Where do you buy your printer ink?

Stratman · 09-13-2008, 12:25 PM

I just purchased new ink cartridges for my Epson printer ( Stylus C88, nuttn' fancy ) and am shocked at how much those 4 lil' cartridges cost. After taxes it was over $60 !! I believe I bought the printer on sale for $90

Does anyone know of a source to get decently priced Ink? I checked the net, and Best Buy was the cheapest I could find. New Egg had it cheaper, but the shipping made up the difference, and then some.

*Canada_Rockies* · 09-13-2008, 12:51 PM

With ink jet printers, particularly the low end printers, they basically give the printer away and make their profit on the inks. It comes with the territory, I am afraid. Also, despite the extra cost, I always use the manufacturer's inks. Some years ago I read a horror story where the substitute inks had larger particles than the manufacturer's, and the print head had to be replaced.

Photo Tramp · 09-13-2008, 01:09 PM

Stratman,
Go to 101inks.com. I have been buying from them for the past two years. My first Epson needed 4 colors and the price per 4 cartridges was $69.00 from Staples for Epson ink. from 101 ink I got 12 cartridges (3 of each color) for $57.00 and the ink was good quality. I still buy from them for my RX680. Price for 6 cartridges for original Epson ink is $89.00. Now I get 18 cartridges (3 of each color) for $68.00.
the Rx680 is a high definition Printer and the 101 inks have very little difference from the original Epson.
Now if I print proofs for a customer I will replace the 101 ink with Epson original, because that is what their pricing is based on. All customer prints are don with the best I can buy. The prints I do for myself I do with the 101 inks and there is no difference what so ever in quality. However down the road a few years that ink may fade where the Epson won't.

Stratman · 09-13-2008, 03:34 PM

Thanks for the responses !!! I'll check out your link, I don't do a LOT of printing, but I may start to soon, and if I can save a fair amount on ink, and have similar quality to the original, I'll give it a try !!

Edit: I checked your link, and I can get the full set of 4 cartridges for about half of what I just paid today, I think next time I need some ink, I'll give them a try, thanks !!

Photo Tramp · 09-13-2008, 04:40 PM

Originally Posted by Stratman

Thanks for the responses !!! I'll check out your link, I don't do a LOT of printing, but I may start to soon, and if I can save a fair amount on ink, and have similar quality to the original, I'll give it a try !!

Edit: I checked your link, and I can get the full set of 4 cartridges for about half of what I just paid tody, I think next time I need some ink, I'll give them a try, thanks !!

I hope you do the quality is high and the cost is really at a great price. I do, do quite a bit of printing and if it were not for the money I save there I sure wouldn't print as much as I do. Plus the fact I get twice to three times as much for the money.
Good luck with the printing.

*reeftool* · 09-13-2008, 09:49 PM

I know Canon is a dirty word here but their printers do a nice job and the ink cartridges are very well priced. I'm paying 12$ and change for black and 11$ for colors at Walmart. BJ's has a multi pack (2 black and 1 each of the 3 colors) for 48$.

flyer · 09-14-2008, 04:59 AM

I have a HP Photosmart printer and I can get all 6 cartridges plus 100 sheets of 4 X 6 HP Photo paper for Can. $42.00. TThe thing that ticks me off is the fact that the color cartridges are holding only 4 to 6ml. of ink, and when the printer says you have to replace them, there is still somewhere between 1 to 3ml. left in the cartridges. And the printer won't work after it tells you the cartridge is empty, even when there is a lot of ink left in the cartridges. At the price they sell the "juice", I think you should be able to use all of it. It shows that thieves aren't all wearing masks!

jaws · 09-14-2008, 04:13 PM

I have a Epson R1900 and i save about $80.00 a set buying ink in the US and having it shipped to Australia, they ship in about 7 days to my door, a good service.
CW Media Pro
good luck.
John

*LaRee* · 09-16-2008, 10:06 AM

I have owned a variety of Epson printers for years. About 10 years ago I tried a generic ink that completely distroyed my Epson printer. It never printed the same after using the generic cartridge. I'm sure generic inks have come a long way since that time though. I've not had the guts to try another generic cartridge in my Epson printers again. I've been tempted as of late though with the R800 I own it costs over $120.00 for a full set of cartridges! It takes the fun out of printing myself. Most times I send the files to an on-line printer when I want a large print.

I was looking at generic cartridges at a swap meet and talking to the vendor. She said that Epson won a court case that prohibits generic manufactures from cloning their ink cartridges. She can't get Epson clones any more for most models. Does anyone else have any information on this?

Photo Tramp · 09-16-2008, 12:34 PM

Originally Posted by LaRee

I have owned a variety of Epson printers for years. About 10 years ago I tried a generic ink that completely distroyed my Epson printer. It never printed the same after using the generic cartridge. I'm sure generic inks have come a long way since that time though. I've not had the guts to try another generic cartridge in my Epson printers again. I've been tempted as of late though with the R800 I own it costs over $120.00 for a full set of cartridges! It takes the fun out of printing myself. Most times I send the files to an on-line printer when I want a large print.

I was looking at generic cartridges at a swap meet and talking to the vendor. She said that Epson won a court case that prohibits generic manufactures from cloning their ink cartridges. She can't get Epson clones any more for most models. Does anyone else have any information on this?

LaRee,
May I reiterate. Please check 101inks.com. I have the RX680 and use the 78 epson ink. The printer is $198.00 and I sure wouldn't use this product unless it was proven. I have proven it to myself time after time, and have no fear using this product. As for your vendor I think it's B.S. that would mean Epson would have the monopoly of the ink market on their product which would fall under the Recio act. What Epson says about using generic ink is it will not look as good or last as long after printing. I have talked to a few Epson reps. and non of them have ever said anything like they prohibit generic clones.
Now 101inks may not have your ink and in some cases they do not have some printer models. I seem to recall seeing your R800 listed as them having the ink for it. I can say this if they do have it it will be way less than what your paying per cartridge. In fact most cases you would get three of each for the price of one Epson.

JCSullivan · 09-17-2008, 06:04 AM

I DON'T do a lot of printing but when I need ink I have it refilled locally.
I also print much of my documentation in DRAFT mode - when I need to print.

*Clicker* · 09-17-2008, 06:52 PM

Costco bulk, Epson 4800, never printed a photo from it...i'd rather work on my digital darkroom skills and send out to a lab if i really want a poster otherwise it's the local Shoppers Drugmart with their Fuji print stations for 4x6 to 8x10s.

vlo · 09-21-2008, 12:11 PM

I have an Epson Stylus Photo R800 which is a wonderful printer but the inks are expensive. So I bought a Niagara continuous ink flow system and am very happy with it. Print quality is good, no problems and printing is now much, much cheaper. You might want to visit Welcome to MediaStreet; Innovation and Value Added at Every Turn

vlo

*LaRee* · 09-21-2008, 07:19 PM

Originally Posted by vlo

I have an Epson Stylus Photo R800 which is a wonderful printer but the inks are expensive. So I bought a Niagara continuous ink flow system and am very happy with it. Print quality is good, no problems and printing is now much, much cheaper. You might want to visit Welcome to MediaStreet; Innovation and Value Added at Every Turn

vlo

Thank you for posting this information. This is what I've been looking for, someone who has used a particular ink with the Epson R800. I very much appreciate your input and suggestion. Wow what a bummer. I went to the link you provided and plugged in Epson R800, and they said the produce was no longer available. I like the ease of their "filling up" lay out for ordering. Too bad they don't offer this one anymore it seems? Oh now I found it. I needed to look in the refillable system. It does appear to save a lot of $$. Is it messy or difficult to set up?