HP Instant Ink or HP Instant Regret?
I generally try to keep my blog as a positive resource for other artists and creatives. However, I do feel like I need to warn you all about HP Instant Ink. Everyone wants to save money and get the best value they can. Let’s be honest ALL printer ink is way overpriced. It is literally one of the most expensive liquids on the planet (more expensive than human blood at least.) As parents, homeowners, and students we try to make the best decisions to be productive and save money.
This article will include some affiliate marketing links because I have found a printer brand that I am very happy with. I will share the brand at the bottom of this article, but first, let me warn you about HP Instant Ink., because, in my opinion, HP Instant Ink is a scam.
The Red Wizard and some paint he pushed around on canvas. I am a father of 3 and I don’t time for HP’s shenanigans.
Is HP Instant Ink a Scam?
Let me tell you a story about what happened to me and my HP Instant Ink subscription and you can decide for yourself.
About four years ago I purchased an HP Instant Ink compatible printer and a monthly HP instant ink subscription. At the time, like most people, I only needed to print out a handful of things each month for work and my art business. I was the ‘perfect’ target customer for HP Instant Ink service.
The way the HP Instant Ink subscription works is that you sign up for a certain amount of prints you are allowed to print each month. If you don’t use all of them, they roll over to the next month (for free). If you happen to go over your monthly allowance, your credit card gets charged for each print you make. I can’t remember the specific cost for each print but it is similar to how much it would cost at your local print/ copy center.
I paid for my Instant Ink subscription for over four years. Over those four years, I amassed a surplus of over 300 ‘free’ pages. HP makes it easy to see how many pages you have left each month so I planned on using those 300 pages to print some zines and business cards I would be tabling at.
A couple of weeks before the show, I popped in the new ink cartridge HP had sent me. After about 20 prints the ink ran out. I contacted HP and told them the ink ran out and that I had about 300 rollover pages I wanted to use. They agreed to send me two additional ink cartridges free of cost to print my project. When those ink cartridges arrived, They too only lasted for a handful of prints.
By this time the art show was only a couple of days away so so I went to my local office supply store and purchased official HP ink cartridges for my HP printer. I popped my new store-bought cartridges into my printer and something strange happened. After a couple of prints, my printer stopped printing. I looked at the small screen and it displayed a message that said my ink cartridges were not “HP Instant Ink” and my printer REFUSED TO PRINT USING HP BRAND INK.
To sum up this sh*t show: I paid HP for FOUR years and amassed hundreds of ‘free’ prints only to not be able to actually print them. Then when I purchased official HP INK at an additional cost, HP used some weird Big Brother technology to cripple my HP brand printer when I needed it the most.
Needless to say, this whole situation was gross. I am way too busy to dedicate an afternoon trash-talking a product but I was so upset and let down and screwed by HP. The fact that they remotely lobotomized my printer was just downright wrong. Oh, and to add insult to injury, it took me many attempts and over two billing cycles to actually cancel my service with Instant Ink after this fiasco.
But, don’t just take my word for it. Here are some common complaints hundreds of other customers have had with the HP Instant Ink service:
Limited ink cartridges: One of the most significant complaints about HP Instant Ink is the limited ink cartridges. The service only offers four different cartridges, which can be frustrating if you use your printer frequently. If you run out of ink, you'll have to wait for the next shipment, which can take up to ten days.
Overpriced ink: Customers have also criticized HP Instant Ink for its overpriced ink. While the service claims to offer cost savings compared to buying individual cartridges, some users find that they are paying more for ink than they would if they purchased cartridges separately.
Inconsistent print quality: Many customers have reported inconsistent print quality when using HP Instant Ink. Some have noticed that the ink seems to run out more quickly than expected, while others have experienced issues with the color accuracy of their prints.
Difficult to cancel: Another common complaint is that canceling the service can be difficult. Some customers have reported that they continue to receive ink shipments even after canceling, which can be frustrating and costly.
Limited printer compatibility: Finally, some customers have noted that HP Instant Ink is only compatible with certain printers, which limits their options when it comes to purchasing a new printer.
Is HP Instant Ink worth the cost?
It depends on your printing needs. If you print infrequently and don't mind the limited ink cartridges, the service may be a cost-effective option for you. However, if you print frequently and require high-quality prints, you may be better off purchasing individual cartridges or investing in a printer with a more robust ink system.
What Brand of Printer Should You Buy?
Personally, I am very happy with my BROTHER brand printer. After this HP Instant Ink fiasco, I reached out to other fellow professional artists. Unanimously they recommended Brother printers. I currently use a rather large Brother printer because I like the ability to print 11x17-inch posters, but they have smaller, letter-size-only printers as well. Because I make art prints, I prefer ink-jet printers. However, Brother also makes laser jet printers as well.
My Brother printer is very transparent about how much ink I have left. I can even see the ink in the individual “INKvestment “ cartridges. Please feel free to click the links below and look for a Brother printer that works for you. Any purchases you make will help support my blog.
Thank you and good luck!- The Red Wizard
