Is it safe to use setup ink cartridges to depletion?

[KenLong]

Is it safe to use the setup ink cartridges to depletion? 

Staples claims the printers do not include real ink and that the setup cartridges contain grease and are only good for the initial setup and will damage the printer if continually used. HP says to use them to depletion and then replace them. Which is it? Should I replace them as soon as my new ink arrives, or use them to depletion? 

[sabretooth04 · Accepted solution]

Grease?  Time to find a new Staples.  Yes you can use them to depletion.  However I would change them when they show low ink.

[RichAnt]

Hello Ken,

Wow!  It's insane that an ink cartridge would have grease.  You happened to find a dishonest or stupid sales representative of Staples.   That individual wanted to make another sale with you.  Bummer.   I would  complain to the store manager (not an Assistant) plus get on Staples  support forum (google for Staples Support) and email, chat or call Corporate to advise them of that retailer.   (or you can just move on, also)

What you should do is monitor the ink levels periodically, from the front display panel.  Do not use them to depletion.   I have replaced the b&w, and I  am still on my initial color cartridge after 5 months, but don't print in color.  Good luck.

[KenLong]

I have already done these things. I was just looking for confirmation of what I believed before I made these accusations. 

I believe this was the store or floor manager and she repeated the same claim yesterday when I went in to return the ink I had bought. The salespeople at Staples all tell you that printers dont come with usable ink and I always wind up returning the new ink I buy and waiting for a good sale. In this case HP Instant Ink seems cheaper than buying my own.  

Thanks, I did contact HP support and Staples support and complain about this behavior. 

[RichAnt]

Hello again Ken,

Thanks for the Thumbs Up; much appreciated.  One thought on the Instant Ink.  If you will print or copy more than 50, 100 or 300 per month, it could be for you.  The single ink cartridges print lots of pages.  

One caveat, if you go over, just by one page, they charge additional.  Also if you happen not to use the pages you sign up for, it's a waste. 

There's lots of queries atout Instant Ink on the forum.  In the "Post a New Question" at the top of this page, enter "HP Instant Ink" in the entry line (magnifying glass).

HP Instant Ink plans cost:    50/MONTH @ $3; 100/MONTH@  $5; 300/MONTH @  $10

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 (multicolor) (regular price $22)

[sabretooth04]

---

@RichAnt wrote:

Hello again Ken,

Thanks for the Thumbs Up; much appreciated.  One thought on the Instant Ink.  If you will print or copy more than 50, 100 or 300 per month, it could be for you.  The single ink cartridges print lots of pages.  

One caveat, if you go over, just by one page, they charge additional.  Also if you happen not to use the pages you sign up for, it's a waste. 

There's lots of queries atout Instant Ink on the forum.  In the "Post a New Question" at the top of this page, enter "HP Instant Ink" in the entry line (magnifying glass).

@hp Instant Ink plans cost:    50/MONTH @ $3; 100/MONTH@  $5; 300/MONTH @  $10

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 (multicolor) (regular price $22)

---

Not correct.  They go to your rollover pages for the next month and can be used.

[KenLong]

At 3.00/month, 36/year this may, or may not be a good deal. I have 5 months for free to find out.

I tend to use less than the 50 pages I signed on for. But as mentioned up to 50 can rollover each month.  

Instant Ink is new to me, but it's a free trial. My main interest is in whether the rollover pages expire or whether I can build up a reserve of 50 pages. 

Typically I would replace at least one of my individual color XL cartridges in a year. I'm not sure how this compares to the tri-color cartridge, but I've heard that they are less economical if you do a lot of color printing. If I replace a tri-color XL cartridge every year and a half and a black XL every 2 years it comes out about even. More often than that and it saves money. 

[RichAnt]

Thank you Sabertooth.  I had forgotten about that.  Good job!

However, I would assume that  you  could go over the 50 pages plus 50 page rollover, as well.  Just need to keep track of page count.

Also, Ken has a sound analysis of the relative costs.  If you print a lot of color photos (say 50 per month) the Instant Ink will likely work.  As you say, you have free months to find out.  BTW, I don't use Instant Ink, so only know what I may read.

Rich