Instant ink

[PieandPudsmum]

'm relieved to find others with similar issues and a solution has been stated for me to explore, however I have a bag full of half-empty genuine HP cartridges bought from the Supermarket and now proving useless. It was no surprise to find that the 'instant ink' ones worked however only the tricolor one is installed so any moment now, I'm waiting for yet another error message saying I need to remove the 'non genuine cartridge' (when it is in fact a genuine Hp cartridge that I'd wrongly assumed  would work alongside the new instant ink variety). I'm very annoyed that I have built up a stock of seemingly useless cartridges and have now had to go with the instant ink option. (especially as the ones declared 'unfit' were XL in the hopes that  I would be able to print effortlessly without any trouble for a while. I'm not impressed HP,  and would have given my feedback to the repair website using my passcode however that URL was down for a few hours yesterday so I was unable to do so. I'd just like to add that my EPSON all in one printer has held it's end of the bargain up and thank goodness it was still there and able to do it's job. WIth Social media allowing us to spread the word - I think maybe better customer support and a clear statement regarding usage with other genuine but non-instant ink warnings before signing up to instant ink would be in order don't you think? 

[Dragon-Fur · Accepted solution]

@PieandPudsmum

Your retail ink is not useless.  You can use it if you remove all the Instant Ink cartridges from the printer and replace the ink with your own cartridges. 

The Catch

You are subscribed to the Instant Ink Service - the service does not just stop because you are not using the prescribed ink cartridges.  That means that you can use your own ink but the subscription remains active - the printer is supposed to be communicating with the service (and cannot do so fully because you removed the Instant Ink cartridges) and the monthly charge for the subscription is still active (the bill must be paid).

If you have a true over abundance of retail ink on hand, then the timing to join the Instant Ink Service might not have been ideal.  The Service saves you money by providing ink on a print-by-page subscription.

The Service is not able to save you money if you previously spent money on stock piling retail ink.  (Stock piling is used to loosely describe having your own "bag full of ink".  Nothing malicious is intended.)

These are PERSONAL opinions, by the way.  I do not work for HP and I have absolutely no ties or professional interest in the Instant Ink Service.

If you have not done so, take the time to read the Terms of Service contract.  Doing so will help you decide whether the Service meets your current needs.

HP Instant Ink Service Contract

HP Instant Ink - Terms of Service  (Click Flag to switch to your region)

Topics (Sections) in the document include (and are not limited to):

• Instant Ink Service Requirements – including subtopics:
  • Printer Needs to be Connected to Internet
  • Instant Ink Program Cartridges Provided to You (Read this one!)
  • Instant Ink Program Cartridges Must Be Returned to HP by You (Read this one!)
• Choosing an Instant Ink Service Plan – including subtopics:
  • What is a page? (Read this one!)
  • Rollover Pages (Reminder: The Free plan does not include “rollover” pages)
• Cancellation
• Instant Ink Programs – including subtopics:
  • Fifteen (15) -Free-Pages-Per-Month Program (Where available)
• Customer Support Center -- Cloud Services Contact Phone Number / options

                                                         *******************************************

We have "roving" agents that peruse the forum and look for Instant Ink concerns.  You also have the option to contact Instant Ink Support to ask for help, to discuss your options, and to offer your opinions.  The Instant Ink staff is interested in your experience and in your feedback.

______________________________________________________________

Instant Ink / HP Technical Support

Reminders: 

• Support is restricted to regular business hours as defined in your location.
• For any HP document, find and click the Flag to change to your region / language.

Things that are Instant Ink

Please take the time to read the warnings regarding thieves and vermin:

Scams and Unscrupulous Contacts

From HP:  HP Fraud Alert: Protect Yourself from Scams, Report Suspicious Calls

_________________________________________________________________

Reminders

• Chat is not an option in every region. Choose phone contact if Chat is not available.
• In those areas where Chat is an option, the service may not be available all of the time.

______________________________________________________

  Option:  Agent Response

Choose to wait for an HP Agent to find and respond to your request here on the forum.

If there is a response from HP: 

• An HP agent will always post back on the forum before contacting you privately.

• Agents are identified by the "HP" icon  next to the Profile ID avatar.

• HP Moderators are identified by the "Mod" icon  next to the Profile ID avatar

Option:  Contact HP Technical Support

Specify help for Instant Ink / HP Connected / Web Services

HP World-Wide Support

Select your country / region from the list and follow the prompts

Option:  Contact HP Instant Ink Support in your region

In USA or Canada

Cloud Services (during normal business hours):  1-855-785-2777

• Verify the phone number in your Terms of Service document

In UK

Specify help for Instant Ink / HP Connected / Web Services 0207 660 0596

• Verify Phone Number in document Contact HP UK – Phone Assist
• HP Instant Ink - UK - Overview / FAQs

Thank you for participating in the HP Community Forum.

We are a world community of HP enthusiasts dedicated to supporting HP technology.

[Riddle_Decipher]

@PieandPudsmum

Thank you for posting in HP Forums!

I understand your concern and would love to help you,

however, the instructions to help you sort this out, can't be shared in public due to HP's privacy statement: Click here to learn more.

That said, please check your Private message icon on the upper right corner of your HP Forums profile, using the blue envelope: 

Click here for more details on how to access the private messages on HP Forums

I hope your day gets better, good luck.

[jvivanco]

After what appears to be hours upon hours trying to get a human being on the phone about my not receiving black instant cartridges I found a phone number for support for the Instant Ink Program in the USA.

The phone number is: 1.855.785.2777 Good luck.

[RichardKrat]

What a complete ripoff!  I decided to try instant ink over a year ago.  I paid every month since then, but only received ONE shipment of ink since I don't use the printer as often as I thought I would.  That's fine, but now that I decided to cancel my service, the ink cartridges I currently installed don't work!  Are You Kidding me?  I have paid for this ink many times over.  This is pure Bait and Switch literally.  [content removed]

[Dragon-Fur]

@RichardKrat

I am sorry you are upset.

Instant Ink is a print by page subscription service.

The Instant Ink cartridges do not (and never did) belong to you.  Instant Ink cartridges are (and remain) the property of HP.  At the conclusion of the Instant Ink Service, the cartridges should have been removed from the printer and returned to HP.

At the least, know that the Instant Ink cartridges will have to be removed from the printer and replaced.  Purchase ink from your online / local store.

Contract Cancellation Information

HP Instant Ink - Cancelling Your HP Instant Ink Service

Scroll to the bottom and click the Flag to change region.

More Information - Instant Ink Service Contract

What is Instant Ink?

• Instant Ink Service is not "free ink". Ink is included at no cost extra in each of the plans – the service is based on number of pages printed and not on how much ink is used.

• With the exception of “Instant Ink Ready” cartridges that come in the box with some new printers (and are marked as “Instant Ink Ready”), you do not own any of the Instant Ink Cartridges.

READ your regional HP Instant Ink - Terms of Service document to understand the service, the benefits, and your responsibilities. (Click Flag to switch to your region)

• Contact information is included in the Terms of Service document.
• Login to Instant Ink account is NOT required to read the Terms of Service document.

Topics (Sections) in the document include (and are not limited to):

• Instant Ink Service Requirements – including subtopics:
  • Printer Needs to be Connected to Internet
  • Instant Ink Program Cartridges Provided to You (Read this one!)
  • Instant Ink Program Cartridges Must Be Returned to HP by You (Read this one!)
• Choosing an Instant Ink Service Plan – including subtopics:
  • What is a page? (Read this one!)
  • Rollover Pages (Reminder: The Free plan does not include “rollover” pages)
• Cancellation
• Instant Ink Programs – including subtopics:
  • Fifteen (15) -Free-Pages-Per-Month Program (Where available)
• Customer Support Center -- Cloud Services Contact Phone Number / options

Thank you for participating in the HP Community Forum.

We are a world community of HP enthusiasts dedicated to supporting HP technology.