Why 2 types of HP564 Black InkJet Cartridges?

[doone62]

I just bought my HP Photosmart B209A last month. I ran out of black ink. No problem ... I need a black 564 cartridge. So, I went to my local Walmart and bought one. Got it home and could not install it. The package says HP564 Photosmart, so I think I bought the right one. but no! Of course this is after I opened it and can not return it. Thanks, now I am out $10.00 all because HP can not label there products correctly. Why are there 2 types of 564 black cartridges? Yeah, I know (now) that one is for photos and one is for regular printing and some model printers use both. But my new B209A only uses the large pentagon style. No 564a or 564b or maybe a different number. No other designation unless you take the time to look under the 546 and see the little "photo black". Who would know, there is nothing in the manual that states the difference. it clearly states that this printer takes cartridge 564.

Obvoiusly Walmart does not know the difference either because the are all mixed in the same row.

Nice, gee thanks again HP! Will HP do anything about it? I guess I am doing my part to increase your profits. Next time, I will magically overlook all HP Products. Pretty pathetic for something as stupid as an inkjet cartridge.

[DexterM]

The 564 Photo Black cartridge is used by the high-end Photosmart Premium printers, like the Photosmart Premium C309a, C309g and C309n. The B209a implements only the black cartridge and not the photo black cartridge. But both of them use the same printing mechanism, thus the same cartridges. This is not just the case with HP. Other inkjet printer manufacturers like Canon and Epson too has 2 cartridges for the same color. I guess you'll call them stupid, and overlook all other inkjet printer manufacturers too? As a buyer, you need to know how to differentiate between different ink cartridges. If you failed to do so, then don't blame it on anyone else. Blame yourself since you failed to read the correct color name on the cartridge package.

As for what can be done, you could call HP Tech Support and explain the situation to them. They might make an exception and ship you a 564 black cartridge. Good luck.

[doone62]

Well golly, I can be silly at times but I was wondering if you could tell me on what page of the Owners Manual it explains the info concering the differences in the black ink cartridges and specifies a number besides 564. I can't find it.

[DexterM]

1. You definitely must have received the Reference Guide with the printer. It ships in the box. And the cartridges that your printer uses is mentioned in the 1st page.

2. On the HP Official Store (shopping.hp.com), under the Cartridges Section of the printer, all the compatible cartridges are listed. Click on each one of them will show you the cartridge itself, and the part number below the cartridge name.

3. The HP Sure Supply page, which shows the compatible cartridges and their resp. part numbers. (search for "B209" printer)

4. The Shop for HP Supplies program that is usually installed along with the printer software will show you the compatible cartridges for your printer.

5. The box the printer came in usually lists the compatible cartridges for your printer.

None of these pages list the HP Photo Black cartridge. Thus it will not work for your printer.

[Bob_Headrick]

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doone62 wrote:
Well golly, I can be silly at times but I was wondering if you could tell me on what page of the Owners Manual it explains the info concering the differences in the black ink cartridges and specifies a number besides 564. I can't find it.

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In addition to the links DexterM provided the following may help as well.

[DexterM]

Thanks for that link, Bob. Didn't know about it. Just bookmarked it for future reference. 

[drumma022]

I am really concerned by the labeling of the cartridges for the CD035A (B209A).  When I go to the HP store and enter the printer I have, one of the options that comes up is HP 564 Series Photo Value Pack which includes the wrong type of 564 cartridge.  Also, HP only provides a sticker that says the printer uses 564 cartridges.  This implies that all 564 cartridges will work, which is not true.  Best Buy doesn't even carry the correct standard sized 564 Black for my printer and would have to be forced to buy the XL version.

Now I have wasted $10 and have to drive all around town hunting for the right cartridge.

[drumma022]

This was the link I was refering to:

http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/product_detail.do?product_code=CD035A%23ABA&tab=accessories&aoid=5504&lang=en&cc=us

[ColoYooper]

I also purchased the HP Photosmart Plus printer and attempted to replace the black cartridge with an HP564, only to discover it is not the "correct" HP546 cartridge.  For HP to claim that it was my fault for not reading the manual is a total lack of competence and integrity on HP's part.  What, HP ran out of numbers to label their cartridges!  "Well Epson and Canon have done the same thing" BULL **bleep**.  If the printer requires a distinct cartridge, come up with a distinct part number.  Its not that difficult and engineering problem.

[grace2u]

I had the same problem.  I have to agree with the others who've written in.  One would think that when the printer's info under the cover simply says, HP ink cartridge 564 that if you get ANY 564 cartridge you'll be getting what fits in the printer.  I, too, bought a multipack (from Sam's Club) that simply noted it was 564xl cartridges.  Color and black included.  Who'd know that the color cartridges would fit fine but not the black??  Just doesn't make a lot of sense.  So I, too, am out some money because HP didn't specify WHICH black cartridges would/would not work.  If there was only ONE person who'd encountered the problem maybe you could blame it on the lone individual, but when others also have the same issue maybe it's time for HP to re-evaluate their labeling.  Respectfully suggested.