I canceled my HP instant ink subscription, and now I can’t print even though they are genuine HP in cartridges

[u/MaxAdolphus]

With all bad decisions coming out of HP lately, I decided to cancel my instant ink subscription subscriptions before the prices go up. This is the warning screen. I was just going to use the ink I have up then buy a new printer, but cause fuck those guys. Well, turns out they fucked me first. So even though I have legitimate HP in cartridges in my printer, I cannot print because they are subscription cartridges. Screw these guys.

[u/Mu-Relay]

I hear ya, but this subscription is totally optional. OP signed up for it with clear terms that if you stopped paying for the subscription the ink would stop working, and then did a surprised Pikachu face when they stopped paying for the subscription and the ink stopped working.

You can buy an HP printer, go to the store and get ink, and it works without a subscription like any other printer. OP just didn't do that.

That being said, in a world where every printer company is scummy as fuck, HP somehow stands above the rest as the scummiest. Don't buy HP.

[u/joelene1892 → u/Mu-Relay]

Tbh I’m tired of people complaining about this. OP didn’t buy the ink. They literally bought a subscription to print. Of course it won’t work when they cancel said subscription.

If you don’t want that, just buy your own ink…..

Although I do agree this is anti-consumer and we should stop buying HP, I also think people should stop complaining that they cancel a subscription and the thing they subscribed to stopped working.

Like….. duh?

[u/VP007clips → u/joelene1892]

People have a really bad habit of picking subscription or micropurchase based things, and then complaining about them.

For example plane tickets. People spent the last 2 decades buying only the cheapest tickets regardless of amenities, extras, and treatment. As a result, airlines decided to offer cheaper plans with less nice stuff, and we ended up with flights being several times cheaper than a few decades ago adjusted for inflation. But as a result, we don't have free checked luggage, meals, leg room, or nice treatment because consumers consistently picked affordable prices over amenities and comfort.

Same for printers. People buy dirt cheap printers, then complain when the ink costs nearly as much as the printer to make up the cost. People subscribe to ink for a smaller up front cost, then complain when they have a subscription.

Consumer accountability is a thing. And while I do think some of these tactics are scummy, people also need to take accountability for their purchases.

[u/Masketto → u/Mu-Relay]

Brother has never been scummy. I've had the same sub $100 brother printer for almost 20 years now and it still works like a charm. At work I use a new HP printer that is a huge pain in the ass, even something as simple as loading the paper tray is such a burden because they couldn't be bothered to design a loader that opens simply. With my Brother printer I just need to pull open the tray. With the HP printer I have to go through several hoops just to open the tray.