Finding a printer is not easy!
By rosegardens
@rosegardens (3034)
United States
March 22, 2011 11:27am CST
Hello fellow Mylotters. I have been looking for an all in one printer that is relatively inexpensive and has really low-priced ink. My eyes are tired, and I am growing impatient from looking. I am dissatisfied with the ink prices on the printer models I have chosen so far.
I know I do not want an HP product, because the reviews on the HP are low. I am leaning toward a brother or an epson. I have a canon pixma but the ink is smearing and the printer needs to be replaced, the ink is SOOO cheap in this thing! I do not know if I want another Canon or not; I am not happy with the canon printer because even though the ink was cheap (roughly 2-3 USD a cartridge for an off-brand) it ate up the ink like a starving jackal.
Here is what I am looking for: A printer that has several reviews between 4.5-5 stars, is under $80.00 and the ink cartridges are under $13.00 for the name brand ink. If it is under $13.00 for the name brand, then surely the off-brands I buy will be a lot less.
Does anyone have any ideas on where to shop? I have looked at Staples, Office Max, Office Depot and various websites including Amazon for reviews. Does anyone have any recommendations for an inexpensive printer and ink? Thank you!
1 person likes this
6 responses
@rosegardens (3034)
• United States
22 Mar 11
Thanks. I did check out a Kodak but wasn't impressed with it. You like your HP? Lots of people are complaining about them now. They used to be great but in the past few years or so they are not making such a great product according to the reviews I am reading.
1 person likes this
@rosegardens (3034)
• United States
23 Mar 11
Wow, only 2-3 years? I got about 6-7 out of this Canon. Still think it is giving problems too soon, should last at least 10 years. That's what I think anyway. Apparently the printer companies do not agree with me! 
How is the ink cost on it?
How is the ink cost on it?1 person likes this
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
23 Mar 11
All I can say. Rose, is that you are really smart to do some research. I got an Epson all in one a couple of years ago. I only paid 35.00 for it which was a pretty good deal I thought. But then when I had to replace the ink...OMG! It's like 27.00 for each color and if you run out of one color, the printer shuts down. You can't even use just black. Other than that, I love it and have had no problem with it.
1 person likes this
@rosegardens (3034)
• United States
23 Mar 11
My ex boyfriend gave me a dot matrix printer years ago, and when it ran out of ink I couldn't get a replacement cartridge for it anymore. I already knew that ink was expensive from other folks online, so I was very careful to review not only the printer but the cost of ink. That's why I settled for the 2 Canons I had. When the first one tanked on me, I found an updated 3 in one that took the exact same ink cartridge! 
That is such a rip off the printer will not even work when it is out of ink. It is good you are happy with it though.
That is such a rip off the printer will not even work when it is out of ink. It is good you are happy with it though.1 person likes this
@rosegardens (3034)
• United States
23 Mar 11
Thank you! I have narrowed it down to a Brother. I cannot find a model under $200.00 that uses the cheaper ink, so the one I am looking at the ink is about $5.00 a cartridge discounted, and it takes all the different color inks! What can ya do?
1 person likes this
@speakeasy (4171)
• United States
22 Mar 11
Don't know if this will meet your needs or not; but, I got my husband a Brother all-in-one (MFC 3360C) from Staples online on sale for approx $50. Don't remember what the regular price was and for a $50 order the shipping was free.
I have no idea what the ink costs retail - it uses 4 cartridges LC51 (black, cyan, magenta, and blue); but, I can get 12 compatable cartridges (3 full sets) for less than $20 (including the shipping) on ebay - I just bought a set of 12 for $17.99 + free shipping about a week ago.
Hope this helps.
1 person likes this
@rosegardens (3034)
• United States
23 Mar 11
Not bad for the ink price! I did check this model out online for reviews, and it's not something I would shell out what they are asking for it. Now it is about $80.00. For 50, I would buy it too!
I was looking at a different model Brother, but the ink isn't as inexpensive as the one you have. Still looking! All the models I would have chosen have been discontinued! I can't believe how many reviews I have read, only to find the ones with the highest rating and the lowest cost ink are gone now. 
@manleyjoe (1597)
• United States
22 Mar 11
I have had pretty good luck with all that I have ever used, Lexmark, Cannon. I currently am using an Cannon and have a HP hooked to wife's computer. Both work well.
I usually trade up before they can wear out.
1 person likes this
@noorhizat (209)
• Malaysia
23 Mar 11
I have used an epson, Cannon, Hp and Lexmark. The best that I ever own is my current printer HP Officejet 7000 Wide format.
@manojkrs291 (482)
• Delhi, India
22 Mar 11
its not true that HP products' review are low as i am using HP products from a lot days and never got any problem in service and performance. Lots or all in one printers are available in market but which one to choose for you is the most difficult thing. everyone has different requirements and different budget.
@rosegardens (3034)
• United States
23 Mar 11
The reviews currently, at least for the printers I have chosen to look at because the price is fair, are not as favorable as they once were for the HP brand. I know they did great before, and a little shocked at the reviews I have been reading the past several days.
Glad you are happy with your choice! 
