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Print 19 comment(s) - last by DigitalFreak.. on May 1 at 6:48 PM

The Epson Stylus Photo Edition D88 is one of hundreds of printers that reported incorrectly low printer ink levels
Epson's incorrect reporting of inkjet cartridge levels may result in cash for those eligible

Epson America, Inc. (EAI) is going to give consumers $45 aimed towards the purchase of printers and ink cartridges after the company decided to settle lawsuits in several states.  The lawsuits started after it was revealed that Epson inkjet printers and cartridges showed users that the ink cartridge was empty when it truly was not.  Dozens of by-state lawsuits were filed earlier this year, but this most recent announcement combines all outstanding litigation into a single US blanket class action instead.

The class action claims that anyone in the US who purchased an Epson inkjet printer between April 8, 1999 and May 8, 2006 may be eligible for a $45 per-printer credit purchased between those dates from Epson's online store.  Eligible customers can forfeit that $45 credit for a $25 check from Epson America, plus a $20 credit instead.  If the $45 combined credit isn't good enough, Epson will give 25% off items in the online store, up to $100, as a third option.

Interestingly enough, the settlement does not require Epson to change the thresholds at which the print cartridges report empty. Epson America claims it will make it clear on new products that even though the printer reports no ink a "saftey reserve" of ink still sits in the dispenser.

Eligible customers can visit the website www.epsonsettlement.com, set up by the law firms representing the class action, for more information.  The final hearing in the case is scheduled for August 15, 2006.

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Printing on E
By Bluestealth on 4/15/2006 3:57:43 PM , Rating: 3
I print on Empty on all of my printers until the colors or text starts to go, do people really use the program as an absoute guide as to when to put the next one in? and is it the ammount that it is left when it reports empty or refusal to print once it states empty that made them pay out?

IMHO those warnings should tell you to buy another cartridge, but to replace it before you can see that it is dead? why?




RE: Printing on E
By plewis00 on 4/15/2006 6:58:00 PM , Rating: 2
If it's anything like our printer (Epson Stylus Photo 950) it refuses to print anything at all until you replace the cartridges. You can print on empty for a while but when it (the printer) decides it is completely empty (regardless of whether it is or not) stops printing (even mid-page) until you replace one of its 7 cartridges (it will continue where it left off though). We always keep spares for this reason. I noticed on the cheaper printer models the cartridges do seem to have a mind of their own and will frequently run out much faster than they reasonably should.

It's clear why they get you to replace them before they are dead... more money for them. They also make a point of stating that refilling or compatible cartridges void your warranty so they really do have you by the balls.


RE: Printing on E
By Bluestealth on 4/15/2006 10:52:15 PM , Rating: 2
Buy Canon :), seriously that is messed up.


RE: Printing on E
By PrinceGaz on 4/16/2006 5:02:48 AM , Rating: 3
I agree, when considering an inkjet printer the cost of the printer is largelly irrelevant compared to the cost of the ink, and Canon offer the best value for money.

The sad thing for Epson owners is they're really only getting a $25 payment, the other $20 has to be spent at Epson's online store-- probably on more over-priced ink cartridges that will still falsely report when they are empty.


RE: Printing on E
By schwinn8 on 4/17/2006 8:16:24 AM , Rating: 2
quote:
probably on more over-priced ink cartridges that will still falsely report when they are empty.

Not "probably"... but DEFINATELY, as the arcile states "the settlement does not require Epson to change the thresholds at which the print cartridges report empty"

Another loss for the consumer *sigh*


RE: Printing on E
By bigboxes on 4/17/2006 12:08:44 AM , Rating: 2
It would help if you had experience with one of these printers before inferring that people that are not that intelligent and replace their cartridges on "advice" of their printer. The fact is that the cartrdiges are chipped and guessitmate the amount of ink that is being used. Quite convenient that they charge so much and last not so long. I was happy with my Epson C84 printer at first. Quick, quiet and the results were quite nice.

And then came the frequent ink tank changes and finally the ink heads clogged. I threw the whole unit away and purchased a Canon. I like it too. Even found some quality generic replacement ink tanks that are affordable. Unfortunately, Canon has decided to chip their own tanks now and cheap generic ink will not be available for some time... if ever. I don't know if the printer will stop printing based on the chip. Anyone have any experience with the new Canon printers?


that's retarded..
By y2chuck on 4/17/2006 11:37:46 AM , Rating: 2
just friggen print until the text starts to fade and THEN replace the cartridge. Consumers are stoopid. (yes I spelled that incorrectly on purpose)




RE: that's retarded..
By IsDanReally on 4/17/2006 11:59:28 AM , Rating: 1
You are the retarded one. As others have said, that is not easily possible with an Epson printer. To did it, you have disconnect power while the print heads are moving, then remove the cartridge, then power up and replace the cartridge, which only works on older model printers without chipped cartridges.


hmmmmmm
By y2chuck on 4/17/2006 12:50:58 PM , Rating: 2
that's what I used to do with my old Stylus 640.

If text = faded
replace cartridge.

Had to have quick hands to do it, but it worked since the SW sucked.


RE: hmmmmmm
By mstapley on 4/17/2006 9:38:31 PM , Rating: 2
This is such an old argument. Epson deliberately wastes a small amount of ink in each cartridge so the print head never runs completely dry and starts sucking up air, which in turns causes airlocks. You waste even more ink trying to clear air from the print head doing head cleans otherwise, than the tiny bit of ink Epson deliberately leaves in the cartridge. You always get at least the amount of ink out of the cartridge as is printed on the capacity on the side of the carton, so Epson is not short changing you. Most clone refills are poor quality, block the print head and fade quicker than the genuine cartridges. Simple fact is its cheaper for Epson to cave to the American lawyers than to fight it out to the bitter end when some crazy American judge might rule against them.


RE: hmmmmmm
By DigitalFreak on 5/1/2006 6:48:19 PM , Rating: 2
Somebody's an Epson shill...


Hot Dam!
By Tater Salad on 4/15/2006 3:55:15 PM , Rating: 2
I'm rich!!!




RE: Hot Dam!
By yzhu92 on 4/15/2006 7:08:09 PM , Rating: 2
I wish I bought my Epson printer from the US.


RE: Hot Dam!
By bradley on 4/16/2006 11:42:04 AM , Rating: 2
Obviously, I'll opt for the $25 check from Epson, as I will never again purchase another Epson printer.

Out three Epson Stylus 740 printers purchased -- one for myself, and two for family members -- all three developed print head problems within approximately the first eight months. And most people had realized that Epson's already stingy cartridges would always register low. I personally ignored the built-in monitoring system. Simply the amount of care and maintenance needed on these print heads makes them way too burdensome.

Therefore, I switched over to an HP printer with their print cartridges filled with a generous amount of ink, immaculate printing, and extremely reliable operation, and have never looked back.


RE: Hot Dam!
By Bacon Bits on 4/27/2006 7:28:02 PM , Rating: 2
Inkjets are a scam. Buy laser.


What a scam!
By tk109 on 4/15/2006 10:50:04 PM , Rating: 4
$45?? Wooptee freaking do! What kind of solution is that? So in the mean time we keep using these "broken" printers and lose money year after year. After years of use we lose that amount multiplied over many times in buying new cartriges we didn't need! They should have to fix this or give us new printers. Basicly they are saying it's ok to keep stealing from people. Because thats what they are doing. Come on this wasn't an accident. This was an intentional crime.

And I KNEW there were something screwy going on with my printer. I always kept an eye on the ink levels. But a lot of time out of nowhere it would just JUMP down and suddenly I'd have less ink. This is such a scam going on it's sickening. And I dont want to have to replace my almost brand new $600 Printer! This is really no big deal to them to give back that money because they will earn in back in no time with all of us having to buy ink more often when we shouldnt need it. They get a bunch of extra bussiness they shouldn't even be getting.




By PandaBear on 4/15/2006 4:01:42 PM , Rating: 3
It literally gives Epson the greenlight to continue what it is doing by giving 2-3 ink worth of refund. Meanwhile the lawyers make big bucks out of the settlement.

Now the only honest people in town are those ink refiller who has the ability to crack those "privacy" code on the ink cart.




...
By shabby on 4/15/2006 9:14:06 PM , Rating: 2
Good thing i went with cis for my r200, its like 10 cartridges for the price of 1.




I guess epson owes us $90
By GameManK on 4/15/2006 10:28:33 PM , Rating: 2
Though I think that first one was bought before 1999.
What is with that arbitrary date? Some of those printers (like the Epson Stylus Color 400 we used to have) were made before 1999.




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