|
|
Post by Anita on Jan 4, 2015 0:21:31 GMT
We have an inexpensive Epson printer that we use to print a lot of misc. things - recipes, school papers, things for my son to color etc. It's out of ink, and instead of buying the Epson brand, I was wondering if anyone has experience with generic ink from Amazon. It's quite a bit cheaper, but I hate to waste my money if it doesn't work.
Thanks!
Anita
|
|
|
|
Post by KikiPea on Jan 4, 2015 0:24:41 GMT
I got a cartridge refill once. I put it in with the specific name brand ink and it was awful. I don't think it was the ink, though, as much as it didn't work with my name brand specific photo paper. It bled and ran like crazy. I wouldn't do it again.
|
|
|
|
Post by chaosisapony on Jan 4, 2015 0:29:15 GMT
I used generic ink for my Epson for a couple years. It always worked great. Didn't leak, didn't have any issues with print quality. However, towards the end I would have to clean my print heads constantly. I went through full ink cartridges just cleaning the print heads. Then after doing that for around six months I got a fatal message on the printer that the ink pads were full. They are not a replaceable part and that is part of Epson's planned obsolescence of a product. However my printer was only 4 years old and had less than 1/4 the total amount of prints run on it that you are supposed to be able to do before that message occurs. I was furious. I do wonder if the cheap ink had something to do with all that trouble that eventually killed the printer.
|
|
TXMary
Pearl Clutcher
And so many nights I just dream of the ocean. God, I wish I was sailin' again.
Posts: 3,410 
|
Post by TXMary on Jan 4, 2015 0:56:09 GMT
I have an Epson Artisan 835. It's getting harder to find ink for it and as much as I print it was crazy expensive. So I bought the generic on Amazon. I had serious doubts but it was so much cheaper that I was willing to give it a shot. I've been really pleased and can't tell the difference from the Epson cartridges honestly. I would and will order again.
|
|
|
|
Post by Eddie-n-Harley on Jan 4, 2015 1:16:59 GMT
When I was a poor grad student, I tried generic ink a couple of times for the printer I had. I went through the ink much faster than the brand name cartridges. When you save 50% of the cost but use twice as much, you're not really saving anything, so I went back to brand names and haven't bothered with a generic since.
I'm actually not sure if I could use generics in my current printer: the cartridges appear to have a microchip or something on them, I suspect to prevent me from doing just that.
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
Aug 18, 2025 21:57:16 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 4, 2015 1:53:06 GMT
A total waste of money. Ugh. Don't even get me started!!!
|
|
|
|
Post by lesley on Jan 4, 2015 2:05:24 GMT
I have tried them previously on our first Canon printer, and wasn't particularly impressed. The prints just weren't as vivid, and as someone said up thread, they didn't seem to last as long. I just fitted new cartridges today on our current printer, and considered ordering generics, but as I don't print a huge amount at home, I decided to stick with the branded ones.
|
|
grammanisi
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,748
|
Post by grammanisi on Jan 4, 2015 2:24:27 GMT
I have always used generic ink cartridges. I buy them on ebay or at Kroger's when they have a coupon.
|
|
|
|
Post by Anita on Jan 4, 2015 2:38:51 GMT
Thanks everyone! I appreciate the advice.
Anita
|
|
|
|
Post by cbet on Jan 4, 2015 2:45:24 GMT
I get cheapies from Amazon for my Canon and couldn't be happier with them. The last time I ordered, I got 6 sets of the 5 different cartridges my printer uses for less than the cost of 2 individual Canon-branded cartridges. Mine even have the microchip in them  Our IT guy at work recommends that anyone buying a printer for at home buy a Canon, because they are the least picky about using generic ink. Now, my mom has an HP and she can't use the cheap ink, because her printer tries to read the chip and it registers as expired. |
|
|
|
Post by JustKim on Jan 4, 2015 3:12:13 GMT
I get them refilled at Costco. Works great.
|
|
katybee
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,610
|
Post by katybee on Jan 4, 2015 3:31:37 GMT
I went through two Epson printers over the span of about four years. I did use the generic and refillable ink cartridges. Just like someone else said, the inkjets would always get clogged and I would have to clean and clean and clean them. It was a pain in the butt. And very expensive.
I decided to give up on Epson and got an HP printer. I vowed to never use anything but HP ink. It is more expensive, but I have not had clogged inkjets one time. I cannot tell you if it's because it's an HP printer not an Epson or if it's because I only use HP cartridges and not generic ones. But my printer is over four years old now and still works like new (knock on wood).
|
|
|
|
Post by scrappergonewild on Jan 4, 2015 3:33:53 GMT
We use this company and love the cartridges. They are way cheaper and work just fine. www.ldproducts.com |
|
|
|
Post by chaosisapony on Jan 4, 2015 3:49:10 GMT
I went through two Epson printers over the span of about four years. I did use the generic and refillable ink cartridges. Just like someone else said, the inkjets would always get clogged and I would have to clean and clean and clean them. It was a pain in the butt. And very expensive. I decided to give up on Epson and got an HP printer. I vowed to never use anything but HP ink. It is more expensive, but I have not had clogged inkjets one time. I cannot tell you if it's because it's an HP printer not an Epson or if it's because I only use HP cartridges and not generic ones. But my printer is over four years old now and still works like new (knock on wood). That was me. I switched to HP too. I had only ever owned HP prior to the Epson so I just decided to stick with what worked. When I was shopping I specifically chose the printer that had the features I wanted but that took a less expensive type of cartridge. That printer is about two years old now, I have only had to replace the cartridges twice and they are pretty economical unlike the Epson cartridges. |
|
|
|
Post by epeanymous on Jan 4, 2015 3:50:16 GMT
I had an Epson printer and had the same experience tinaev had -- I started having to clean my print heads constantly, and then the printer ink pads showed as full, and my printer died in a way that could not be repaired.
I won't use them again.
|
|
