So.

[zianuray]

Old printer was working, but starting to make noises and the ink was...I don't know if it was actually running out / getting used that fast, or if it was glopping up.  And it's a Dell, so carts are expensier than some and harder to fnd in a store.  Can always order online, of course.

Anyhow, HP had a printer/scanner/copier for TWENTY FOUR BUX.  And the ink is about 60% the price of Dell ink, and I've had an HP printer before, it did what was needed (and I need to get it to someone who can clean it up / use it for parts) and all that.

So I got a new printer.

And it works :D

And the old one...the Dell...I hate to even offer it to anyone b/c of the cost of ink!

HOWEVER -- IF you want it, knowing the carts are 26 - 30 each at Staples, and knowing it needs a USB cable (with the different ends -- one is sort-of squarish), and live in the Aurora/Springfield area, you can have it.  All it comes with is a power cord and the software -- but if your computer uses Vista, you'll have to download it from the Dell site anyhow.  I'm not going to ship it, you can pick it up or I can drop it off when I'm in Sprungburg anyhow.

And yes, I'm being a pain about it.

Comments

[jeffs-page.livejournal.com]

Printer makers are pulling a "Sony" on this. Ink jet printers are now to the point where it is cheaper to just buy a new printer than to replace the ink catridges, but the majority of people are (a) too lazy to replace the whole printer, or (b) too reluctant to throw away a perfectly good and working printer if it's only out of ink. On any given weekend, you should be able to find someplace that has a decent printer on sale for under $50 (sometimes way under). It's hard to justify $50 worth of ink that way. If printer makers would let other companies make ink cartridges and then there would be some competition and prices on them would go down.

*Sony was one of the first companies that made things that forced you to buy Sony replacement parts and Sony products to use with their stuff. The old Betamax was much better than VHS, but Sony wouldn't license the ability to either make the machine, or even tapes. Panasonic licensed VHS and look which survived.