Well, I agree with you about the value of refilling, but I disagree about
using 3rd party cartridges.  I have an Epson 740 and get black for $7 and
color (3-color) for $9, plus volume discounts.  When I pay a net of $60-70
for a printer, I can't see spending $20-30 for black and color cartridges.


> Re-filling ink cartridges may be OK for some printers, but I would not
> recommend it while your printer is under warranty.  If you read
> some of the
> fine print you'll see that using non-manufacturer cartridges
> (re-fillables)
> will void your warranty. It could also be a problem with certain types of
> cartridges that use special inks.  Epson comes to mind because their
> cartridges are electrically charged and often use proprietary inks to
> achieve the photo-quality prints.  If you shop online for cartridges for
> your printer you can get some real deals.  When you're refilling
> cartridges
> attach some value to your time spent preparing to refill, refilling, and
> cleaning up afterward.  I think if you pay yourself a minimum wage of
> $10/hr. you'll find the money saving isn't much when weighed against the
> danger of damaging your printer.  For instance, I can buy the color
> cartridge for my Epson Stylus Photo 700 at CompUSA for $17.95,
> and have seen
> it online for $14.95.  This is a 5 color cartridge that just wouldn't be
> worth my time to refill.  The black cartridge is more expensive
> at the same
> store, but is only $21.95.  I'd have to be saving the cost of the
> cartridge
> to make it worthwhile.  HP cartridges are more expensive, but how
> much will
> I really save?  Is the savings worth it when weighed against my
> printer not
> working?  Kevin has a working system, but as he says, his
> cartridge is full
> of ball bearings which have to reduce the already limited capacity of the
> cartridge.  By now he must have to refill it much more often.  I am not
> against refilling, nor do I work for a printer manufacturer.  I just think
> as consumers we need to consider all sides of an issue.  If your time has
> zero value, you have a printer that's out of warranty, and you are on a
> budget, refills may be your cup of tea.

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