Digital BW, The Print

Larry,
 
I am pretty sure Epson's model is the standard for the inkjet printer
industry.
 
From 1993 into 2000 I worked for a precision manufacturing company here in
Silicon Valley. One of our major customers was HP and particularly for the
many metal parts that went into their inkjet printers. Our marketing people
told me in the late 90's that the HP printer division's financial goals were
set at -1% to +2% profit. The expectation was that the serious profit would
come from the sale of ink cartridges.
 
About this time HP was selling a printer for $50 to $69 which used a set of
the black and color cartridges that sold for $45.
 
The fact that all the major manufacturers have competitively priced models
also suggest they are operating in a similar fashion. In any case switching
brands seems unlikely escape the business model.
 
Martin Wesley
 
(snip) 

In the end, I believe Epson has shot itself in the foot by pursuing this
market strategy and by pursuing legal remedies against its competitors as
well as trying to trap consumers in this way in the first place.  I for one,
can tell you that I will not be purchasing any Epson printer products in the
future even though the current Epson products that I use are of good quality
and produce excellent results.  I most certainly will seek printer products,
in other markets in future.

Larry Heath
  (snip) 


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