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@imagineyou wrote:

Time for some customer appreciation Dell.  Lower the prices & tell your execs. to take a small pay cut on behalf of us hard working folk trying to make a dime - not spend them all on your ink.

That's it - rant over.   I can't imagine it will accomplish anything anyway.  One does not often find too many decision-makers in a forum such as this...

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Geeezzz did I make such an impression or what?  The above statement will never happen. Most execs will see a company go belly-up than to give anything back. Only blue collar workers are asked to do that.  Give it time though, Dell is new in the printer game, soon there will be copies floating all around. Lexmark and HP did the same before Dell, now if you do a little research, you can find thier cartridges for half of what they charge. (even with those stupid computer chips built into the Lexmark ones.) But these remanufacturers need time to build up supplies and work around Dell's trademarks.

Oh believe me, that research was begun a while ago. I'll be a monkey's uncle if I'm going to just roll over and take those prices up the yin-yang.

Yes, you had something to do with it, Odius, but the rant was obviously fueled much more by the haughty conceit behind such business practices. As well as the dual nature of claiming to offer great services and low prices only to turn around and charge a ridiculous amount for ink.

As I understand it, one of the reasons capitalism works so well is due to its freely competitive nature. I sincerly hope you are correct that it is only a matter of time before Dell brings their prices down...for their sake!

Also - a good note on execs. and giving up any of their share of the pie.
*nods in agreement*

Unfortunately, many of those moguls at the top are concerned with the almighty dollar at the end of the day, not doing quality, customer-focused work.

At least we have each other to complain to, huh? ;)

Thanks for reading and for your insight.

Remember, first look for the ink cartridges that are inexpensive and a good value. (Some cartridges are cheap, but don't hold a lot if ink) After you find the ink with that quality, then look at the printers it was made for, and decide on one of those. It's kind of reverse shopping.

I am a senior and was aghast at what they charged for ink. I cannot afford this on social security so I went to Kalvin.com where they fill your ink jets for you. You send in your empties, they fill them and return them very quickly much cheaper than Dell. I paid $37.90 total for 1 black and 1 colored. It comes from Computer Business Works, Inc. but I just use www.Kalvin.com.  Hope this helps someone.

If anyone ever finds a printer that uses reasonably priced ink cartridges, please post it here.  It's getting to the point where it is cheaper to buy a new printer instead of replacing the ink cartridges.  This is true for all brands of inkjet printers, not just Dell.  I will concede that you can get generic replacement cartridges for other printer brands, but if look at it, it still is not a good value for what you get.  The best value is to get ink refill kits. 

Cliff

I must say, I'm very happy that this thread hasn't just become a place to rant (even though that's how I began it).

Thanks to all who have offered advice and suggestions. I am currently in contact with some inky peoples who will be able to clue me in to what printer has good quality paired with decently priced ink.

In the meantime, all hail the new Dell CEO, Kevin Rollins.

Maybe this guy will take a look at all the dissatisfied people who discuss how bad the prices are ON THE COMPANY'S OWN FORUM! And hopefully that will lead to some change...

*crosses fingers*

Excerpt from Sunday's New York Times Business Q&A with said CEO:

"Q. Dell has always been known for strong customer service, but a report from Technology Business Research dropped you down to No. 2 from No. 1. Are you doing anything in response?

A. Well, if you look at their latest, we're back up to No. 1 again. So we may have a bump from time to time. Usually what those bumps occur from is a growth spurt, where we get a little bit ahead of ourselves in terms of growth and then we have to go back and rebuild up the support efforts.

That is one of the hallmarks of our company, and it will always be, so you may see a blip now and again, but they're not trends.

Q. If that is such a big hallmark, how big of a deal is it when you see a drop to No. 2?

A. It's a big deal. We go crazy. Totally unacceptable. And, again, it's not new. We know, as we talk with customers every day, we didn't get surprised by the T.B.R. research; we knew about it here in the last quarter or two."

...good to see that customer service is at least a priority...

I should have alternatives to post soon...again, my thanks to all.

Imagine, Try this out for size. Remember, your printer is really a lexmark. I have a 940, and all I do is go and buy a Lexmark #83 cartridge for color and a # 82 for black. When I get home all I do is switch the lids of the cartridges. Lexmarks are identical to Dell except for the lids. Works perfect!!

The Lexmark tip is sound. I have a Dell 960, does anyone know what the Lexmark equivalent printer and cartridges are for this machine?

Thanks, and keep up the pressure!

how hard is it to switch the lids from the lexmark cartridges?  thanks

Use a small screw driver and carefully pry around the edges. There are 3 plastic snaps that run down the middle of the inside of the cartridge. They hold the top on. Concentrate on these, they usually pop right off. Be careful not to bend the top.  Good luck

I know that dell's a940 printer is really a lexmark, But do you think that they have a cartriges out that fit the dell without having to replace the ink lids and risk getting ink all over you? is the ink cheaper on ebay?

 I have been looking around on the net and most of the places only offered ink refill kits. Haven't tried e_bay yet. I'll check on them. 

I have checked on ebay there are a lot of sellers for the a940 ink. if you can please tell me if it's a better bargan. I have nothing against dell but ink is awful to buy. how does the recycling benifity us as the customers. when you look see if they ship ups I ordered my ink last friday and just got it today. thanks for your continued help!