HELP!

I'm having serious problems with my printer/ink setup, which I hope someone can advise me on. My printer is an Epson 1160 and up until very recently, I have been using Epson cartridges - all fine and dandy. HOWEVER, now that one cartridge costs about the same as a small car (thanks to our plummeting currency), I have been forced to try alternatives, i.e. the dreaded generic, so-called "compatible" inks. Oh, horror of horrors!! The results are terrible - prints fade and colours change within weeks.

Has anyone else had such shocking results from compatible inks, or have I just picked a bad make? This one was "Longbow" (no idea where they operate from, but my local computer supply co. stocked them) and a shipment of even cheaper "Print-rite" (Korean?) cartridges has just arrived, which I'm now regretting having bought.

Does anyone know of Epson-compatible inks which:-

a) don't cost the proverbial body parts
b) don't go psychadelic within hours
c) can be sourced from reputable dealers who don't mind shipping to Africa?

Any help gratefully received!!

Sam

Hi Sam, Wow, I wish I could give you some good news but, alas... I tried the "generic compatable inks" in a couple of flavors and had zero success...just like your experience, fading, poor quality, etc. I have not heard of any inks for the Epson line that work as well as their propriatary ones. I am not sure about shipping costs from the US vs Europe but I do know that in some cases it costs more to ship the item than the actual cost of the item itself. You might try contacting Epson directly and explain your situation...perhaps they could come up with a solution. Good luck...Tom

I'm not a fan of "compatibles", except for circumstances where there's no OEM available (like for quadtone printing, etc.). I put a few respected suppliers in the links database, though. Whether they'll ship to Africa, I have no idea, but I believe one is English, which might increase the odds.

I always thought any company would ship anywhere as long as the client was willing to pay the charges?

Doug - you'd be surprised how many US companies don't ship outside US ... or even acknowledge the existence of some countries!

I had been led to believe (by unscrupulous salespeople?) that compatible inks were pretty much on a par with OEM - obviously not quite the case!!

Sounds like I'll have to re-mortgage the house to buy my next cartridge, then ;)

Thanks for your replies, tho'

Sam

Just curious but what do your cartridges cost there Sam?
I would think that each company keeps their specific ink formulas secret like they would any of their other products so I doubt you are going to get that specific ink unless you buy thier inks. I think we may have started having trouble with our printers after we put compatibles in them. All 3 of our Cannons went bad after we either did the ink refill or bought compatible cartridges. I can't say for sure if they caused it but I have my suspicions. I won't even try it with my Epson 2000.
DJ

Sam

I had a quick look through Dabs.com


http://www.dabs.com


But couldn't find your model but could have missed it. If you have no luck let me know.

DJ - last time I ordered the Epson cartridges they were Z$32,000 for 1 x black and 1 x colour. Using the official bank exchange rate (which nobody does!), that would equate to US$582 ...

Chris - many thanks for that link. They had Epson carts for my printer, at 14 pounds each, which is very reasonable. I'll have to see what they add on for P&P ...

Incidentally, does anyone use archival inks and papers and if so, what are they like, are they all they're cracked up to be, where do you get them, etc. etc.???

US$582 for two cartridges!!!!!!??!!!!!! :eek: I can't even imagine! I can certainly understand you wanting/needing to try compatible inks in those circumstances. I'm sorry that I don't have any advice for you (don't own an Epson yet), but I wish you luck in your search for an affordable solution. -Jeanie

I searched my discount site for printer supplies Sam but they don't ship there unless you buy $1000 worth but at least you would get more than 4 cartridges. Wow, that is just ridiculous!!! Why so much mark up? At any rate my site for cheap Epson cartridges is here (http://www.atlex.com/) I still doubt this site will do you any good. I will search and see if I can find something better that ships your way.

Yes, I use the archival inks. They are pigments rather than dyes so they look a bit different but they last far longer than any photo so I go for it. If I want to get them to look closer to the photos you get at the printers, I usually coat them with a photo gloss spray. That also helps protect them too.
DJ

Sam,

Was your cartridge listed as an 1160 or was it a different number ?

DJ - the reason for the huge price is that our currency is being kept at an artificially low rate (55:1), but on the black market, which, since the banks have no foreign currency, is what everone uses, is around 300:1. So suppliers have to cover their replacement costs. Then on top of everything there is duty - not sure what rate for printer cartridges, but some things (like cars) carry a rate of around 135%. It's crazy.

Thanks for the link - sadly, it looks like they don't do carts for the 1160.

These pigment inks - when you say they look different, like how different? The photo gloss spray sounds like a useful item - I've tried varnishing some of the prints I've used in mixed-media collages, to see how they fare. Something like a spray varnish might work too?

Chris - I look for the part number - the carts are the same as for the 760/860.

Jeanie - yes, I nearly fell off my chair when I heard the price too. My business is starting not to make economic sense any more ...

Wow, Sam
How does one afford to live in such a place? Especially if you like to own a car or electronic equipment. For that price, you could fly to Europe and pick up several cartridges yourself. It's a shame you don't have a decent government there. Wish I knew how to get around that one.
DJ

Sam,

How does the postal system operate especially foreign mail. With Mugabe being such a complete headcase is the stuff especially packages not opened ?

I read recently that something like 20% of all mail into/out of Zimbabwe goes astray ... and one postal worker was discovered with 2,000 letters and packages in his house, which he had stolen, thinking they contained cash!!

So, yes, there's always a risk involved - but then, there's not a lot of choice!

Completely off the point, I loved the latest speech by Mugabe, during which he made this interesting suggestion: "The British were brought up as a violent people, liars, scoundrels and crooks and I am told that Blair was a troublesome little boy at school. So we cannot have reasonable dialogue with such people."

It would be funny if it weren't so depressing ...

Sam,

The price you have to pay for ink is absolutely crazy! There is an Epson mailing list available from www.leben.com if you are interested. There are a lot of very informed folks there who are there to help. It might be worth it to sign up for the mailing list, but if you do, it might be smart to sign up for the digest form since the list has a huge membership, and it is very busy. I've seen a lot of talk on there about "Generation" inks, and I *think* they are generally thought of as being very good. Also, someone (I can't remember who) posted a link recently that pertains to the Epsons. There is a lot of good information on there, and there is a link to "Generations" inks, as well as others. In case you missed it, here's the link: http://home.att.net/~arwomack01/#troubleshoot
Best of luck to you in finding something suitable.

Ed

Thanks for your help, Ed and those links, which I am in the process of checking out right now. I particularly like the way the Leben lists link to discussions concerning: Epson, Digital, Scanning, Movies, Wine. Like they all go together naturally!

You're welcome Sam. I just hope you can find something useful.

Ed

just reading thru...i have an epson 870 and i bought ink for it in december at buy.com...13.90 for color and 17.35 for black. the shipping charge is what gets you, but i got it down to about 1.50 per by combining orders...the retail stores near me sell the ink for more than the prices on the epson web site....epson doesn't charge for delivery to chicago area...maybe to zimbabwe

DJ-i feel like i go thru ink like water. i'll be trying your discount site.

don

Don
I've ordered from them several times and were pleased with the service. They also have excellent deals on paper also.
DJ

Just thought you might be amused by this interesting fact I just picked up from a South African computer wholesaler:-

Price of one Epson ink cartridge (for 1160) = R430 (about US$32)
Price of brand new Epson Stylus Color 580 printer = R599

Makes sense, huh?

Sam, If the your currency is in free fall does your husband go shopping in SA with a couple of bales of currency ?

Disposable printers? Sounds like you might as well just keep buying printers if they cost pretty much the same as a cartridge. In that respect, I can't say I envy your location Sam. I would get very discouraged at that rate.
DJ

Chris - We used to laugh at the Zambians dealing in "bricks" of kwacha - now the boot's on the other foot! At least the government has recently issued a $500 note.

Getting Rands (or any other "real" currency) is a popular topic of conversation as it involves all sorts of cloak and dagger activity. Because the banks don't have any foreign currency, we have to get it on the black market, on street corners from extremely dodgy types - it's a risky business to say the least!

DJ - it's crazy, isn't it ... I wonder if Epson are aware of these prices.

Don't know how well known they are, but I work with these guys, and they've been awesome. They deliver fast, have great products, (I use their epson compatible "Enhanced Generations" archival inks BTW- and have been most impressed with the quality) and their customer service is top notch.

http://www.mediastreet.com

Hi Barry and HUGE thanks for the link - they look great - customer-friendly, happy to ship overseas and, even better, decent prices!!!

Cheers and thanks again,

Sam

Only just found your site today. Very interesting group of people participating. Living in South Africa I feel for Sam as the currency here is going the same way as the Zim$.

However, back on topic, I've been refilling Epson cartridges since early 1997 using NuJet inks. Several prints I made with my 800 Color using these inks still look as good as the day I printed them (hanging on a wall, behind glass). I recently bought a 2nd hand 1200 because the cartridges on these can also be refilled without the hassles of the 870/1270. Although I haven't done a refill on this one yet, I have bought the inks to try.

For the 800 anyway, I've really saved a fortune on inks by refilling.

Hi, BigAl & welcome to the site!

I've heard of people refilling cartridges, but had been led to believe that refilled carts can stuff up your printer - not a problem for you, though?

There's a crowd in Harare who advertise in all the papers "we buy empty cartridges for cash" - so that's obviously what they're doing.

Be interesting to see if anyone else has experience of refills.

Hi Sam,
I think the big thing is to go for inks recommended by people on the lists. That's how I found out about NuJet. Their quality is excellent on both Epson and HP. The only problem about NuJet for us, is that they don't export outside the USA. I fortunately have a colleague whose son is studying at MIT, so he brings ink out once a year when he comes home.

Another interesting option is the continuous inking system:
http://www.tssphoto.com/sp/dg/cis/index.html
I've thought about this, but don't print enough with my 1200 to warrant the costs.

Yeah - what is it about American companies that they're allergic to shipping stuff around the world? I've found that SO often. In fact I followed up BarryB's earlier suggestion on this thread and even placed an order with that company, only to be told (later) that shipping (for two Epson cartridges) would amount to $95. Excuse me????! Result: one cancelled order.

So your plan of getting someone to bring equipment out personally is probably the best way.

Your reason for not investing in C.I.S. is the same as mine - basically not worth the outlay given the relatively low usage of the printer. Sounds nice & hassle-free though, doesn't it? Perhaps one day ...

An ad I saw this morning:

Buy an Epson cartridge and get a free video movie! :lol:

Are you sure that wasn't "buy an Epson cartridge and get a free VCR"? It should be at that price!

I'm not a fan of "compatibles", except for circumstances where there's no OEM available (like for quadtone printing, etc.). I put a few respected suppliers in the links database, though. Whether they'll ship to Africa, I have no idea, but I believe one is English, which might increase the odds.

I always thought any company would ship anywhere as long as the client was willing to pay the charges?


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