HP Caves in on Printer Ink Discussion - Will Adjust Software

by Hilbert Hagedoorn on: 09/29/2016 09:47 AM | source: | 19 comment(s)

A few days ago we reported that HP implemented firmware on their printers that will reject non-HP ink cartridges - it was a deliberately move to make sure that consumers purchase HP ink and as HP stated, a move that would not be fixed. The company that charges 30 euro for 50 milliliter ink changed it's mind after huge global criticism.

HP was under a lot of scrutiny after they silently invoked the firmware updates. HP issued an apology and states that a new update is in the works that will make the printers and their ink cartridges functional again. According to the company only a small group of consumers is affected by the problems. "But every dissatisfied customer is one too many."

The firmware updates had been invoked, according to HP, "to protect the printers and secure communication between cartridge and printer."

Fact is, it was simply blocking ink cartridges that did not have original HP ink. Manufacturers of printers do not earn their money with the sales of the printers themselves, but the sale of ink cartridges provides them their profit and margin. However in the case of HP, they charge 30 euros for 50 milliliters of ink, and you need roughly 4 different cartridges for a color printer setup. Ink has become the new black gold.

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SirDremor
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#5339839 Posted on: 09/29/2016 10:16 AM

Ha-ha-ha!
I am always amused how big companies do such obviously dumb moves (especially those planned years in advance) just to reverse them in a short time!

Extraordinary
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#5339841 Posted on: 09/29/2016 10:21 AM

Brings their company attention to the masses, probably makes them ££

BlueRay
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#5339844 Posted on: 09/29/2016 10:23 AM

I could agree with this only of they would bring the price of ink down to the non genuine ink prices. Then I could agree with this move. But pricing ink more than hardware is absolutely a scum and an abuse of their power in the market. They should investigate those monopolistic tactics like they do with other companies .

Andrew LB
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#5339856 Posted on: 09/29/2016 11:14 AM

What they'll now do is phase out ink cartridges and probably go with a tank system like Epson where you pay a lot more for the printer up front.

Kaarme
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Joined: 2013-03-10

#5339862 Posted on: 09/29/2016 11:34 AM

The manufacturers make no profit whatsoever selling the cheap inkjet printers to the masses. I'm surprised they can cover the expenses, considering the prices must also cover the retail's profit. It's still a big piece of hardware that includes a scanner as well. You can buy an average inkjet for 50 euros (average, not the cheapest). A single Noctua computer case fan can easily cost 20 euros. That gives some perspective.

In my opinion the market would be healthier if the printers' prices were realistic on their own and thus the ink prices were as well. In the distant past it used to be like that. When I bought my first Canon led scanner, I think it was equivalent to roughly 200 euros (although euro didn't exist back then). Now you get a better scanner by buying a 30 euros multi-function device. I don't remember anymore how much my first Canon inkjet was such a long time ago, but I bet it was at least something similar to the later scanner. Of course it was just the printer. Back then an affordable scanner for home use wasn't commonplace.

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