Warm Up
Do you have a printer?
What is your favorite color?
What was the last thing your printed out?
Reading
The Truth About Cheap Printer Ink
Do you ever wonder why printer ink seems so expensive? It turns out there may be more to the story than meets the eye. Printer companies say that using third-party or refilled ink cartridges can damage the printer and void its warranty. However, this is not really the true. A recent investigation by Which?, a consumer advocacy group, has shed light on the issue of expensieve printer ink. So why do printer companies discourage the use of cheap ink?
Many printer makers sell their printers at low prices but make a lot of profit from selling ink cartridges. These cartridges often come with built-in chips that communicate with the printer, allowing it to detect when the ink is running low. Once the ink level is low, the printer may display warnings or even refuse to print until the cartridge is replaced. By selling printers at low prices and making profits from ink sales, printer companies can lock consumers into buying their expensive ink cartridges for the life of the printer.
In light of these findings, Which? is calling for greater transparency from printer manufacturers about the true cost of printing and the potential risks associated with using third-party ink. They also recommend that consumers consider their options carefully before purchasing a printer and explore alternative ink sources to save money in the long run.
Reading Comprehension
How do printer manufacturers make profits from selling ink cartridges?
What function do built-in chips in ink cartridges serve?
What do printer companies say about using third-party ink cartridges?
Discussion Questions
Have you ever noticed how expensive printer ink can be? What are your thoughts on the issue?
How much do you print out?
Do you think it's fair for printer companies to profit from selling ink cartridges after selling printers at low prices? Why or why not?
How important do you think print quality is when choosing ink cartridges?
Do you think printer manufacturers should be more transparent about the true cost of printing? Why or why not?
How do you think printer companies might react to calls for greater transparency about ink costs?
Have you ever tried using third-party ink cartridges? If so, what was your experience like?
What advice would you give to someone looking to buy a printer?
How do you think printer manufacturers could improve the durability and longevity of ink cartridges?
How do you think the printer ink market might change in the future?
