HP monopolised its ink cartriges - any legal solution?

Magdala

Hi, I am not sure if anybody can help on this in here but after all it is about customer rights; I purchased an HP printer and wanted to keep using refilled cartridges. They would not work so I made a wee research on the topic and found out that HP apparently incorporated some software that recognizes re-manufactured cartridges and does not let us print. Thus they are forcing us to buy their overpriced products. Many other customers had the experience and they feel mistreated by HP. I wonder if there is anything in some law that would ban this sort of behavior as unlawful monopole. Any ideas?
Of course I will never again buy any HP product, especially a printer. But I still want to see some solution to this.

Fosterdog

Why do you think it is unlawful?

mattyprice4004

HP don't know the quality of aftermarket cartridges and don't get any royalties from them, so of course they're not going to want you to use them.

You're going to be disappointed and you're wasting your time.

Valli

I've got an (ancient) HP printer and I have used

HP cartridges
re-manufactured cartridges from various sources (eg WH Smith)
Out of date HP cartridges bought via e bay

never had a problem

However if I were to replace my printer I would be researching into cost of inks prior to purchase.

libra10

We purchased an HP Printer Photosmart 5520 several months ago. Recently I purchased genuine HP cartridges from Ebay, however on installing, HP software stated the cartridges were too old for printer.

They were the correct number (364) and definitely genuine. Had to purchase a new set from Argos, costing around £20. A full set in WH Smith's were £42!

dalesrider

Magdala wrote: »

software that recognizes re-manufactured cartridges and does not let us print. .

I have a HP printer and will agree it does bring up a message about non gen/remanufactured carts.

But it does not stop you printing. You just click OK and off it goes and starts printing.

PIA as it does it every time you turn on, but Its a small price to pay.

Kite2010

There is probably software you can download to fool the HP printer software into thinking it has genuine cartridges installed.

Magdala

No solution I looked over has worked so far. On other forums people complained of the same. It does not apparently happen to old HP, only to newer ones and it is deliberate.
Kite2010: This is basically what I am looking for, but somehow doubt there is such stuff.
Dalestrider: My priter has no such button. It does not work for me. It does stop me printing.
I guess that big companies can very well afford such a cheeky stuff.

Esqui

I use a continuous ink system (http://www.cityinkexpress.co.uk/ciss/ciss-for-hp-printers). It's a bit of a faff to install, but it does work, and aside from constantly being told the cartridges are low on ink, it's no trouble.

But with 400ml ink refills for about £23, it's a lot cheaper. The same amount of ink in HP cartridges would set you back as much as £800.

How new is new for not accepting remanufactured cartridges? Mine is a B110a, and the cartridges have chips on

Valli

Magdala wrote: »

No solution I looked over has worked so far. On other forums people complained of the same. It does not apparently happen to old HP, only to newer ones and it is deliberate.
Kite2010: This is basically what I am looking for, but somehow doubt there is such stuff.
Dalestrider: My priter has no such button. It does not work for me. It does stop me printing.
I guess that big companies can very well afford such a cheeky stuff.

They are aiming to ensure that, if you buy the printer they manufacture you also buy the cartridges they manufacture. Maybe the bulk of their profit comes from the ink, as opposed to the actual printers.

So, as far as they are concerned, it's not 'cheeky stuff'; it's good business practice! Of course it's deliberate - HP won't benefit/profit if their customers all bought printers then got their ink via other sources!

My HP printer was bought in 2000 (or thereabouts) so it's a good age. As I have said though, I don't always buy new HP cartridges so they are not making much profit anymore, from me.

Now they have found a way round that.

Georgiegirl256

I have a HP printer, roughly about 18 months old, it takes compatible cartridges, but tbh I wouldn't want to use them, the quality isn't the same, to me, its false economy, so I'd prefer to buy the manufacturers cartridges.