- Report: #891300
Complaint Review: Lexmark - Internet Internet
Reported By:
raybanned -
norfolk, Virginia, United States of America
Submitted:
Updated:
-
Author Not Confirmed
Why?
Lexmark
Internet, Internet, United States of America
Phone:
Phone: (877) 856-5540
Web:
www.lexmark.com
Categories:
Business Rating:
(0)
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Lexmark fraud, misleading, have to buy color ink in order for black ink only to work, Internet, Internet
I was a previous owner of a Lexmark printer, but eventually some minor breakage with plastic hinges caused me to purchase another. I bought a different brand and was very disappointed. I wanted my Lexmark! So, I purchased a new one. First, the cartridge would not function properly and Lexmark replaced it with no problem.
However, now I want to print some documents in black ink only. I had used up my color ink when printing photos. The amazing thing is, I can't print with black ink only - I have to have color ink cartridges installed in order for print in black only to function.
I realize printer manufacturers rely on ink sales as their major income, but to manufacture a printer that will not print unless color cartridges are not empty is a consumer scam. Their explanation was that it would "burn up" if operating without color ink. Then why can't I just remove the empty cartridges? Because it wouldn't function, as most printer would not if there were no cartridges installed. I write a lot and print a lot. However, I cannot afford to keep purchasing color ink because I want to print in Black Only. If there are other printers on the market that cannot print in black only unless color cartridges are not empty, then I would like to know. I would also like to be informed that I would have to keep color cartridges full in order to be able to print in black only.Plus, Lexmark should not even have a button for "print in black ink only" if it is not going to work that way.
I was also given the reason why color ink must be present is that "print in black ink only" prints in grayscale, therefore using color ink. Oh really? Then why does it inform me that printing in black ink only will print in grayscale? Why even have a black ink only button, if you cannot print using only black ink?
I am so disappointed, I will never go back to Lexmark again unless they resolve my problem. I only paid 80$ for the printer. Wouldn't it be better for consumer relations to just replace the printer and still make hundreds of dollars off the ink? Does that not make more sense?
However, now I want to print some documents in black ink only. I had used up my color ink when printing photos. The amazing thing is, I can't print with black ink only - I have to have color ink cartridges installed in order for print in black only to function.
I realize printer manufacturers rely on ink sales as their major income, but to manufacture a printer that will not print unless color cartridges are not empty is a consumer scam. Their explanation was that it would "burn up" if operating without color ink. Then why can't I just remove the empty cartridges? Because it wouldn't function, as most printer would not if there were no cartridges installed. I write a lot and print a lot. However, I cannot afford to keep purchasing color ink because I want to print in Black Only. If there are other printers on the market that cannot print in black only unless color cartridges are not empty, then I would like to know. I would also like to be informed that I would have to keep color cartridges full in order to be able to print in black only.Plus, Lexmark should not even have a button for "print in black ink only" if it is not going to work that way.
I was also given the reason why color ink must be present is that "print in black ink only" prints in grayscale, therefore using color ink. Oh really? Then why does it inform me that printing in black ink only will print in grayscale? Why even have a black ink only button, if you cannot print using only black ink?
I am so disappointed, I will never go back to Lexmark again unless they resolve my problem. I only paid 80$ for the printer. Wouldn't it be better for consumer relations to just replace the printer and still make hundreds of dollars off the ink? Does that not make more sense?
3 Updates & Rebuttals
Roger
Tampa,Florida,
Same Result
#2Consumer Comment
Mon, January 12, 2015
I print infrequently. I noticed my ink levels were depleting after purchase of the Lexmark Pro905. I printed less than ten pages. Majority of print jobs were in black ink only. I reported these findings to Lexmark. The manufacturer sent me ink at no charge. Problem continued. Lexmark sent a new print head at no charge. Problem continued.
I stopped using printer. Today I replaced all ink, both black and three colors. I printed 15 documents using black only ink. My printer screen shows some depletion of color ink.
Very disappointed.
Striderq
Columbia,South Carolina,
U.S.A.
Color printers...
#3General Comment
Fri, June 01, 2012
My HP works the same way. I have to have some ink left in the color cartridges to be able to print documents out in just black. Go to one of the discount cartridge companies and don't buy new cartridges. it'll save you some money. My printer had this information in the instruction manual, your's might as well. In my opinion, it's not a rip off.
Robert
Buffalo,New York,
USA
I'm surprised.
#4Consumer Comment
Fri, June 01, 2012
I have a Lexmark Pro901 and it does print with black ink only (set as default.) You are correct that the other 3 color cartridges must be installed but, with my Pro901, they can be empty and the printer will still print in black ink.
I know of NO printer that will print with any ink cartridges MISSING (not installed.) Additionally, there have been RipOff Reports about other company's printers that will not print if a cartridge is empty-HP comes to mind.
If you print that much, perhaps you should upgrade to a more expensive model. An $80 printer, from Lexmark or any other company, really isn't going to be a very good printer.
I love the Lexmark Pro901 (it's discontinued but the Pro905 is still available.) It has a 5 YEAR warranty and the black cartridges are a miserly $5.
