Used video game market mirrors remanufactured cartridge industry

We are used to new cartridges coming out that have chips to prevent refilling. Or firmware updates that block remanufactured cartridges. Or new types of ink or toner that must be developed in the aftermarket before new cartridges can be properly remanufactured.

Printer and printer cartridge manufacturers have been diligent in staying in front of the technology curve, and in doing so are also in front of the money curve. They are making sure they still receive the majority of printer cartridge revenue.

But what about used video games?

According to this article, video game manufacturers are trying to get back a chunk of the $2 billion a year used video game sales.

The article states that some games are shipped with single use download codes, or are requiring users to register the game before playing it, and in some cases that registration might be non-transferable.

Or maybe you can still play the game with all of the original options, but not until you pay a $15 fee on top of whatever you paid for the physical used copy of the game.

Can you just see Canon or HP requiring you to pay a fee before your refilled cartridge will be recognized by the printer?

Canon PGI-220/ CLI-221 compatible cartridges available

We haven't updated this blog in quite a while, and hope to correct that. We will try to post relevant information, like new cartridges, new printers, and other new products.

We will also let you know about any big sales or specials! We do post specials on our website, so keep checking there!

As far as new products, Canon's PGI-220/CLI-221 ink tanks have become very popular, and we now have compatible cartridges at a significant savings, as well as the original Canon cartridges.

Cartridge recycling program isn't green or cost-effective

A Sacramento, California newspaper investigated an HP recycling initiative that was implemented in California state offices.

On paper, the recycling program was touted as a bold step toward California's green, climate-friendly future.

A mountain of plastic and metal would be diverted from landfills. Greenhouse gas emissions would tumble. And one of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's climate change goals – trimming power use in state buildings by 20 percent – would nudge closer to reality as agencies snapped up new, more efficient office printers.

That is what state and Hewlett-Packard officials said last year when they joined forces to ship used HP printer ink cartridges from state offices to Virginia to be ground up and recycled into auto parts, serving trays, clothes hangers and other products.

But a Bee investigation, based on more than 100 pages of e-mails and other records, has found that 17 months after it was created, the program has delivered few if any of its promised climate benefits.

Read more.

A printer without cartridges?

Epson has introduced a new printer -- the EC-01 -- that works without cartridges. This article gives a brief description of the printer.

Basically, the printer is designed to print approximately 8,500 pages before it needs to be replaced. Epson states that the printer can then be returned to them in exchange for a partial credit toward a new EC-01 printer. The company is trying to market this as an eco-friendly alternative to printers that use consumables like cartridges.

I suppose the biggest question is what happens to these printers once they are used and returned to Epson? Does Epson refurbish them and re-sell them as new? Do they salvage some parts and dispose of the rest? Are they built in such a way that the "ink" is just refilled within the printer? And do consumers want to but a "new" printer that is actually refurbished?

Another issue will be how the exchange process works. Does anyone actually like the idea of having to pack up their printer to return to the manufacturer because it is now out of ink? How long is the turn-around time between shipping off the old printer and getting your "new" one?

What do you think about this type of printer? Would you consider buying one? Why or why not?

Congratulations to Dr. Cathy and Advanced Health of Naperville!

Ink Station congratulates Dr. Cathy Subber on her 10th Anniversary treating patients in Naperville. Advanced Health of Naperville is celebrating this milestone with a ribbon-cutting at 4pm on August 25th, featuring Mayor Pradel and the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce.

Visit Dr. Cathy's new website for Advanced Health of Naperville!

Beware of toner scams

This morning at the store, I received an interesting phone call.

The young woman on the other end gave me her spiel, which was to offer me a quote on my inkjet and toner cartridges. "I can probably save you a lot of money next time you need to replace your cartridges."

"Well, that's my business," I told her. "I sell ink and toner, so I would probably be a really bad customer for you." She promptly hung up.

I googled the company's name, and found that they have a long history of scamming businesses. Basically, they call and offer you a free cartridge to try out for 2 weeks. They tell you if you are not happy, you can return it at no charge. Seems like a win-win, right?

Well, they will send you your free cartridge, but then tell you that you have actually agreed to purchase several more cartridges at full price (which, according to some victims cost 3 and 4 times as much as an OEM cartridge at any office supply store). Sometimes the number of cartridges you agreed to purchase will change a couple of times within a single phone call.

The company will then proceed to send out a new order at least once a month, whether you placed an order or not (and usually it seems an order is never placed). They will now begin hounding you to pay invoices for overpriced product that you never even ordered!

Be aware of these tactics. Don't give out your printer models or serial numbers unless you know who you are talking to. My advice is to purchase from a local company with an actual brick and mortar presence.

Problem with HP 90s series cartridges

There seems to be an issue with HP 90 series cartridges, most notably the #93, 95, and 97 cartridges, and to a lesser extent the HP 60 series cartridges.

These cartridges, both original OEM and refilled cartridges, will give an electrical error telling the user that either the cartridge cannot be recognized or that the wrong cartridge is installed. Generally the cartridge will work initially until an error appears.

I use a Deskjet 6940 at the store, and have been using up some introductory HP 97 (OEM) cartridges in it. But periodically, the color cartridge light will flash, telling me that the cartridge cannot be recognized. I will turn the printer off and then on again, and the black cartridge light will flash. I will once again turn the printer off and then on again, and the printer will function fine for a while until the whole cycle repeats itself.

I just wanted to let our customers know that there does seem to be an issue with these cartridges, but the problem is showing up in original HP cartridges just as often as it is in our refilled HP cartridges. We do test the electrical systems prior to refilling and after refilling to be sure we are packaging a working cartridge. The problem seems to indicate that there is an issue with the printer (maybe certain printers?) reading the circuits of the cartridge consistently.

I would love to hear from you if you have seen this problem and have any more information or insights regarding it.