About to buy ah HP Printer... but looks like it's a bit of a scam now....

[Xtartup]

My Brother printer finally stopped printing. It was a short and unhappy life for this MFC printer - it had problems almost every time I tried to use it.  I call it the "Brother Treeburner 1000" based on the number of pages I have had to throw out because of printing problems (and Brother's annoying tendency to print out a network status page every time it has to reconnect to the network - which is basically every time you want to use it.)

I am now looking at a new printer and looked at the reviews of HP, and this Instant Ink thing looks like the kind of scam some business school kid thought would be a great way to make money by trapping customers into something they did not really want. 

Thanks to those who posted warnings about this - I imagine a company that has to trap its customers has a product that requires that kind of clever trickery. Any suggestions on a company that makes a decent printer that does not burn trees or require a daily shipment of ink as the HP seems to require?

[Dragon-Fur]

@Xtartup 

Instant Ink Print-by-Page Subscription is NOT mandatory.

In fact, you must choose to sign up for the service.

If you don't want it, you simply decline the offer when it is made.

People who save money using the service are typically those to print regularly and print more than a few sheets a month.  For example, the service might make sense for teachers, lawyers, small business owners, large family groups, community centers.  The service is is likely unnecessary for someone who prints five pages one week, nothing for three weeks, ten pages, then nothing for a while, taxes during tax season, maybe a Christmas letter.

The problem, if there is one at all, is that people might not understand the product and perhaps believe it is something it is not.  Reading the contract (Terms of Service) goes a long ways to helping potential subscribers to understand the service.

You should purchase the brand and type of printer that meets your needs.

It does sound like you are not a candidate for a subscription service that includes ink.

HP manufactures some great products.

Regardless of brand, please take the time to read about the printer you intend to purchase:  Find and read the user manual, the datasheet, and importantly - read the Specifications (what the printer can do).

If you decide to join us, we will be here.

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