexmark forever. They get you with the low price for the printer then gouge you with the cartridges. Not that they're the first ones to do that. That all started with King Camp Gillette, of razor blade fame. The father of disposable products. He gave you a free handle, and your first set of blades, then gouged you for the replacement blades. (your history lesson for the day).<br><br>
Anyway, both my Canon printers have _5_ cartidges. One big black for b&w only. Then black, cyan, magenta, and yellow for color stuff.<br><br>
I have an MP560 (wifi, fax, scanner, copier, and of course, print), and an iP4200. I love them both, and they cost under $100. The full compliment of cartridges for them is in the $65 range. My only beef, if you use generic cartridges, you void the warranty. And they can tell. See, with the printers today, one of the reasons they're so cheap is, there's nothing to them.<br><br>
All the technology is in the cartridge itself. There's actually a chip in there. And, it phones home. And if you put a generic in there, the printer knows. Oh, it will still continue to work, but after that, there's no warranty anymore.<br><br>
But, counter that with the fact that the printer itself only cost $100...well, you get my drift.

 

[SkippyS]

<p>GREAT STORY, love it. Printers are such irritating pieces of garbage. Either they get your money on the printer or on the ink, either way, they get you. They ARE disposable nowadays, so sad.</p>

 

[the kenyan]

<p><img alt="Pc_Load_Letter.jpg" src="http://yamonsvotal.com/Webbies2/Pc_Load_Letter.jpg"></p>