Instant Ink calculation

[sideslip]

I have recently started with Instant Ink and received my initial opening pack although I still had plenty remaining from conventional ink purchases. My concern is counting sheets of paper and not ink used.

Sometimes when I print out emails there is just one line left over for the following page - therefore two pages pass through the printer. Today I printed two single pages that for some reason printed a blank page at the end of each - and they were only one page long. Am I assessed as having printed 4 pages or just the two that carried ink?

We are buying INK from HP, not paper so surely the only legitimate and accurate measure can be ink usage.

The printer has an identifier displaying ink levels so there is obviously a way for HP to detect levels. If HP are NOT measuring ink used and only pages then the advertsing is to my mind misrepresenting the product/service. Trade Descriptions Act?

I am a long standing and satisfied customer of all HP products but I feel that somewhere they have lost directon on this one. UNLESS of course I am wrong and they are indeed only measuring ink lavels. Having said that the idea is excellent as long as it only responds to actual ink usage.

[sabretooth04]

Having only one drop of ink on a page, counts as one page printed. 

[sideslip]

Sabre tooth, Thanks for your reply. That's very bad news. So HP are not selling an ink programme but a paper programme on the presumption that ink has been used.  You did not say what happenens when sheets go through unprinted. Why was that? What if they failed to provide new ink on , say the 100 page contract, after I had printed 100 pages of A4 full colour photographs? Surely they would be in breach of contract - simply from the advertsising message alone. Something very wrong here that needs to be addressed as the idea of regular ink supplies fom HP is good.  Who can I speak to at HP? Do you have an email address for them?

[sabretooth04]

Well I'm not an expert in Instant Ink, but maybe someone else who is can jump in here.

However from what I read on the web, Instant Ink is best suited for those who print lots of color pictures.  Now so much as a little text as you have figured out.    If a sheet goes through with no ink on it, it is not counted in your Instant Ink account. 

Here is some info, I'm sure there is more on the web.

https://www.ldproducts.com/blog/the-fine-print-8-things-you-should-know-before-signing-up-for-hp-ins...

[RichAnt]

Hello Sideslip,

Here are contacts.  This is a complex issue; Sabertooth's informative link is very enlightening.  Many negative experiences, but most folks who are satisfied do not bother to comment.  It appears if you print 50, 100 or 300 color 8x10 pages per month it would be worth it (along with living with the hassles mentioned).  

I am not anywhere near any expert and don't use Instant Ink.  Lots of actual user's info from the link.  For example, Sideslip, you say:  "What if they failed to provide new ink on , say the 100 page contract, after I had printed 100 pages of A4 full colour photographs?"   The kicker is the extra charge for any pages over the 50, 100 or 300.  You would not have run out of ink yet, but would have to pay extra for overage pages in order to use the printer that month. It appears that since the Instant Ink cartridges are even larger that the HP Xl one, that you would not have run out of ink until you print more than 415 pages (see HP Xl cartridge specs at end).   Also, note you can carry over 100 unused pages into next month.

In USA/Canada telephone You will need to contact the Service customer support center at 1-855-785-2777 or www.hp.com/go/instantinksupport for assistance.    (copy and paste into your browser's address line)  Be prepared to be on hold or deal with recorded robo answers.

HP Customer Support Telephone: 0207 660 0596  GBr terms of service - :  

https://instantink.hpconnected.com/uk/en/terms 

This link has information about the program.

https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c03760650  Instant Ink Info/ program

Here's prices on retail cartridges.

Walmart prices (as of 08-28-17):

HP62XL cartridges: $31 (b&w  600pg.);  $29 (color  415pg.)

HP 62 cartridges:    $13 (b&w  200pg.);  $18 (tricolor165pg.)

Best Buy prices (as of 08-30-17): HP 62 $13 (black -  regular price $l7  ) and  $18

If you still have particular questions, get back about it.  I am not an HP employee, just searching for answers for queries.  

Good luck.

Also, you said "I still had plenty remaining from conventional ink purchases."  Those will dry out.  You don't have to start the Instant Ink cartridges immediately.  However, if you already have, you're screwed, as they won't work while enrolled.  You can attempt to store them.  Place with nozzles up in an airtight container (no plastic bags).  Place a small piece of moiste cloth in the container.  

Also, when you cancel, be sure to have replacement cartridges on hand as they will disable the Instant Ink cartridges.  Time the event when you have used up the 50, 100, or 300 and before the monthly billing cycle on the CC.  You will still run into problems.

[sideslip]

RichAnt  Thanks for your details. As far as excess usage is concerned I was emailed by HP last month that I only had so many pages to go before the deadline so I was OK although I had to step up a level with my monthly payment. I have kept a record of all cartridge purchases for the last four years and as soon as Instant Ink looks expensive I will opt out BUT it is very convenient and I dont have to go looking for prices online or physically shopping. However, using pages to measure usage to my mind is disingenuous as it is inkt that should be measured. For example if you print double sided is that one page or two as the printer does not seem to go though the same cycle of moving the sheet it is printing on. I will stay with it for the time being and see how it goes.