I'm looking for the best price on genuine Epson ink for my Stylus Photo R380 ink jet printer. Can't find much in the way of bargains right now other than free shipping, and I'm searching for the most reputable outlet with the best price. Does anyone have a favorite? Thanks very much. Gladys
This has been discussed, but here is a concise description of the situation from one bulk injet dealer in the US:
"On October 19, 2007 the U.S. International Trade Commission ('ITC') issued a Final Determination that confirmed that all of the more than 750 accused cartridges for Epson inkjet printers infringe one or more of eleven Epson patents. The ITC issued a General Exclusion Order prohibiting all importers from importing infringing cartridges and Cease and Desist Orders that prohibit the named respondents from selling cartridges imported before the ITC Order. The ITC also ordered a bond of $13.60 per imported cartridge for imports during the 60 day Presidential Review period." quoted from http://itc.epson.com/
What this means is that Epson got some patents on the design of the cartridge (the actual plastic box, the valves inside and such) along with the design of the chip that reports ink levels. Infringing cartridges can't even be imported into the United States unless a $13.60 bond is paid for each cartridge - the bond is only returned if the POTUS [president of the US] decides against the determination of the ITC, which is very unlikely.
As of October 9, 2007 we no longer carry Epson compatible cartridges, nor Epson compatible bulk feed systems (which also contain cartridges) - we only carry original Epson cartridges and bulk ink that can be used to refill bulk feed systems that are already in use. We also still carry original HP and Canon ink cartridges along with some canon cartridge refilling supplies. In the very near future you will see Epson compatible cartridges slide into the dark regions of the Internet - much like ED pills and the like. Reputable sellers will not be carrying them....Show more →
While this is specifically about a US ruling, Epson has succeeded in getting similar rulings in Europe and settlements in Hong Kong, and they're probably not going to stop legal pressure anywhere.
Glady's, go to: www.atlex.com
If you are in a pinch, go to any Staples Office Store and ASK FOR THE ON-LINE PRICE and you will get a better price. Atlex is the best place to get Epson inks and great prices on ink jet papers. Good luck.
Peter Urbanski wrote:
Glady's, go to: www.atlex.com
If you are in a pinch, go to any Staples Office Store and ASK FOR THE ON-LINE PRICE and you will get a better price. Atlex is the best place to get Epson inks and great prices on ink jet papers. Good luck.
John Ernst Sr. wrote:
I just bought more ink for my 1800 at Office Depot. I get a $3.00 credit for each empty cart I return.
John
This is going away on Epson cartridges. I used to get $3 per cartridge at CompUSA but they don't do this with Epson any longer (of course they shuttering so they won't do it for anyone soon). I know Staples only takes HP and Lemxmark cartridges for a discount. I would expect Office Depot stops doing this soon.
Which leads me back to the question I asked a few weeks ago and got not responses. There are other compatible inks out there that are much cheaper. Has anyone tried these yet?
John Ernst Sr. wrote:
Which leads me back to the question I asked a few weeks ago and got not responses. There are other compatible inks out there that are much cheaper. Has anyone tried these yet?
John
There's one outfit that makes bulk inks for the Epson that everyone says are compatible. they also sell the chip-reset device and instructions on how you can refill yourself. I've never used them but I did try refilling once and wrecked a Canon printer (one of the inks clotted and took out the print head). never again. Especially with the importance of color management, profiling and softproofing I just could not justify the cost savings in relation to the quality of my prints.
regards,
Jon
I tried a CIS on an older Epson. It worked fine for the first set of tanks but as the second set was installed, I kept getting an ink-out message. Couldn't get the contacts to work properly so I took it out. What I was referring to are actual carts made by somone else. No refilling. The can be bought on Amazon. A set for my printer $39, but I'm a little leery about trying them. Epson claims using 3rd party inks will not void the warranty but may damage the printer. You're not much better off with Canon or HP. From what I've seen the prices a pretty much the same. On the surface it looks like we have an Anti-trust sutuation going on here.
Just as an afterthought, wouldn't there be some howling if those of us on medications had to buy "name brand" drugs instead of Generic drugs.
On the surface it looks like we have an Anti-trust sutuation going on here.
Actually Epson has recently won patent infringement settlements and court decisions in several places around the world against 3rd party makers of compatible cartridges, and it's likely they will win more. I expect the supply of compatible cartridges will dry up very quickly.
They've intimidated one maker of continuous ink systems in Hong Kong into ceasing production, and I'm sure they aren't finished. My personal feeling is that if any CIS manufacturer stood up to them in court, Epson would lose, but who knows.
than at Atlex. For the last few months I've been purchasing my ink from them rather than Atlex as I've found the prices to be less and the shipping is also more reasonable.
Shipping is a bit more reasonable----I just did a preliminary checkout and a set of the eight cartridges came to $5 less at PC Superstore than at Atlex---still $5 is $5!
I know this is a bit off topic, but kind of on.... A lot of people complain that the ink doesnt last and it is pricey to keep buying ink. I just wanted to throw out there that yesterday I printed 40 11x17 prints on luster premium paper with the highest settings the epson 1400 would go for the max quality. They came out amzing and also I only went through 1 and a half full sets of ink. now I think that is a lot of printing 40 11x17 full color and come b/w prints at top quality.
