So what are we to make of a scenario where printer ink can cost almost as much as a new printer and sometimes even more? People in the printer industry will tell you it comes down to the old razor and razor blade scenario where a company sells you a razor (printer) for next to nothing, and then makes up the money lost on the razor by selling you the razor blades (printer ink) at a higher price. That may not make you feel any better when you're shelling out cash at the till, but at least you'll know why you're spending so much on printer ink.

Moving Forward

The bigger question is this: Does it really make practical sense to purchase a new printer every time you need more ink? You also need to keep in mind the quality printer you are buying. Despite what the inkjet makers say, buying the least expensive inkjet printer typically delivers the least impressive printouts and images.

I suppose if you really wanted to follow the Earth Killer Method of replacing your ink, you could. But that means you'd have to haul a giant printer box home or get it delivered, unwrap the box, throw out all that Styrofoam, plastic, and paper, and then figure out what you're going to do with all those extra printers.

It's not a very practical solution, not to mention the pressure you'd put on the nation's landfills with all that extra garbage. So instead of risking the fury of Al Gore, it would be better to shop smarter and change your printing habits to maximize your printer's output.