Ink Cartridge refill kit

[Dreaming]

Has anyone used one of those fill your own ink cartridge kits with the 4 colours. If so, do they work? and how messy is it to do it?

[Buenchico]

Avoid, avoid, avoid!

I've tried using refill kits. They're awkward and fiddly. It's almost impossible to avoid getting ink somewhere it shouldn't be. (Usually on your hands or clothes but, more worryingly, inside the printer).

At one time there was a point to using these kits as they were the only way to avoid the extortionate prices charged by printer manufacturers for their 'original' cartridges. These days, it's just as cheap (or often cheaper) to buy complete cartridges from one of the many firms that offer 'substitute' products. The quality varies but I'll give you a couple of recommendations:

In shops, look out for the 'Print Aid' brand. I've frequently used these and always been pleased with the quality. (I bought a set of 4 yesterday, for my Canon printer, at �3 per cartridge).

For web orders, or by phone, try InkCycle: http://www.inkcycle.co.uk/
They're really cheap and incredibly helpful and efficient.

Chris

[Dreaming]

Thankyou for your reply, Yes, the price of the cartridges are ridiculous. But saw these refill kits and did think about getting one, but wont now. Thanks also for your link.

[qapmoc]

Hi, yeah I agree they can be real messy, but your hands can look real cool in multicolors until you get the inks out of your skin (not too easy)

[commoner]

To repeat what Buenchico says...... Avoid, avoid, avoid...and I would add...at ALL costs......I have tried many times but always with very limited success.....I have an Epson R300 which is a great printer but the Epson refills cost over 70 pounds a set and until just recently there were no compatibles....NOW things have changed and the refills I bought last week were 10 pounds a set......I must add that they are working really well and the colours are really just as good as the originals...don't let anybody tell you that the colours won't last as long because really, we will only know that in 50 years time........and they will at least be as good as refilling kits without the mess.

.......If you must refill your own then do it in a wet room/shower room or you will be sure to leave a permanent mark somewhere such as the dining room carpet with which your mum/wife/partner can point to at any time they want to berate you for something.......believe it!

[Mr.Tamzarian]

I would agree with Buenchico. I used one of these kits and it ruined my printer. Cartridges are expensive but if you can get someone else to pay for them, which I have now managed to do, then that's the way forward!

[BillyNoMates]

Well I would disagree with all the replies so far.

Fed up with paying over the top prices for new cartiridges, and also over the top prices for having my cartridge refilled at so called 'specialists', I bought a refill kit from a well known 'every little helps' supermarket the other week.

It couldn't have been easier. �9 for enough ink to refill 8 times. Works fine, the instructions were clear and if followed - no mess.

Works a treat and I would highly recommend it.

[Dreaming]

Thanks for all your replies. Think I will give the refills a miss!

[wideboy]

Another site worth considering is:-

http://www.printcartridge.net/acatalog/

[Dreaming]

Thanks Wideboy, the thought of spending a lot of dosh just on a printer cartridge, brings tears to my eyes!