DELL PRINTERS: "FREE" AND NOT WORTH IT?

Webmaster note: This article is out of date and so are the models and pices but it remains a great example of the techniques the large companies use to trap customers into over priced supplies. We're keeping it up here as a sort of "archived document". To tell you the truth, I'm kind of surprised at Dell for going along with this scam in the first place. They've always been a good company in my humble opinion.

Say you just purchased a new home or office computer. It's got a bajillion megabytes of RAM, a gee-whiz drive, and oh, look—this computer comes with a brand-new printer, absolutely free. What a deal!

It seems counterintuitive that anything FREE could actually not be a good deal. But the real question may not be how much the printer costs—but how much it will cost you. Consider the Dell 720. For the better part of 2004, it came free with the purchase of a new Dell computer system. With a retail price of $89, this printer was a welcome addition to many households and offices. But on closer examination, it wasn't such a great deal.

The Dell 720 uses cartridges that cost $26.95 and $29.95 for black and color ink, respectively. At this price, you will pay between 10 and 18 cents per page.

Compare that cost per page to an equivalent Canon machine, the iP1500, whose cartridges—at $2.95 for black, $3.95 for color - will bring your printing cost down to a mere 1 to 2 cents per page.

The Canon, of course, isn't free. We offer it for $54.95. But:

• by the time you've replaced the cartridges on your "free" Dell printer once, you have, in essence, paid for the Canon.
• By the time you've replaced those Dell cartridges twice, you've paid the cost of the Canon PLUS 8 full sets of Canon black and color inkjet cartridges.

Still want that "FREE" Dell printer?

Here at thINK4inc, we're consumer advocates. We try to get you the best value for your printing needs. When we see you getting hosed, we tell you so.

Surprised? Don't be. It happens all the time.

Want to know a little trick being played on you by Lexmark? How about a little trick being played on you by Hewlett Packard?