How can I get my Canadian printer to accept German cartridges? [ Edited ]

[quinet]

I am in Germany with my printer and I just purchased cartridges for my HP Photosmart 3210 All-in-One printer, which is out of warranty. I get the message from my printer that it will not accept these cartridges. From the HP site, I learn that even though the box says these cartridges are compatible with the 3210, this is a lie, because European cartridges are not compatible with North American printers.

There is apparently a simple procedure that the support rep can do with me to set up my computer to accept these cartridges. But there is no possibility for me to call, there is no phone number, I can buy extended support but this is unfair, it says on the box that these cartridges are compatible with the 3210, I paid 50 Euros for the cartridges, I put one in the printer so I cannot return them now, and I have no way to get in touch with HP. What kind of service is this????

[quinet]

I am replying to this message because I missed the "Email when someone replies" checkbox on the original message.

[Ciara_B]

Hi quinet

When you contacted phone support did you inform them that you need a regionalization reset?

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&lang=en&docname=c02558798

http://www8.hp.com/us/en/hp-information/summary/ww-contact-us.html

Thanks, Ciara

[quinet]

I did tell them this, and they directed me to the German HP tech support line, which is only open during hours when I am at work. I can't call them from work of course because my printer is at home. So now I must arrange for time off work to make this tech support call, and my suspicion is they will either not speak English or they will tell me to call the U.S.

The point I want to make to HP is, do NOT sell me €50 worth of merchandise and claim on the box that it is compatible with my printer when it is NOT. This is false and misleading and causes me and no doubt many others a great deal of trouble.

[gatorkaren]

I have to agree. I'm in Switzerland...have to use my Swiss com phone or my Verizon-USA phone, both of which will charge me HUGE (like $1.50/min.) to call support in the USA. I did call the Swiss one and the message was in German...and of course I speak English and some Spanish. I looked up the compatible product online before I bought the cartridges-which are VERY expensive in Switzerland. I'm in the middle of my dissertation-trying to print out data infomration so I can write about it...but can't.

Why can't I do this via chat? It won't let me contact online tech support because my warranty for the printer has expired...BUT the cartridges have one as well and they are BRAND NEW!! The link the regular chat person supplied to me  takes me to to the Swiss page in...you guessed it...GERMAN.

Anyone know how to get help onine to regionalize??????

[Ciara_B]

Hi gatorkaren, what printer model do you have?

Thanks

Ciara