Rankin Article on HP's "Dirty Tricks"

[Joe]

Bob Rankin has a column today about HP engaging in "dirty tricks" with respect to their ink jet printers. It appears that they put in some code in one of their software "updates" designed to not allow you to print if you are using (1) non-HP cartridges or (2) genuine HP cartridges that have not been purchased recently. It tells you (falsely) that the inkjet cartridges have been "damaged" and you should replace them with new, genuine HP cartridges.

Apparently, HP loses money on its printers. But it makes up for the loss when you purchase HP ink cartridges. So apparently this "trick" is put in to spur HP ink cartridge sales.

One of the "morals" of this story is refrain from upgrading your software.(!)

HP Playing Dirty Tricks?

He also links to a good article about how to minimize what you print.

Save Time and Money with Alternatives to Printing – Rankin File

(I own and use/have used HP inkjet printers.)

 

[Capstan]

I stopped buying HP products, after owning two of their notebooks, both of which failed, also after reading about their unethical (possibly illegal) business practices, not to mention the sorry state (nonexistent) of their customer service.

 

[beancounter]

.

Apparently, HP loses money on its printers. But it makes up for the loss when you purchase HP ink cartridges. So apparently this "trick" is put in to spur HP ink cartridge sales.

Yep, it's time tested business model often attributed (incorrectly) to Gillette.

Freebie marketing - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[Joe]

I stopped buying HP products, after owning two of their notebooks, both of which failed, also after reading about their unethical (possibly illegal) business practices, not to mention the sorry state (nonexistent) of their customer service.

Do you own a printer now? If so, what type is it? (Laser, ink jet, other?) And what brand is it? (Just curious.)

 

[Capstan]

Do you own a printer now? If so, what type is it? (Laser, ink jet, other?) And what brand is it? (Just curious.)

Sorry, I know HP only from their PCs. I've never had a printer. The harddrives in both HP notebooks failed within 2-years, and had to be replaced. Also, the DVD drives (manufactured by Toshiba) in both units failed to read disks with any reliability, and the lid-hinges in one unit were too weak to hold the display in place. Trying to get help from HP was like running into a brick wall. I've had a Dell notebook for about 3-years, and it's been a much better experience, including support, although the DVD drive in it (also made by Toshiba) also doesn't work.

Sorry I can't help about printers, but I'm very negative about the HP company as a whole. I also have serious doubts about Toshiba.

 

[Joe]

Sorry, I know HP only from their PCs. I've never had a printer.

How do you get along without one?

The harddrives in both HP notebooks failed within 2-years, and had to be replaced. Also, the DVD drives (manufactured by Toshiba) in both units failed to read disks with any reliability, and the lid-hinges in one unit were too weak to hold the display in place. Trying to get help from HP was like running into a brick wall. I've had a Dell notebook for about 3-years, and it's been a much better experience, including support, although the DVD drive in it (also made by Toshiba) also doesn't work.

Sorry I can't help about printers, but I'm very negative about the HP company as a whole. I also have serious doubts about Toshiba.

I am sorry to hear that. I have a Toshiba laptop. It has served me well, but I've rarely used the built in DVD drive and never had to contact Toshiba for support. I have a Dell desktop, currently non-functional due to a Windows problem. But the computer itself seems to work well.

 

[Capstan]

How do you get along without one?

I need to print a document maybe once a year. My neighbor (and cousin) lets me use hers. In exchange, I feed her dogs when she's away.

 

[Calliegirl]

I have an epson and they do that as well. I think a few brands do this now. Epson ink is expensive, so I haven't bought any since the original demo cartridges ran out. It's basically a scanner now. I go to the library if I need to print anything.

I've always disliked HP since they moved their CS out of the country and it's completely useless. I beta tested a few of their printers and we got to keep them in exchange for testing them. At the end of the testing they would ask us if we would recommend their products and why, and I always said nope because your products break down too often and your CS sucks.

 

[ledboots]

I print stuff at work, rarely need to these days. I had a cheap hp printer that never worked after changing the ink cartridge the very first time. :/