Ink Cartridges
By maildumpster
@maildumpster (3815)
United States
March 26, 2007 12:34pm CST
So what do you do when your ink is empty? Do you chuck them and go buy new ones? Do you recycle or donate them to a cause? Do you trade them in to a store for some money off new ones? Or do you refill them?
I personally refill them. I can do so for a dollar or two per refill. I usually can refill them at least 5 times (usually more) before the cartridge starts giving me problems. I own a Lexmark printer. The cartridges for it are some of the most expensive ones I have ever seen; so for me refilling is the best alternative.
11 people like this
38 responses
@maildumpster (3815)
• United States
30 Mar 07
I don't know a thing about laser printers. I am sure you will find the cheapest alternative for you.
Good luck.
@lloydanthony111 (4698)
• United States
27 Mar 07
I take mine empty ink cartride to Office Max. They trade you a ream of printing paper for your empty cartride. I haven't bought paper in years.
Lloyd
@maildumpster (3815)
• United States
27 Mar 07
Oh I have never heard of that before. I have heard of stores giving a few dollars off a new cartridge when you trade in a used one. That's cool.
What type of printer do you have?
1 person likes this
@margieanneart (26423)
• United States
27 Mar 07
I have an expensive printer, and can only purchase the individual inks as is, at least that is what I think. I may beable to refill them. So for now, I just return them to the store for a $1. credit toward the new one of $16.99 each. I have rated you again with a +. It will help keep that score up, and bring more money to you.
1 person likes this
@maildumpster (3815)
• United States
30 Mar 07
That's a good price for ink. It is good your store gives you a credit.
@revdauphinee (5703)
• United States
26 Mar 07
I also use a lexmark printer and the price of cartridges is ridiculous i used to be a chemist and no one can tell me it cost enough to make them to warant the price when i need them i go to a store that rebates me for my empty ones !
@maildumpster (3815)
• United States
26 Mar 07
Have you ever tried refilling them? I do it all the time now. I only buy new ones if I absolutely have to.
I strongly believe that they are WAY over priced!!
2 people like this
@revdauphinee (5703)
• United States
25 May 07
i tryed once and withmy arthritic hands and two fingers missing i made an awfull mess wont try that again!
@guardiangel (118)
• Philippines
27 Mar 07
Here in our country, there's some guys going around and wants to buy an empty ink cartridge for $5.00 for HP. Good for me that I did not throw my empties. I got 10 empties, so they bought it for $50.00.
@maildumpster (3815)
• United States
28 Mar 07
That's pretty good. What country is that? Is it the whole country or just where you are?
1 person likes this
@maildumpster (3815)
• United States
30 Mar 07
Cool so in at least parts of the Philipines they buy old cartridges. That's good!
@heartsock (34)
• Canada
27 Mar 07
i dont buy ink its wayyy to expencive these days i email to my work and print it off there :) but i would just refill then buy cheep somewhere then refill seems the smartest thing =\
1 person likes this
@maildumpster (3815)
• United States
30 Mar 07
Not everyone can do that. Luckily my hubby can print up some stuff for me at work so that helps too.
@melody1011 (1663)
• India
27 Mar 07
There is no exchance facility for me here. We have to buy new cartridges. Even the re-fillin kits are not too good. The cartridges are all leaky and would damage the printer. so i opt to buy new ones. I dont do a lot of printing at home so it works out pretty ok.
@maildumpster (3815)
• United States
30 Mar 07
If you don't have to do a lot of printing buying new isn't too bad. Do you buy the name brand or the remanufactured one? The second choice is cheaper.
@Buchi_bulla (8298)
• India
27 Mar 07
Your discussion topic is about my problem regarding refilling of cartridge. I have HP printer and my black ink cartridge was empty. Somebody said usually people refill 5 or 6 times and why not I do for two three times. I thought it is a good advise and got it refilled. Now my computer says the cartridge is not correct. I do not know, why it says so, when so many people refill and use. I think I will have to go in for new one now and the refill cost is waste.
1 person likes this
@maildumpster (3815)
• United States
30 Mar 07
Sorry you had problems. I know some have a computer chip that needs resetting. Maybe yours does?
@RogerTheRabbit (1271)
• Portugal
27 Mar 07
Sometimes buying a new printer is cheaper then buying the ink cartridges.
I don't use my printer too much, since I use the school printer in order to save some money on the ink cartridges.
But when I need to exchange the ink cartridges I send them to refill since it's way more cheaper then buying new ones.
1 person likes this
@maildumpster (3815)
• United States
28 Mar 07
Ah using the company printer. Seems many people do that. I have my hubby run off copies and such at his work for us even though I have a copier, scanner, printer. (well if I need many copies of something)
1 person likes this
@NatureBoy (493)
• Singapore
27 Mar 07
I do refills too. I got Canon and HP ones. But some of the refills are really bad, as in the ink smudges and sorts. So watch out if you are planning to print on some good paper or high color intensive stuff.
1 person likes this
@maildumpster (3815)
• United States
28 Mar 07
I usually am just printing stuff for homeschooling my girls. If I do want something to be really nice I have my hubby print it at work. (he works for a printing company)
1 person likes this
@maildumpster (3815)
• United States
30 Mar 07
Well I hope that you raise lots of money. Congrats on the adoption!!
Lots of people toss them out.
@avinashrocks007 (82)
• India
27 Mar 07
It kinda depends on the situation; but, i usually go in for a new cartridge. This is because i have an inkjet printer (HP All-in-one) and refilling spoils print quality in inkjet printers. Therefore, i find it wise to really use new ones rather going for the alternative.
@maildumpster (3815)
• United States
30 Mar 07
If the cartridge isn't filled correctly it can sure make a mess of things. YOu hvae good reasons for buying new.
@kaperkitty (1097)
• Canada
27 Mar 07
I own an hp apollo printer which i just love i have had it for years now.the ink is still pretty expensive so iget mine refilled for 15 for the color and 10 for the black .so it saves me money and re uses the cartridges..I print a lot so its a great thing to not worry about the cost
Cheryl
1 person likes this
@maildumpster (3815)
• United States
30 Mar 07
Yeah I print a LOT too. I wouldn't be able to if I didn't refill!
@revanth143 (3)
• India
27 Mar 07
i dont buy new cartridges usually, i fill the old cartridges and get them recycled when they r over, usually ppl dont have time to refill so they do buy new cartridges and there is no harm in buying new cartridges, if the cartridges r made of eco friendly products then there is no harm in buying those cartridges.i use a epson printer, there is no refilling section in my printer so i have only one option to buy new ones
1 person likes this
@maildumpster (3815)
• United States
28 Mar 07
Have you checked the sites that sell refill ink? Most of them will have instructions on how to fill your cartridge. There are few that can't be refilled
1 person likes this
@cutepenguin (6431)
• Canada
27 Mar 07
I'm not big on the refills - I haven't tried, but I haven't heard a lot of positive things about them. We try to recycle ours and then buy new cartridges.
1 person likes this
@maildumpster (3815)
• United States
28 Mar 07
Thank you. Lots of people including myself have had problems with refills. There are definite tricks to it.
1 person likes this
@maildumpster (3815)
• United States
28 Mar 07
Thank you for your reply. I think that refilling is probably cheapest.
1 person likes this
@maildumpster (3815)
• United States
28 Mar 07
Yep I try to refill at least 5 times.
Thanks for replying.
1 person likes this
@jep_toyo (1606)
• Philippines
27 Mar 07
i usually sell my empty cartridges. But lately refilling stations are popping out from nowhere. I am thinking of trying it because it will save me some bucks with refills. I have friends that told me that they are satisfied with the refill ones, they usually use it for not that important documents that they need to print out. Some of my friends are not satisfied at all because of blotting or quality of the ink. Well, I think i'll try it once just to see if its good or not.
1 person likes this
@maildumpster (3815)
• United States
28 Mar 07
I would guess it depends on the refilling station and the type of cartridge. I would try it more than once before totally giving up.
1 person likes this
@DecemberBreeze (215)
• United States
27 Mar 07
I save them and take them back to the store. Sometimes they run a special where they give you a pack of printer paper for each one you return to Staples.
@maildumpster (3815)
• United States
28 Mar 07
Thanks. That is a good thing to do.
1 person likes this
