Understanding In Subscriptions

[kshoenke]

Hello, 

I am looking to help my grandma purchase a new printer. She’s partial to HP as all the HP printers she has had are wonderful. The new printers come with the Instant Ink feature included and rely heavily on WiFi. They’re out in the country and internet is not always reliable. Based on the product reviews I’m confused on if there’s an option to buy a printer without the subscription or if she has to buy it with it. I’ve seen several review stating difficulty cancelling or receiving ink if internet is an issue. 

the printer should be able to do color, black and white, and legal sized sheets of paper.

thanks!

[Dragon-Fur]

@kshoenke 

Welcome to the HP Community --

Instant Ink subscription is always an optional service -- never a requirement.

Dragon Opinion

Best stay away from the service in areas where the printer might not be able to stay connected to Web Services (Internet).

The service also involves other complexities that might not be best in a "remote" support situation.

Yes, depending on the location, supplies can be an occasional issue -- there are places in the USA where this could be true -- there are certainly places overseas where the local postal service might not be best suited to this type of delivery.

People who really benefit in spite of the expense and the complexities are those who print a lot - For example, Artists, families, home / small business offices, community centers.

"Make it stop" - When the subscription is not wanted

During setup of the printer, do not accept -- refuse / say "No, thanks" as many times as necessary to stop the message from continuing to offer the service.  Resist.

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HP+ is a different animal.

If you (they) purchase an HP+ eligible printer AND then enable the HP+ service contract, the purchase of the service does come with an extra year on the Warranty.  That said, the service also comes constant monitoring and other limitations. 

Side-bar to HP+ 

HP+ service might only be offered in the USA. 

Easy to avoid when it is not offered.

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Lastly,

Have your grandmother purchase her own printer.

Don't purchase a printer here in the USA and then ship it overseas.

Why?  Printer ink, that is the HP ink used in the printer, is based the region in which the printer is used -- what works here (in the USA) won't work "there".  Yes, it can be fixed -- No, it's not fun nor is it ideal to have to do that.

Warranty service, if needed might be more difficult, or even impossible if the model you purchase here is not sold "there".

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Start at the HP Store -- Check what's available here.

Then check for models available in the overseas location.

True - the models will likely be slightly different -- but you can certainly get an idea of what is available.

Dragon Opinion

Printers with full featured touchscreen Printer Control Panels are easier to use -- and do generally provide additional features.  For example, more paper sizes, standard "in tray" paper dispenser, and borderless printing.

Perhaps start with the HP Envy series as opposed to the generally more economical DeskJet series.

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