kcj Loc: Seneca SC

Does anyone buy used epson 960 photo printers

elliott937 Loc: St. Louis

I just bought an Epson XP-970 printer. Out performed an HP and a Canon. I'm curious to see where this string goes.

Julian Loc: Sarasota, FL

Outperformed…how?

Sidwalkastronomy Loc: New Jersey Shore

I bought Epson etc 8550 eco tank
Keeps putting black lines on top corner of 11x14 prints. They replaced it and new one does same thing. I tried dire t print from SD card and use. Same issue. Waiting g on level 2 to get back to me

elliott937 Loc: St. Louis

Julian, Here's how the Epson outperformed my former favorite ... Canon, and then HP.

Neither of the two mentioned brands included a CD of the print drivers. Neither. So I first bought the Canon, and followed their direction to go to the Canon website for the print drivers. really? At their website, my model was not listed, anywhere. Then I tried calling them. The recorded message said I had to apply for a Canon account, which I did. On my next call, back to the same "customer service", the recorded message instructed me to tell them the phone number I used to join. I gave it, and the next outgoing message said my "one year of customer service had expired". During all this trip, there was no way to actually talk to a human. Done with Canon.

Then the HP, and by the way, this would have been a $400 inkjet printer. At MicroCenter, standing next to the salesman was an HP REP. I told them I would not purchase it unless there truly WAS a CD enclosed with print drivers. The rep knelt on the floor and tilted the big box. "Yes", he said, it has an enclosed cd with print drivers. I was also told that I should connect the HP to the internet via a direct line. I didn't have one where the printer would go, so I purchased an either net hub, and two additional cables that would be needed. At home, opening the box, I found (a) NO cd with printer drivers, and then (b) the big printer had no receptacle for an either net cable. Double lie, and no printer to use. Return back to MicoCenter. On that trip, there happened to be an Epson Rep. He not only assured me that a cd with print drivers would be enclosed, but he opened a box to show it to me. At home, I was able to install it, and it works just fine. I'm totally done with Canon printers and HP printers.

Julian Loc: Sarasota, FL

Thank you! Great informative response. Thanks for taking the time. Great timing because I am in the market for new printer right now.

elliott937 Loc: St. Louis

Keep us posted about what you actually purchase. This should not be complicated, yet it has become just that. I'm hoping my sharing my experience will assist you in making your own purchase. By the way, my Epson is their XP-970.
Bill

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

I cannot find anyone advertising to purchase used printers on Professor Google. What I do see is that Epson has a recycling program. AFAIK most of us use the printer until it is either worn our or ink is no longer available.

TonyBot

I have called Canon service for printer related (connectivity via WiFi) issues three times in the past few years - once as recently as a few months ago. This last time, the very helpful CS rep had me delete and then re-install a newer driver for one photo printer that is now five years old, and instructed me on how to make sure the correct driver was in a second, newer 'all-in-one', printer. (New Mac, old driver was Intel based) I have *never* been asked to create an account or give my phone number, nor have I been told my "warranty was expired".

Something doesn't seem right.

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

Boy this thread sure veered off topic in a hurry.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Do you have one for sale, or are you considering buying one?

In general, used printers are a bad deal. They are often worn out or not working, or old enough that parts and driver software are no longer available.

The MARKET LIFE of a printer is between one year for unpopular models to five years for more popular and professional models. Companies tend to sell ink for about five years after that. Software support usually ends when the operating system is upgraded in some major way, or three to five years after the last printer of that model left the factory.

All of that is to say, I start budgeting for my next printer when I buy one. I buy printers when they have been on the market for about six months, so most of the kinks are worked out, and reviewers have had time to evaluate them. All of the home printers I've ever owned "died" from lack of use. If they sit for any significant length of time, the ink dries out and clogs the lines to the heads, or it clogs the heads themselves. Brother, Canon, Epson, and HP, Lenovo... they all clog eventually. Ink lasts about six months once it is opened, and only about two years from date of manufacture. Pay attention to the expiration date on the box. It really matters.

If you buy a printer for home use, it will serve you best if you use it very frequently, as in once or twice or more times per week. Don't let it sit! At least run a test page weekly.

Bigmike1 Loc: I am from Gaffney, S.C. but live in Utah.

I had an Epson printer once. It used ink like it was going out of style. I have two Epson V600 scanners. They are great. Ain't too excited about Epson printers.

letmedance Loc: Walnut, Ca.

I picked a canon pixama MX 860 printer from the side of the road to recycle and tested it. The ink cleaning pad was saturated and with a short cleaning this printer the alarm cleared and wow.

Drbobcameraguy Loc: Eaton Ohio

I have had several Canon printers and they all have lasted until I decided to get a new one. I'm talking 6 years minimum. Now I have a pro-100 and most likely will use it until it dies. I even bought a spare print head just in case.

tcthome Loc: NJ

Same here. Pro 100, = love it. Had a Canon i560 general pupose printer a while back. Couldn't kill it but Canon stopped selling the ink for it.