HP Instant Ink - new free plan

Cornucopia

HP Instant Ink has introduced a 4th level of subscription, which is 15 pages per month... for free.

HP describe the Free plan like this:

The free printing plan allows you to print 15 pages per month at no cost (paper and internet connection not included) for the life of your printer. Additional pages are excluded and will be charged to customer credit/debit card at the end of the month at a rate of £1 per each additional set of 10 pages (customer to be charged £1 for each set even if customer doesn’t use entire set). HP reserves the right to modify or cancel the free printing plan anytime on 60 days notice. This offer cannot be redeemed for cash except as required by law. Additional information available in HP Instant Ink terms at HP Instant Ink Terms of Service.

So, there's something of a catch there, but otherwise it looks like a bonus for light users of HP printers.

The terms of the 3 other subscription levels remain as before.

chunter

Not for me, but here's the missing link.

https://instantink.hpconnected.com/uk/en#

Browntoa

Spam button post 3

DoaM

You want us to mark your own post as :spam: ??

mouseclick

I was seduced into buying 3 x HP printers, and now all three are on the 15 page free plan. As I understand it, I can buy up to 10. However, I notice that I cannot alter the automatic firmware upgrades, or turn off web monitoring on the free plan.

Then, I saw that the manufacturing cost of the cartridges is extremely low. Then, I read that HP think their cartridges are not genuine if the ink lasts a long time more than the prediction. Then, in the blurb, I read that in future, they may withdraw the free plan, and also "non genuine" cartridges which work now may not work in future.

I am concerned that if I stay on the free plan, all 3 of my printers may be "upgraded" so as not to accept cartridges which are deemed to be empty, and hence fake, or refilled, or remanufactured / refilled ones, or possibly cartridges on a CISS (Continuous Ink Supply System - Google for examples). Then, they could withdraw the free plan, leaving me with 3 lumps of plastic that only work with the Instant Ink cartridges, or "genuine HP" ones, both of which HP control the price of.

Am I the only one being cynical here, or do other people see it this way? I would be interested to know what others think. Thanks

Cornucopia

There will obviously be an element of the Free Plan being HP's way to encourage users to spend money with them in other ways - they are a commercial company after all.

The other issues you mention regarding non-Manufacturer authorised cartridges have been around for a long while, and have a broader impact than just the HP Free Plan.

Given that the business model for cheap printers is all about selling the printers cheap on the basis of recouping profits on consumables, I can't see any virtue in HP "freezing" the printers of previous Instant Ink customers. Even if they did remove the Free Plan option, the next level up is £1.99 per month, which is still good value for money.

RumRat

It's rare for people to read T&C's so the don't get used to the backside covering they contain. They cover themselves for any eventuality, many of which never occur.
As Cornucopia points out, the basic plan is £1.99 per machine (less than a cup of coffee) so, it's not exactly going to leave you with '3 lumps of plastic' if they do finish the free plan, which is fairly new anyway.

dipsomaniac

at 1.99 pm it's still the best printer decision i have ever made

Bikertov

Posting to an old thread, I know, so do forgive me ...

I've just had an email from HP, to say that the 'Free' 15 page per month plan will cost £0.99 per month from December. However, it will now allow rollover of unused pages for up to 3 months worth (ie 45 pages)

New printing plans with more rollover!

MONTHLY PLANS PLAN FEE EXTRA PAGE SETS UNUSED PAGE ROLLOVER

15 pages £0.99 10 pages for £1 Up to 45 pages

50 pages £1.99 10 pages for £1 Up to 150 pages

100 pages £3.49 10 pages for £1 Up to 300 pages

300 pages £9.99 10 pages for £1 Up to 900 pages

500 pages (NEW!) £16.49 10 pages for £1 Up to 1500 pages

700 pages £22.49 15 pages for £1 Up to 2100 pages

1500 pages (NEW!) £44.99 15 pages for £1 Up to 4500 pages

IvanOpinion

I am on the £1.99 plan (probably the new 99p one would do me once I get back in the office).
Looking at the prices though they are good value for money and compare very well against even cheap 'compatible' cartridges.

ants121

Received this email from hp instant ink yesterday

"On 07 December 2020, your 15 page plan will automatically convert to the 15 page plan shown below and you will automatically be able to roll over unused pages for more flexibility. You also have the option to upgrade to a different plan at hpinstantink.com/signin

MONTHLY PLANS PLAN FEE EXTRA PAGE SETS UNUSED PAGE ROLLOVER

15 pages £0.99 10 pages for £1 Up to 45 pages"

I thought  the offer of 15 free pages per month to print with free replacement ink was free for the life of the printer, can hp change this?