No, It’s Not!

Posted by Void on 11/28/2005

This Staples printer cartridge, clearly labeled “compatible with Epson T027201 color” didn’t work in my Epson Photo 820. Staples ink cartridges are not compatible.The printer couldn’t detect any ink in it. Not only didn’t the cartridge work, but it also hosed the printer. When I switched to a new Epson cartridge, it still couldn’t detect any ink. Oh, I did the obvious things: I cleaned the contacts, I even bought Epson’s special use-this-and-no-other cleaning solution to soak the inkjets. No good. “‘E’s kicked the bucket, ‘e’s shuffled off ‘is mortal coil, run down the curtain, and joined the bleedin’ choir invisible!! THIS IS AN EX-PRINTER!”
I should have known better. The electronics and the jet mechanicals are all designed for ink with a specific viscosity, the right amount of surface tension and with precise electrical characteristics. All so that the right size drop of ink will hit the paper at the right speed and splatter on the paper just the right way. It’s pretty amazing.
What you can’t read in this picture is the fine print to the effect that Staples is not responsible for any damage to my printer caused by their cartridge.
Thanks, Staples.
I’m not likely to buy Staples brand anything after this. Whether I switch to Office Max is still up in the air.

Categories: Bad Decisions, Technology. Tags: , , .

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