Multi-function device disabled when out of ink

[swbsam]

I have an epson all-in-one that recently ran out of ink and, absurdly, the memory card reader on it doesn't even function! I can't scan, grab pictures off of SD, or print in black and white since the cyan is out - anyone else feel this is unethical, unrelated functionality crippled to force you to buy some more ink?

 

[lxskllr]

Printers are a scam all around. They're my biggest piss off with personal computing. I'd rather pay $800 for a well built printer, with available, and replaceable parts, and pay what ink's really worth instead of that horseshit they have now. It should never be cheaper to buy a whole new printer WITH INK than it is to buy just ink :^S

 

[l0cke]

There should be a way to hack the chip on the back of the ink cart to make it think it is always full. Look for ways to refill that particular type of ink and it will tell you.

 

[Miramonti]

no question, I'd be furious and let customer support know about it.

 

[TruePaige]

Originally posted by: lxskllr
Printers are a scam all around. They're my biggest piss off with personal computing. I'd rather pay $800 for a well built printer, with available, and replaceable parts, and pay what ink's really worth instead of that horseshit they have now. It should never be cheaper to buy a whole new printer WITH INK than it is to buy just ink :^S

I buy $20 brand new printers and then throw them away sometimes. :X

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: swbsam
I have an epson all-in-one that recently ran out of ink and, absurdly, the memory card reader on it doesn't even function! I can't scan, grab pictures off of SD, or print in black and white since the cyan is out - anyone else feel this is unethical, unrelated functionality crippled to force you to buy some more ink?

Which is why I bought a Canon. If my color ink runs out, I can still do all of the other functions of the printer.

But yeah, that's a really shady thing to do.

 

[randay]

my brother mfc does that. very bad practice.

 

[nakedfrog]

Wow, I'd be livid. I have a Lexmark all-in-one I bought in 2001, and the printer portion has been broken for years, but I keep it around for the scanning.

 

[Corporate Thug]

Originally posted by: Queasy

Originally posted by: swbsam
I have an epson all-in-one that recently ran out of ink and, absurdly, the memory card reader on it doesn't even function! I can't scan, grab pictures off of SD, or print in black and white since the cyan is out - anyone else feel this is unethical, unrelated functionality crippled to force you to buy some more ink?

Which is why I bought a Canon. If my color ink runs out, I can still do all of the other functions of the printer.

But yeah, that's a really shady thing to do.

:thumbsup: for cannon. I just ordered my multi function from egg shell shocker today.

 

[Phoenix86]

Originally posted by: lxskllr
Printers are a scam all around. They're my biggest piss off with personal computing. I'd rather pay $800 for a well built printer, with available, and replaceable parts, and pay what ink's really worth instead of that horseshit they have now. It should never be cheaper to buy a whole new printer WITH INK than it is to buy just ink :^S

The cheap printers (heck, most printers these days) come with 1/2 or less of a full cartridge.

 

[Crono]

Time to take that MFD (motha f**king device?) out back for some Office Space-style justice, then buy yourself one that doesn't extort you for ink.

 

[swbsam]

Originally posted by: Queasy

Originally posted by: swbsam
I have an epson all-in-one that recently ran out of ink and, absurdly, the memory card reader on it doesn't even function! I can't scan, grab pictures off of SD, or print in black and white since the cyan is out - anyone else feel this is unethical, unrelated functionality crippled to force you to buy some more ink?

Which is why I bought a Canon. If my color ink runs out, I can still do all of the other functions of the printer.

But yeah, that's a really shady thing to do.

Thank you for helping me pick the manufacturer of my next MFC. A replacement cyan cartridge will cost me much less than a new printer but, honestly, these sort of tactics rub me the wrong way.

 

[SN4p]

I have a canon as well and it rocks. It also scans stacks of documents and not just on the platen.

Best $99 I've ever spent.

 

[darkxshade]

I know how you mean... when my printer ran out of ink last week, the elevator in my apartment building went out of order. Such bullshit!!!

 

[SphinxnihpS]

Don't buy "home" or "home office" products?

 

[swbsam]

Originally posted by: SphinxnihpS
Don't buy "home" or "home office" products?

But I'm a home/home office user! Should I use an industrial stove to bake brownies?

 

[BoomerD]

My Canon AIO laser printer is out of toner...almost. (the "low toner" alert has been on for a month)

The fax machine still works, the scanner still works, the copier still sort of works and the printer kind of works. (prints are getting pretty faint.)

I GOTTA find a decent quality aftermarket toner cartridge.

 

[I Saw OJ]

I had the same problem with an HP all-in-on. Stupid thing sits in the closet now.

 

[rudder]

I jsut got a Kodak all in one. $24 for both a color and B&W... screw all the others!

 

[lokiju]

Look around online for a "hack".

A lot of times you can put tape over the sensor or something like that to trick it into working.

 

[PingSpike]

Originally posted by: jjsole
no question, I'd be furious and let customer support know about it.

Why bother? Those cocksucks knew exactly what they were doing when they designed it, they'll probably thank you for the successful field report. All you can do is never buy another epson anything ever again and hope others do the same.

 

[swbsam]

Originally posted by: PingSpike

Originally posted by: jjsole
no question, I'd be furious and let customer support know about it.

Why bother? Those cocksucks knew exactly what they were doing when they designed it, they'll probably thank you for the successful field report. All you can do is never buy another epson anything ever again and hope others do the same.

Yep, already offered the printer to a friend who doesn't mind replacing the ink.. I'll be buying a canon soon.

 

[hanoverphist]

Originally posted by: swbsam

Originally posted by: SphinxnihpS
Don't buy "home" or "home office" products?

But I'm a home/home office user! Should I use an industrial stove to bake brownies?

depends how many you are wanting to make...


my old epson did that too, but i noticed there was a physical "switch" inside the carts that i could force to show not empty and print black and white still. wasnt a multi function one tho.

 

[evident]

my HP Photosmart 3210 AIO does the same shit. ink expires after a year too. i've probably printed about 10 pages total since i bought it and it won't let me do anything till i change the ink.

 

[StinkyPinky]

Shit, I have an Epson. And it's out of ink - haven't tried to scan on it since it has run out....guess I wont bother now How is that shit even legal?

Fuck printer companies piss me off. It's the only industry in IT to go backwards. My inkjet printers in the 90's were better value.