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Why is printer ink significantly more expensive than a printer?

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  • 17-08-2020 9:16pm
    #1
    mr_fegelien
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 1,483 ✭✭✭


    It's well known that a printer is almost a "false economy" in the sense that the main component, ink, is way more expensive in the long run than the printer. Why is this?

    Not the same with a car and fuel.


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    #2
    Johnboy1951
    Registered Users Posts: 14,011 ✭✭✭✭Johnboy1951


    Because they can .......


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    #3
    joebloggs32
    Registered Users Posts: 1,613 ✭✭✭joebloggs32


    The printer is often sold below cost as a hook to get you as a customer.
    Once you have the printer, you then need to keep purchasing the ink, and that's where the manufacturer makes its profits.
    Its like Ryanair selling cheap seats, they make their profit from carrying your bags etc.

    A cheap printer is often a false economy. Spending more on say a laser printer will work out better in the long run.


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    #4
    dmc17
    Registered Users Posts: 3,743 ✭✭✭dmc17


    mr_fegelien wrote: »
    It's well known that a printer is almost a "false economy" in the sense that the main component, ink, is way more expensive in the long run than the printer. Why is this?

    Not the same with a car and fuel.

    The idea is that they then want you to buy brand compatible cartridges made by.... guess who?

    The car achieves this more so with spare parts than the fuel, since the manufacturer doesn't sell brand specific fuel.


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    #5
    smuggler.ie
    Registered Users Posts: 4,128 ✭✭✭smuggler.ie


    I'm sure you have seen this or similar...
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHX6tHdQGiQ
    history of boards 2021




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    #6
    alias no.9
    Registered Users Posts: 6,310 ✭✭✭alias no.9


    Startling revelation. There are plenty of printer offerings where you pay the full economic cost of the printer up front and get large quantities of ink included, they're much more expensive. It's your choice, cheap out on the printer, pay for expensive ink.

    In other news, network subsidised phones are cheaper but the monthly plans are much more expensive than SIM only plans.


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    #7
    MrMusician18
    Registered Users Posts: 7,406 ✭✭✭MrMusician18


    mr_fegelien wrote: »
    It's well known that a printer is almost a "false economy" in the sense that the main component, ink, is way more expensive in the long run than the printer. Why is this?

    Not the same with a car and fuel.

    Loss leader marketing strategy.

    Most famously used with razor blade handles and the replacement blades.


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    #8
    Dravokivich
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Music Moderators, Politics Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 22,360 CMod ✭✭✭✭Dravokivich


    alias no.9 wrote: »
    Startling revelation. There are plenty of printer offerings where you pay the full economic cost of the printer up front and get large quantities of ink included, they're much more expensive. It's your choice, cheap out on the printer, pay for expensive ink.

    In other news, network subsidised phones are cheaper but the monthly plans are much more expensive than SIM only plans.

    They work out cheaper in the long run when you break down the charge, into the services being offered. I spent 200 less on an S9+ by going bill pay, than I would have, if I bought a Sim Free handset.


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    #9
    jimgoose
    Registered Users Posts: 20,177 ✭✭✭✭jimgoose


    As said, manufacturers loss-lead with the printer and flah you for the ink cartridges. I run an 80 Euro Canon and it works out fine for me because I rarely need to print anything, but when I do it's bloody handy to have it on the network. Anyone needing to print in any quantity would be better off parting with more shillings for a half-decent laser printer, they're rather affordable these days.


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    #10
    alias no.9
    Registered Users Posts: 6,310 ✭✭✭alias no.9


    Dravokivich wrote: »
    They work out cheaper in the long run when you break down the charge, into the services being offered. I spent 200 less on an S9+ by going bill pay, than I would have, if I bought a Sim Free handset.

    All comes down to the difference in monthly rate on contract vs equivalent sim only and how long you're tied into the contract. Can't see the contract being less than 12 months and there are sim only plans with all calls and data available for between €10 and €15 so if you're paying less than ~€30 per month on a 12 month contract, you may indeed be coming out on top in the deal.

    Most people who buy cheap printers tend to print very little. They might buy one additional set of cartridges max after the ones in the box run out and that's it, the hardware loss will never be recovered by the manufacturer. These people are coming out in top in the deal.


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    #11
    sheepsh4gger
    Registered Users Posts: 622 ✭✭✭sheepsh4gger


    mr_fegelien wrote: »
    It's well known that a printer is almost a "false economy" in the sense that the main component, ink, is way more expensive in the long run than the printer. Why is this?

    Not the same with a car and fuel.


    Because there are suckers who will buy them.


    What I used to do is get a laser and buy my own refill powder on Ebay.


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